How do I organize the inside of my storage shed?

Organizing a storage shed can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With some planning and effort, you can transform your messy, disorganized shed into an efficient storage space. A well-organized shed will not only make it easier to find what you need when you need it, but it will also help protect your belongings from damage. Here are some tips on how to tackle organizing the inside of your storage shed:

Assess What You Have

The first step is to take everything out of the shed so you can see what all needs to be organized. As you unload the contents, create an inventory list of everything that was in the shed. This will help you see what types of storage solutions you need. Also inspect items as you unload them. Get rid of anything that is broken, damaged beyond repair, or that you simply don’t need anymore. If items can be donated or sold, set them aside.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you assess what is currently in your shed:

– What items are used most frequently and need to be most accessible? These will likely need a prime storage location.

– Are there items that could be consolidated or grouped together? Examples include garden tools, sporting goods, paint supplies, etc.

– Are there items that are not used often and could be stored in an out of the way spot? These would include seasonal decor, holiday items, infrequently used tools, etc.

– Are there items that need a specific type of storage like shelving, hooks, or bins?

– Do you have enough of the right storage items (shelves, bins, cabinets, etc.) or do you need to purchase more to better organize your space?

– Are there items that don’t belong in the shed and could be donated, sold or discarded?

Once you’ve taken inventory and purged unneeded items, you’re ready to start organizing!

Categorize and Group Like Items

The key to an organized shed is grouping like items together. As you return items to the shed, categorize them into zones or areas:

Lawn and Garden Supplies

Store all outdoor tools and supplies together:

– Garden tools like shovels, rakes, hoes, pruners, etc. Hang long-handled tools on a wall using tool holders.

– Fertilizers, soils, pesticides/herbicides

– Pots, baskets, and gardening gloves

– Lawn mower, edger, blowers, and other power equipment

Sporting Goods

Use shelves or stackable plastic bins to store:

– Balls, mitts, bats, golf clubs, tennis rackets

– Helmets, pads, shoes

– Camping gear

– Fishing rods and tackle boxes

Seasonal and Holiday Decor

Keep all holiday and seasonal items together. Label clear plastic totes for easy identification.

– Christmas, Halloween, Easter decor

– Artificial Christmas tree and ornaments

– Light strings and extension cords

– Seasonal outdoor decor like flags and wreaths

Infrequently Used Items

Store items you only use occasionally on higher shelves or toward the back:

– Camping equipment

– Sports equipment out of season

– Suitcases

– Holiday gift wrapping supplies

– Documents in storage boxes

Household Overflow

Utilize space for extra household supplies:

– Cleaning products and equipment

– Light bulbs, batteries

– Paper products, laundry detergent

– Food storage containers and freezer bags

Tools and Hardware

Use a toolbox, cabinets or shelving to neatly organize:

– Hand tools like hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches

– Power tools like drills, sanders, saws

– Nails, screws, picture hanging supplies

– Paint, wood glue, caulk and other building supplies

Miscellaneous

Random items that don’t fit other categories:

– Bikes, scooters

– Tarps, tie downs, rope

– Tables and folding chairs

– Pet supplies

Add Storage Solutions

Once you’ve sorted items into categories, look critically at your shed layout. Add storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, bins, baskets, hooks, and other organizers to efficiently stow items and maximize your space. Consider:

Wall Shelving

– Perfect above workbenches or to store small containers and supplies off the floor

– Can double stack shelving units to maximize vertical storage

Freestanding Shelving Units

– Available in wood, metal, plastic in various sizes

– Great for sporting goods, lawn and garden supplies, seasonal items

Cabinets

– Provide enclosed storage for chemicals, tools, and valuables

– Upper cabinets provide additional storage overhead

Bins and Baskets

– Plastic bins and baskets to categorize and contain items

– Clear bins allow you to easily identify contents

– Stackable bins conserve floor space

Hooks

– Screw hooks into walls or sides of cabinets to hang tools

– Some hooks pivot or slide to maximize use of space

Specialized Racks

– Pot racks to hang planters out of the way

– Drying racks for hose and ropes

– Tool racks and plan holders to organize workspace

Workbench

– Sturdy workbench to provide workspace for projects

– Add pegboard above to hang tools within reach

– Use small parts organizers to hold hardware like nuts/bolts

Sloped Shelves

– Angle narrow shelves to store paint cans, chemicals, and oil to prevent spills

Maximize Vertical Space

Don’t limit yourself to floor space – utilize vertical walls and ceilings:

– Install shelving all the way to the ceiling for seasonal items or infrequently used items. Use a small ladder to access.

– Hang tools, ladders, hoses, and cords from ceiling hooks or racks to get them off the floor.

– Use wall space for mounting pegboard, shelves, cabinets and organizers.

Add Flooring

Flooring helps transform your shed into clean, dry usable space:

– Plywood flooring creates a smooth, seamless subfloor.

– Interlocking plastic or rubber tiles are an affordable and durable flooring option. Easy to install.

– Paint concrete floors with epoxy paint for a protective surface that won’t flake or peel.

Let There Be Light

Proper lighting is essential to a functional shed:

– Install electrical outlets if possible.

– LED shop lights are affordable, energy efficient and provide bright illumination.

– Install lights over workbenches or hang from ceiling.

– Use motion detecting lights that automatically turn on when you enter shed.

– Place battery operated lanterns on shelves for portable lighting.

Add Interior Walls

Interior walls create organized zones:

– Frame out separate areas to define workspace, tool storage, garden supplies, etc.

– Use pegboard or slatwall paneling to hang tools and supplies.

– Paint walls bright colors to liven up space.

Workbench

A sturdy workbench provides necessary workspace for shed projects:

– Build a custom workbench or purchase a premade one. Waterproof the top.

– Include drawers, shelves and storage cubbies for organizing tools.

– Install a vise to securely clamp projects.

– Use pegboard to hang tools within reach above the workbench.

– Add a stool for comfort while you work.

– Consider powering bench with electrical outlets and task lighting.

Lawn and Garden Zone

Conveniently store outdoor tools and supplies:

– Use wall mounted holders to hang long handled tools like rakes, hoes, shovels.

– Store pesticides, fertilizers, soils on shelves away from heat and moisture.

– Use a cabinet with interior hooks to hang coils of hose and rope.

– Hang tarps from hooks on wall or ceiling. Roll or fold them neatly.

– Use large plastic bins to store pots, gardening gloves and accessories.

Seasonal Storage

Keep holiday and seasonal decor organized and protected:

– Store decorations in clear plastic bins labeled by holiday.

– Pack fragile ornaments carefully to prevent breakage.

– Use space saving ideas like collapsible fabric bins and under-bed containers.

– Place artificial trees in their original box to keep branches contained and undamaged.

– Set infrequently used seasonal items on high shelves.

Tool Storage

Organizing tools makes them easy to find and prevents damage:

– Store hand tools in a toolbox or cabinet with divided drawers. Shadow box tool outlines on drawer bottoms.

– Hang hammers, pliers, wrenches and screwdrivers from pegboard hooks or a slatwall. Store like tools together.

– Use shelves, cabinets or stacked bins for power tools, nails, screws, hardware.

– Keep painting supplies together – brushes, rollers, trays, tape, caulk, etc.

Sporting Goods Organization

Neatly store all your sports gear and equipment:

– Use shelving with bins to sort and contain balls, gloves, pads, helmets, shoes. Label bins clearly.

– Hang bikes from ceiling hooks or wall mounted bike racks to save floor space.

– Install hooks on wall to hang tennis rackets, baseball bats, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks.

– Use an old golf bag to store clubs or lean them neatly in a corner.

– Store folded camping chairs in mesh bags. Hang foldable tables from hooks.

Pet Storage

If storing pet supplies, contain them neatly:

– Use sealable bins or baskets to store food, treats, bowls, leashes. Keep dry food in airtight containers.

– Place litter boxes on mats in out of the way spots. Scoop regularly.

– Use baby gates to partition off a pet area.

– Designate space for pet beds and toys.

– Store pet shampoos, brushes, nail clippers together in a caddy or bin.

Add Accessories

Accessorize your storage shed to maximize functionality:

– Post visual organizational charts – hang tools in designated areas.

– Use magnetic bars to hold nails, screws and metal parts.

– Attach heavy duty utility hooks inside cabinets or on walls.

– Use small parts storage containers to organize hardware like nuts, bolts, and washers.

– Label bins, shelves, drawers, and cabinets so anyone can quickly find items.

Maintain and Refresh

Keep your organized shed looking great:

– Make shed cleaning and organization part of your regular routine.

– Have a place for everything and return items to their designated storage spot after use.

– Inspect all items each season and discard or donate anything unused.

– Refresh paint, lighting, flooring, shelving and other elements as needed over time.

Conclusion

Organizing your storage shed is an achievable project that pays off in convenience. By categorizing like items, adding storage solutions, maximizing space, and incorporating accessories, you can transform an overflowing mess into an efficient storage wonderland. Just tackle one area at a time, and before you know it you’ll have a shed that makes storing and finding items a breeze. Maintain your organizational systems once in place, and your shed will stay clutter-free for years to come.

Storage Item	Recommended Storage Solutions
Long handled yard tools	Wall mounted holders
Pesticides, fertilizers, soils	Shelving
Hoses, ropes, tarps	Hooks, cabinets with interior hooks
Pots, gloves, accessories	Plastic bins
Balls, mitts, pads, helmets	Shelving with bins
Camping gear	Plastic bins, shelves
Fishing rods, tackle boxes	Vertical storage, shelves
Seasonal decor	Clear labeled bins
Artificial tree, ornaments	Original packaging, wrapped separately
Infrequent use items	Higher shelves or toward back
Cleaning supplies	Shelving
Tools	Toolboxes, cabinets, pegboard
Bikes, scooters	Ceiling hooks, bike racks
Tables, chairs	Fold up, hang from hooks
Pet supplies	Bins, baskets, shelving