Shed organization ideas + 20 must-see real-life examples!
This article goes out to all of those whose outdoor shed has become a bit of a disaster. Perhaps it is a holding place for out-of-season yard decor and hobbies that have been temporarily sidelined.
If your heart beats DIY, you probably have unfinished projects in the shed, too. Hey…no judgment here. 😉
Hobbies, seasonal decor, and DIY projects are not the enemy! You can hold all of that (and more) in your shed if it is properly organized. It IS important to weed out anything from the shed that you do not realistically plan to use, reuse, or revamp.
Once everything “extra” is trashed, recycled, or donated, it is time to make sure that your shed organizational system works for you!
5 Tips To Help You Organize Your Shed
1. Completely empty the shed.
This allows you to clean the shed’s floor and interior. Choose a happy weather day for this!
2. Downsize what returns.
Now that the shed is empty, be INTENTIONAL and HONEST about what is allowed to return. You may need to trash broken items, donate items you don’t expect to use, or recycle certain products. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something valuable to sell, too!
3. Store documents and photos elsewhere.
Do not store valuable paper documents (including photos) in your shed. You should keep these safely in your home where they are weather-protected (and not as easily accessible to thieves)!
4. Protect your turf from rodents.
Avoid hoarding food in your shed – whether it is surplus from a Costco-run, birdseed, or even pet food! You will instantly become a 5-star rodent AirBNB should you choose to keep food outdoors!
5. Consider the extreme temperatures.
Avoid storing any items in your shed that may warp in extreme temperatures. Musical instruments and electronics, for example, should not be stored outdoors.
Want a cleaner, clutter-free home? Get going even if you feel pinched for time! This free list of 60 places you can declutter at home in as little as 5-minutes at a time!
20 Shed Organization Ideas
1. Hanging Garden Tool Organizer | Pretty Handy Girl
Yet another clever idea for how to use an over-the-door shoe holder! Is there anything these multi-tasking storage powerhouse tools can’t do? If the holder is too long, just grab a pair of scissors and cut out the rows you don’t plan to use. The key to STAYING organized is labels, labels, labels!
2. Mounted Wire Baskets | Bless My Weeds
Take advantage of vertical “dead” space by attaching wire baskets to your shed’s door! The baskets will corral collections of objects that will otherwise be strewn about the shed!
Also, if you plan to store the children’s outdoor play toys here, make sure that the baskets are low enough for them to easily grab what they need.
3. Shed Door Extra Storage | The Bee Keepers Digest
Pegboards are certainly the workhorse of every woodshop! They definitely pull their weight in shed organization, too!
Check out how the use of a pegboard transforms an ordinary door into a utilitarian gem! Be sure to keep your “go-to” tools and miscellaneous items here!
4. Wall-Mounted Pipe Storage | The Cavender Diary
Pictured here is a fun, eclectic idea using plumbing pipe for shed organization! With the simple addition of “s hooks,” this plumbing pipe becomes VERY functional.
Pretty much anything can be hung with an s hook!
5. Magnetic Strip Storage | The Cavendar Diary
Magnetic strips originally designed to hold knives in the kitchen can most definitely find a new home in the outdoor shed! Using the magnet strips for all kinds of goodies (what a perfect way for paintbrushes to dry!).
They will keep those small items tidy and OFF the floor or counter – or whatever surface they are currently cluttering!
6. Spray Paint Storage | Anyone Can Decor
Any crafty or DIY person out there is bound to have excess spray paint cans and caulking tubes! Here is a great way to keep those products tidy and easily accessible.
Believe it or not, these white shelves are made from vinyl rain gutters!
7. Mounted Bucket Storage | REI
If you have some extra paint buckets lying around, here is a vertical storage idea for more shed organization! Just add a board and some screws, and you’re ready to roll!
The circular shape is perfect for small foldable chairs, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads!
8. Open Bin Outdoor Toy Storage | Family Handyman
Check out Family Handyman for plans to build this custom storage bin that would add both style and organization to the shed.
The taller space in the middle could hold the gardening tools with longer handles. And the bins are perfect for gloves, seeds, and other shed-essentials!
9. Pegboard Tool Storage | Woman in Real Life
I like how this project uses rustic trim pieces to frame in the pegboard. You could always leave the pegboard in the size that Home Depot sells it in (48 by 96 inches), but most people don’t have that kind of wall square footage to spare.
So you’ll probably end up cutting the board to a more desirable size, and trimming it makes it look more “finished.”
10. Stackable Wooden Crate Storage | The Garden Glove
There’s just something nostalgic about wooden crates! If you don’t have access to a vintage selection, you can always buy wooden crates at most home improvement or craft supply stores.
This is a great modular solution that allows you to customize your shed’s available storage and organizational space. When you move, the boxes will move with you, too.
11. Power Tool Wall Storage | Young House Love
Heavy-duty bicycle hooks are great for hanging and organizing heavy equipment in the shed! To maximize space, hang a ladder over a double door opening to the shed.
The ladder can easily be moved out of the way for the (seldom) times that both shed doors need to be opened! Smart!
12. Lawn Tool Storage | Newly Woodward
This DIY idea will bring a ton of functional storage to your shed! It can be made using scraps of PVC and wood. I like the detail of having the base pipes rest on wood instead of resting on the concrete. That would definitely help the shed floor stay clean!
13. Screwdriver Storage | Homemade Modern
I am in LOVE with this aesthetically pleasing screwdriver work of ART! Check out how they made it as a DIY – and scroll down their post to see some fun pics about how you can use this as a hanging rod.
14. Verticle Bike Storage | Growing Family UK
Using vertical space to store your bikes frees up floor space in your shed! Plus, you’ll get a little upper body workout when retrieving and returning your bike, too!
15. Small Workbench for Shed Organization | Family Handyman
A fully functional shed would definitely need a workbench for small projects or potting plants. Check out the plans online for how to build a study (and economical) workbench.
16. Wire Shelving Tool Storage | From House to Home
Do you like to reuse and revamp items you already own? Here’s a great idea on how to use a simple wire shelf (you probably have an extra one somewhere!) inside of the shed. It’s a perfect solution for keeping longer yard tools organized and in place.
17. Between the Stud Storage | The Handyman’s Daughter
If your shed has exposed studs, here is a great way to maximize the available space! All you need is a saw, a few boards (maybe use some of that scrap wood), a level, and some nails.
18. Mason Jars and Lazy Susans | Rita May
If your shed needs to house a collection of small bits and pieces, then this rolling jar system is just for you! It’s never a bad idea to keep those small brads, nails, and miscellaneous screws because as soon as you toss it, you’ll end up needing it!
Corralling odds and ends into clear jars means you can actually SEE what you have, too! And the circular jars on the circular lazy susans are the perfect way to maximize your cabinet or shelf space in the shed.
19. Labeled Bin Shed Storage | Design By D9
Sorting your essentials in plastic totes (matching, of course!) will help your shed stay organized. Don’t forget to label the bins! Without a label, plastic boxes will plummet from functional organizational systems to mysterious boxes that are n’er to be opened again.
Your life will be so much easier (and cheaper because you won’t be prone to buying duplicates) if you know where you’ve stored your shed essentials.
20. Hardware Organization | The Handyman Homemaker
If you don’t have much available shelf space in your shed for storage, here is a great way to reclaim the vertical space under an existing shelf (or under a row of cabinets).
Mason jars add a certain farmhouse vibe, but you could also use baby food jars or other glass jars with universal lid sizes.
So, are you ready to reclaim the disheveled shed and bring it back into order and function? I’d love to know if you try and tackle yours!
Looking for more organizing ideas for your home? Check these out:
Pin these shed organizing ideas for later! And if you try one, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know if they want to use one of these tips, too!
Ready to get control of the clutter and chaos at home? Here are 60 places you can declutter in just 5-minutes at a time. Grab your free copy now by clicking here or on the picture below:
Leave a Reply