How To Organize Your Garden Shed

With the change of seasons comes spring cleaning in our homes and gardens. You’ve been getting your yard and garden spruced up. But now it’s time to tackle the garden shed. Maybe your shed became a dumping ground during the winter months. In the late autumn, you stored all of the garden decor that needed protection during the winter. Then seasonal decorations and holiday gifts got stored in there and the mess started to pile up. Let me show you how to clean and organize your garden shed for the new season.

To Organize Your Garden Shed, Start With Cleaning…

Determine Your Shed’s Function

The first thing you need to do before you start your spring cleaning is to determine how you are going to use your garden shed. Are you strictly using it to store your tools, pots and supplies? Is this where you pot up flowers on a potting bench? Do you use your garden shed for other activities such as entertaining, relaxing and crafting? How you actually use your garden shed will help you to organize it more effectively.

I use Pinecone Cottage for a variety of activities including storage, relaxing, crafting, entertaining, flower arranging, planning and as a place to retreat. Currently, I don’t pot up flowers in my shed. I have an outdoor potting bench that I use for that purpose. This way I keep the dirt and moisture to a minimum. What activities do you enjoy doing in your garden shed? Knowing this will help you to create appropriate work zones.

Remove The Clutter

Once you know your shed’s purpose it’s time to start cleaning. Plan for a few hours or longer to work on your shed. Pull out all the items that have accumulated since last summer and autumn. These could be tools that you stuck in there last fall. Or it could be things that you stored there temporarily. If these items have a home elsewhere, take the time to return them to their original home. For things that will go back into your shed, set them aside for now. Group them according to like items if you have a lot of things that are out of place.

"Clean Your Shed" Checklist

Clean Your Shed

Before we organize our supplies, we need to clean up any messes. It’s hard to feel organized with a pile of dirt and leaves hanging out. Here are some basic cleaning jobs to consider.

Use a broom to knock down any cobwebs in the upper corners.
Wipe down all of your surfaces and shelves with a whisk or dust rag .
Wash your windows. You’ll have better light in your shed with sparkling clean windows.
Wipe down your door to remove dirt and smudges.
Shake out or vacuum any rugs that you have in place.
Sweep the floor

Make A List of Projects

Now is a good time to list any projects that you want to accomplish in your shed this year. Do you need to make any repairs such as damaged shelves or floor boards? Is it time to repaint the walls or floors? Are there any major changes that you want to tackle?

Create your list of tasks, large and small to work on when you have more time. I like to choose one major project each year and a few smaller jobs to complete. You might be able to complete all of them during the summer months or make just a few improvements. Plan for and do what you can.

Next Organize Your Areas…

Create Zones

The best way to get your shed organized is to create areas that serve specific functions. This will help you to keep everything you need in one place. As you create your zones, return items that were removed.

Seed Storage: You need a place to keep your seeds during the growing season. Create an area where you can leave your seeds for quick access. This is not a place for long-term storage unless your shed remains cool during the hot summer months. Instead this is for grab and go when you are in the middle of spring planting. I like to use vintage lunch boxes for my seeds so I can take them into the garden with me.
Garden Tools and Gloves: You need an area to store your hand tools for easy access. A large bucket or crock can hold a variety of tools. Another option is to hang them on a rack inside the door. You could also have a hanging rack to store your larger tools during the “off” season.
Lounging area: Not all garden sheds will be large enough for a day bed or couch to relax on, but you might be able to squeeze in a chair. This is a great place to grab a few minutes to yourself. Use it for reading, updating your gardening journal, writing a note to a friend, meditating or just sitting quietly after a busy day in the garden. Be sure to include a cozy blanket for crisp spring mornings and a place to set a cup of coffee.
Crafting Corner: If you enjoy creating garden crafts, then try to include an area where you can store your tools and supplies. Store your flower press, craft tools and hot glue gun in your shed for a spur-of-the-moment crafting. You might find it helpful to store some basic supplies in a tool box or garden caddie. If you have your main supplies handy, you will be more likely to spend time crafting instead of stopping to run to the house to grab an item.
Storage Shelves: If you have a large selection of garden pots, boxes and containers than having a storage area is a good idea. Shallow shelving is easier to access than really deep shelves. Put the heaviest items on the bottom shelves and lighter items on top. If you are stacking vintage pottery, consider putting a layer of fabric or craft paper in between for protection.
Floral Storage: Your shed is a good place to store your faux flowers, branches and garlands. Set aside an area to make access easier. I have found floral buckets are a great way to store spring branches and long stemmed flower bunches. For small greenery and flowers try to find a box with compartments. Wine bottle boxes make the perfect size with 12 compartments. Each compartment can be filled with smaller floral bunches. Although I love fresh flowers, I will frequently use faux flowers for longer lasting decorations such as porch decor.
Basket Storage: If you hoard baskets like I do, then your shed can be a great place to store the extras. You want to store then out of the way but easy to access when you need one for a gift or to use in your displays. A few options for storing baskets can include hanging them from a full length chain, hanging them on hooks from your rafters or stacking them on a shelf.
Command Center: Include an area where you can make yourself reminder notes. This could be a chalkboard to write on, a cork board with push pins or a shutter and clothes pins. Get creative to come up with your own system for leaving yourself garden reminders. Also, consider adding a calendar to keep tract of planting times and upcoming garden activities.
Miscellaneous Items: Include hooks to hang your garden aprons and a light jacket. A stool to sit on at your work table or potting bench is a must. Keep a broom and dust pan handy for quick clean ups.

Add Your Favorite Garden Touches…

Decorate Your Shed

Finally, after you have gotten all of your work zones organized, it’s time to add some personal touches to your shed. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

light strands
seasonal garland
garden signs
watering cans
vintage tools
small ladder
birds and nests
seasonal wreath
outdoor rugs
decorative pillows
garden style books

Just like when decorating your home, you’ll want to edit your vignettes and details. If you have too many decorative items, your garden shed will look like a cluttered mess. Consider rotating your garden decor from season to season so you can thoroughly enjoy each decorative piece. And don’t be afraid to get rid of the excess. I have a tendency to keep things because I might need them some day. But they tend to get buried. So instead of keeping too much, hold on to the special items and consider donating or gifting things that you don’t love.

We spend a lot of time in our garden sheds during the spring and summer months. So start the season off fresh with a garden shed clean up. You’ll be glad to have a spruced up place to work, entertain and relax!

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