Shed and garage organisation ideas to make life easier

Our guide to the ultimate shed and garage organisation so you can keep things tidy

Shed and garage organisation: a shed on a lawn and a wall of spanners

by Marina Avraam |
Updated on

Gardening is a hobby that inspires relaxation. All your worries are left behind, and you're one with nature – it’s just you and the birds. So why is it that gardening sheds are often the least relaxing spaces to be in?

Between spades, forks and watering cans being thrown around, our garden sheds are commonly used as a dumping ground. We get it, gardening is enough without the struggles of maintaining a clean shed, and with so many bits and bobs, it can be difficult to find a home for everything.

Related: The best garden sheds for outdoor storage

The same can be said for our garages; the tendency to overload these spaces with junk or items we don’t want to deal with is more common than we'd like to admit. Everything seems to end up there - old files, picture albums, old bikes, old paint cans, car batteries, broken suitcases – the list goes on. But, with another period of being stuck at home, there’s never been a better time to buckle up and tend to that messy shed or garage that you’ve left for far too long.

Sometimes, it’s the sheer fear of not knowing where to start that prevents us from making a start. To make it easier, we’ve provided you with some top shed and garage organisation tips.

Shed and garage organisation tips

1. Empty your space

This one might be obvious, but we recommend taking every single item out of your shed or garage and starting from scratch. This will give you a completely clean slate, so you can reorganise all your items and make the most of the space available.

2. Use storage shelves or boxes

Chances are that your space is messy and cluttered due to a lack of storage options. Luckily, simple shelving units and storage bins can make a huge difference, helping you neatly pack away all your things. Ensure that all your most-used items are in an easily accessible spot to avoid moving things around and creating a mess.

3. Hang items to save space

Hooks, pegboards and tool hangers are another great way to make the most of vertical space. Magnetic or Velcro strips can also be added to any walls for tool storage. If you’re lacking wall space in your shed, don’t worry – you can easily attach hooks, hangers and strips on the inside of your shed door to make the most of your space.

To make things simpler, we have listed the best storage items to buy, to up your shed and garage organisation game.

Related: The best gardening tools | The best gardening books

Best shed and garage organisation items

Editor's pick

Shelving units are a quick and easy way to organise all your unused items, tools or gardening bits. For under £50, you can get these double heavy-duty shelves, each holding up to 175kg of weight. The shelves have a rust-resistant coating, meaning theyu2019ll last you a while! Make sure you add all your essentials to an easily accessible shelf, and donu2019t forget to keep heavier items on lower shelves.

Gone are the days where youu2019re rummaging through large toolboxes, hopelessly searching for the right spanner. Pegboards are a hassle-free way to free up space in your shed or garage, as well as declutter work surfaces. This sturdy pegboard comes with 42 attachments and an abundance of storage slots, so you can find a home for allof your tools.

Best wall-mounted hooks
Assorted Storage Hooks Wall Mounted
Price: £29.09

Simple hooks are another good way to prevent tools from laying around your shed or garage workbench. This set of six includes two small, medium and large hooks to suit a variety of tool sizes. All you need to do is mount these to any wall or door and start hooking.

Best basic shelving units
AmazonBasics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit

Rrp: £64.99

Price: £55.99

Made of durable steel, this is another great option for a shelving unit. You can easily adjust the shelf height without any tools, and store heavy items such as toolboxes or gardening supplies.

Related: The best gardening gloves

Best for gardening tools

This easy-to-assemble tool stand will house all your tools, be it rake, hammer or broom. Sturdy and functional, this tool holder is also extremely compact and will fit nicely in any corner. Itu2018s recommended that this unit be screwed to a wall surface for extra safety, especially when storing top-heavy tools.

Best wall organiser

This storage bin wall unit was designed to solve all your organisation-related problems. Including 30 storage bins varying in sizes, the unit will fit virtually every garage tool and gardening gadget you own, making your life easier.

Best wall-mounted rack
Direct Online Houseware Two Tier Tool Rack
Price: £37.86

Free-up your workspace with this two-tier tool rack. With 11 hooks, you can attach this rack to a door or wall to keep all your essential tools within easy reach. Boasting an easy installation process and sturdy material, you'd be smart to make this rack your next storage solution.

Best heavy duty tape

If youu2019re looking for something quick and affordable, the Velcro stick-on tape might be the best way to go. Free of any lengthy installation process, all you need to do is peel and stick. The Velcro can be applied to a variety of surfaces, indoors and outdoors. The superior holding power will allow you to secure items without the need for any nails or screws - the special adhesive ensures long-lasting durability.

Best tool organiser

Like the Velcro strip, this magnetic tape is another hassle-free way to organise your shed. These sturdy, carbon steel magnetic strips come in sets of three and can be screwed to any flat surface to free up space and hang all your important tools.

Best tool bag

Thereu2019s nothing like a gardening bag to help organise your life and keep all your essentials in one place. This tote material bag contains multiple pockets of varying sizes for all your tools and any other nuts and bolts you may need.

Related: Organise your home on a budget

Best organiser for small pieces
Draper 12014 Plastic Organiser with 12 Drawer
Price: £46.95

If youu2019re looking for a table-top organiser, look no further. With this simple 12-draw unit, all your bits and bobs will finally find a place to call home. You can use this unit as free-standing on any surface, but the slotted holes in the back also allow for wall mounting if preferred.

Best garden storage box
Keter Marvel+ 270L Garden Storage Box u2013 Grey
Price: £83.69
Alternative retailers
Walmart$20.99View offer

Thereu2019s nothing like a nice box to store away anything you wonu2019t be using for a while. Made of durable and weather-resistant material, your gardening tools are sure to be kept dry and safe in this sturdy container. Whether itu2019s a hose, watering can or anything else, the lockable feature will also ensure all your items are 100% secure.

What to read next:

Best garage shelving ideas for garden and DIY tool storage

The best small garage conversion ideas

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Marina Avraam is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, and also works for Mother&Baby. She has a passion for psychology, reading and fashion writing.

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