15 Best Shed Organization Ideas and Hacks

Jan 14, 2024

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You need some shelves.

Got a mess in your shed? Join the club. Even the neatniks among us sometimes just toss garden tools, potting mix, and unfinished projects in our sheds and close the door. It's only a shed, right? Wrong! Your tool shed or storage shed shouldn't become one gigantic junk drawer. If you’re tired of tripping over shovels or whacking your knee on piles of stuff, it's time to take charge. If you can't find anything in there, or if it's stuffed to the max, it's time to go on a shed organization spree.

Shed organization is a lot like closet organization: Take everything out first and figure out what should stay or go. Start with the obvious. Dried-up cans of paint you’re never going to use again? Buh-bye! Broken shovel? So long! Leaky hose? Outta here. Ditto for any projects you never got around to; this is a no-judgment zone. If you’ve got an unfinished project (like that bench you keep promising you’re going to restain), decide if it still matters to you. There's no shame in giving yourself permission to let go of something when somebody else might be able to use that item.

Next, stack like items together so you can see what you have left: All the tools, all the stuff you need to repot plants, all the lawn equipment. Hacks like adding shelves, using wall hooks, and even creating overhead storage racks can maximize your available storage space. You’ll be surprised how much extra room you’ll gain just by getting things off the floor.

One final hint: Don't store anything biodegradable in your shed, including outdoor chair cushions, landscape fabric, or even cardboard boxes, which are all potential nesting materials for rodents! Ditto on birdseed: Make sure it's stored in a metal lidded can (they can chew through plastic).

Read on for the best shed organization ideas to help you clean up your mess.

It's easy to mount screw hooks directly into a wood wall or install a strip of wood for mounting the screws. Small gardening tools such as hand trowels can hang neat and tidy, ready for your next gardening session.

SHOP SCREW HOOKS

Purchase a wall rack to hang all those things you're tired of tripping over, from the broom to the edger to the loppers. It will free up floor space too.

SHOP WALL RACKS

Just like in your bedroom closet or bathroom, the back of the door can provide additional storage space. Here, lightweight tools hang from large decorative hooks on the inside of the shed door.

SHOP STORAGE HOOKS

A hose rack works just as well inside your shed as it does outdoors. Instead of tossing an unused hose on the floor of the shed, mount an inexpensive hose hanger to corral it.

SHOP HOSE RACKS

Awkward-to-store items like these kayak paddles can hang on the outside of your shed. Measure to make sure the brackets are deep enough to accommodate what you're trying to hang.

SHOP WALL BRACKETS

Small items like garden stakes, plant supports, and flower hoops can stand upright in a five-gallon bucket, as seen in the lower right corner of this photo. It's a cheap and easy way to stash similar items together.

SHOP FIVE-GALLON BUCKETS

A small wooden shelving unit can be tucked in a corner of your shed. This one is stacked with wooden boxes to keep small gardening tools and items together and easily accessible.

SHOP SMALL SHELVING UNITS

Metal tools such as snips, utility knives, and screwdrivers can stick to a magnetic strip. It not only keeps them organized but the ends won't get banged up or dulled. You can also find the tool you need in a glance.

SHOP MAGNETIC STRIPS

Pegboard can go on a wall to keep your shed's interior tidy. We love how pegboard hooks can be rearranged to accommodate new tools so you're never stuck with the same setup.

SHOP PLASTIC PEGBOARD

Organize all pots, soil, and fertilizer by adding a potting bench inside or outside your shed. Your new workstation will also be more convenient and easier on your knees and back. No more having to kneel down on the ground every time you repot a plant!

SHOP POTTING BENCHES

Even the tiniest bit of space is utilized in this garden shed by mounting a small ledge above the window. It's just deep enough to keep the watering can handy and accessible.

SHOP WALL-MOUNTED SHELVES

This wheeled storage rack can accommodate more than 30 tools. Assembly isn't super-complicated, so it's perfect if you're new to DIY-ing.

Another option is to tuck this tower in the corner to keep all your long-handled tools neat and organized. It holds up to 30 items.

This storage cart holds items such as shovels and rakes, but you can also stash small hand tools and larger lawn equipment such as string trimmers in the rack on its side.

You'll have no idea what you did before you bought these beauties! These heavy-duty reusable hook and loop straps are perfect for wrapping up extension cords, hoses, and rope. The heavy metal grommet makes it easy to hang. Trust us: These things are genius.

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She's passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

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