8 tips for optimizing and storing your garden shed

Gardening tools, outdoor leisure equipment, garden furniture, bicycles… for DIY enthusiasts and gardening enthusiasts, the garden shed is a practical storage space. Here are our practical tips for organizing it well.

The garden cabinet

The garden cabinet keeps the space organized in your garden shed and protects tools and sensitive products (plant protection products, fertilizers). For added security, especially when children are present, this cabinet can be equipped with a lock or padlock, thus limiting access to toxic products such as slug repellent or paints.

The cabinet shelves are perfect for holding buckets, watering cans, as well as various gardening accessories:

• Small items, such as seeds, labels, clips or cups, can be placed on the cabinet shelves.
• Small hand tools, such as transplanters or pruning shears, can be stored in the cabinet doors, which often have pre-arranged compartments for quick and easy access.

Standing shelves

Standing shelves offer a practical solution for organizing and storing a variety of objects (tools, accessories, products, etc.). You can find them in DIY stores in different materials:

• Metal shelves, particularly robust, are ideal for storing heavy tools or for large loads. Galvanized metal is particularly recommended, as it is resistant to humidity, temperature variations and shocks.
• Resin shelves are lightweight, easy to assemble, and suitable for installations where wall mounting is difficult.
• Wooden shelves, although more economical and modular, require a garden shed that is well insulated from humidity to avoid deterioration. Plywood can be an interesting alternative to classic wood, as it is more resistant to humidity.

To maximize storage space, you can also use wall shelves that free up floor space and can be installed above doors, windows, or even in corners. Rack shelves, with their modular rails, are also an excellent option for adjusting the height of the shelves according to the objects to be stored. Deep shelves, on the other hand, are perfect for storing bulky items such as deckchairs or cushions.

Transparent boxes for easy navigation

Opt for transparent plastic containers over closed storage boxes to see the contents of each box at a glance without having to open them. This makes it much easier to find tools and other stored objects. These containers are particularly useful for storing small tools, gardening products, or supplies. Placed in cabinets or on shelves, they maximize space while maintaining impeccable order.

In addition to being economical, transparent plastic boxes are also very resistant. They withstand the sometimes harsh conditions of garden sheds, such as humidity or temperature variations, and effectively protect their contents.

A rack

A rack in a garden shed allows you to better organize your tools. You can efficiently hang large tools that tend to clutter the floor, such as:

• a shovel
• a rake
• a pickaxe
• or even a brush cutter

However, it is advisable to leave larger and heavier objects, such as a lawnmower or scarifier, on the ground.

The rack, whether made of rails or grids, has the advantage of keeping your tools upright, while making them easily accessible. A quick glance is enough to quickly spot the tool you need. You can also install a rack for small DIY tools above the workbench.

Coat hooks and pegs

Hooks and pegs allow you to invest the wall space of your garden shed. By using the walls to the maximum, you free up floor space, benefit from better organization and facilitate access to your tools and equipment.

The installation of sturdy hooks on the wall is convenient for hanging large handled tools, such as shovels, rakes or hoe. These hooks can also be used to hang bulky items such as:

• Folding chairs,
• Tables,
• Deck chairs,
• Bicycles, etc.

By alternating the heights of the hooks, you can maximize the storage space available on the wall.

The coat hooks, as for them, are ideal for hanging lighter objects such as baskets, watering cans or your garden apron. For even more efficient storage, a system of racks with grids can be installed.

A garden hose reel

A garden hose reel, also called a hose reel, allows you to store your garden hose in an orderly manner, avoiding kinks, knots and clutter on the floor.

The garden hose reel comes in two main models:

The wall reel attaches directly to the exterior wall of your shed, near a water point, using suitable dowels. It can be mono-directional, unrolling in one direction, or multi-directional, allowing mobility from left to right for easy guiding of the hose. This type of reel is particularly practical, because it frees up floor space while keeping the garden hose within reach.

The trolley reel is mobile and follows the user’s movements. It is mounted on a chassis equipped with wheels, making it easy to move around the garden. The height of the trolley hose reel handle can be adjusted to suit the user’s height, providing additional comfort.

A trolley on wheels

A rolling cart allows you to store various tools and materials while being easily movable according to the needs of your activities, whether for gardening, DIY or other work. The cart, also known as a workshop trolley, is often equipped with several drawers and a tray to efficiently organize small equipment, such as:

• Screwdrivers
• The hammers
• Keys (flat wrench, adjustable wrench, etc.)
• The limes
• The screws
• The bolts
• Washers, etc.

You can store your tools by size and model to make it easier to find your way around when you’re doing DIY.

The trolleys on wheels are available in several models: in a fixed version with stable feet or in a mobile version, equipped with wheels for easy movement in the garden shed or outside.

A worktop or workbench

A work surface or workbench is particularly useful in a garden shed, especially if you want to do DIY or prepare your seedlings and cuttings there.

The workbench can be chosen:

• in fixed version,
• mobile on wheels,
• or even folding for small spaces.

A mobile workbench can be moved outside, allowing you to enjoy the sunshine while you work. For DIYers who don’t want to invest in a full workbench, a simple solution is to use sawhorses with a solid wood or composite top, providing a flexible work surface.

To maximize organization, consider installing a backsplash or pegboard above your work surface. These pieces allow you to hang small hand tools, making them easy to access when you need them for DIY or gardening tasks. Lighter, more frequently used tools, such as screwdrivers or hand hoes, will find a home on these wall mounts. Under the workbench, you can also add storage such as shelves or plastic crates to organize your tools and materials.

By incorporating storage solutions such as garden cabinets, well-placed shelves, a functional workbench and clever coat hooks, you will transform your shed into an organized and practical place.