Genius Shed Organization Ideas

Have you been in your shed recently? Is it possible to walk from the door, all the way to the back wall without tripping or stepping over something? If not, you aren’t alone.

Shed organization and storage is an ongoing battle for most homeowners. While this may seem like a never ending battle, there are some tricks, tips, and ideas you can use to get your shed organized once and for all. So check out these genius (but easy to implement) shed organization ideas!

white shed with open doors and shelves of potting supplies

My husband calls sheds storage buildings, but I think we can all agree that the small building out in a backyard can quickly become over run with all of the “extra” yard stuff that doesn’t fit anywhere else. So, it’s easy to see why it’s cluttered.

For us, we usually have to “batten down the hatches” once a year in preparation for a hurricane, so shed organization becomes crucial for us. We’re trying to fit any backyard items that aren’t “nailed down” in our shed, and if it’s organized ahead of time, our job is much easier.

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There are many different ways to organize your shed or storage building space, and here are some ideas to get you started:

Install a Magnetic Bar for Hand Tools

What do most tools and garden helps have in common? If you want to keep your hand tools visible and available, install a magnetic bar.

This shed organization tip is not a new idea, but it’s a good one. This magnetic strip from Master Magnetics is perfect for those tools you use regularly.

The key to using a magnetic bar is making sure you get one that’s strong enough to hold your heavier items, such as a hammer. Once installed, you’ll always know where your often-used hand tools are.

Use Hooks For Shed Organization

Tangled hoses and cords can be a real headache. However, if you just throw them into your shed randomly, this is bound to happen. I am speaking from personal experience here.

However, there’s an easy fix for this all-too-common issue. Use hooks to organize and hang your hoses, cords, lawn equipment, and more (find a guide on buying wheel hoes from Easy Digging here). This is an easy and affordable fix that is going to make a huge difference in your shed organization. Steel hooks, like this set from Shepherd Hardware, are a steal at only $10 for the set, and you’ll be able to hang a multitude of items.

In fact, my husband uses these for hanging our leaf blower since it has a handle that can easily slide onto the larger hook. (And if you’re looking for outdoor hose storage, check out my review of Liberty Garden’s hose cart.) The double hooks, which are holding up our weed eater and edger are perfect for heavier items.

Hang Your Small Tools on a Pegboard

Smaller tools, such as hammers, mallets, and saws can easily be shoved out of the way and forgotten if placed on a shelf. A pegboard installed on the wall of the shed gives these important smaller tools a place to hang until ready to use. This keeps them off of shelves and off of the floor.

Pegboards can easily be installed between studs, and the cost for a pegboard makes them an affordable organizational tool for any garden shed.

Use a Clamp-Style Hanger

I cannot say enough about this incredibly useful addition to our shed. We use a clamp style holder for all of our shovels and rakes. This keeps them off of the floor, which is less hazardous and much neater. The clamps are easy to install on the studs of the shed, or as we’ve done, you can use a board that has been drilled into the studs for support.

These clamps are probably my favorite thing we’ve put into our shed to get it organized.

rakes and shovels hanging in garden shed

Use Empty Buckets as Caddies

If you are into reusing items, a great idea is to turn an empty bucket into a storage caddy. For example, you can take your galvanized paint bucket and use it as a storage container for your garden hose.

All you have to do is drill several holes in the bucket’s bottom and screw it to the wall. Wrap your hose around the bucket and then place items like paintbrushes inside – this makes it functional and you are doing something good for the environment. Larger buckets, such as this large one we’ll eventually transition into a rain barrel, can also be great storage for garden stakes, and other tall items that never seem to find a home.

Use rafters in the Shed Space

If you have a shed that has rafters, put them to good use. Scrap pieces of wood, pieces of gutter or siding, and anything else that could easily get in the way, can be placed between rafters. This is especially helpful for storing wood if your shed tends to get wet in rainy weather. Wood sitting on the floor can easily be damaged when it comes in contact with moisture.

You can even build out a little extension to your rafters, as my husband did in the image below, to give you a bit more space for shed storage. This again keeps things off the floor, making your shed a much easier space to navigate.

Install Wire Shelving

Wire shelving is a smart option for any garden shed over wood shelves. Wire shelves are going to let the light through, which makes it much easier to find items in areas where they may not be much light otherwise. Choose from free-standing wire shelves to wall mounted types.

Also, wire shelving can stand up to water much better than wood. If your shed is outside, you are bound to have some moisture intrusion, so wire shelving is a good thing. If you’re concerned about items falling through the wire shelves, then head to your local hardware store.

There you can find plexi material that can be cut to size and set on the wire shelves. This keeps anything from falling through and makes a flat shelf surface.

Make Your Shed Organization Work for You

As you can see, there are several things you can do to optimize the space in your shed. There are more than a few things you can do to get organized and stay that way. I’d love to know if you have added any organization to your shed that has worked well for you. Comment below and let me know! Have a great week and happy gardening!