When you first buy a shed, it may seem like you have more storage space than you know what to do with. However, the space often gets filled up faster than people think. Having a shed that’s too full can be overwhelming - here are some tips for maximizing the storage space in your shed and minimizing the chance of a future headache.
Get Rid of Unnecessary Items and Consolidate What’s Left
First things first, in order to maximize storage space in your shed, it’s essential to clear unnecessary items out. A general rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used something in a year or more, it probably doesn’t need to be in your shed. So, try to only keep items that are useful to you in your shed. Otherwise, it’ll just end up being filled with odds & ends you don’t use.
Next, after taking an inventory of what’s inside your shed and taking out unnecessary items, figure out if there are any items that you can consolidate or combine. For example, multiple bags of bird seed or fertilizer can be combined and put into a sealed container. Plus, the items will last longer when stored in an airtight container instead of a box or bag!
Give Everything a Home
When organizing your shed and making the most out of your storage space, it’s incredibly beneficial to give all of the items in your shed a designated spot. It also helps to store similar items together.
For example, create different places for gardening equipment, woodworking tools, painting supplies, and whatever else you store inside your shed. That way, when you begin a project, you’ll know exactly where to find the needed tools and equipment.
Stack it Up
If you have a lot of boxes or bins in your shed, it’s a good idea to invest in some stackable storage bins that are made to fit together. That way, instead of struggling to stack bins of different sizes together without toppling over, you’ll be able to stack everything easily and neatly, while saving space in the process.
While you’re at it, you may also want to consider labeling your different bins so you know exactly what each one contains without having to rummage through them. After all, in order to maximize your shed’s space to the fullest, it’s crucial to know where everything is when you need it!
Repurpose Household Items
There’s no right or wrong way to organize a storage shed. In fact, there are a number of organization ideas that require no more than the items lying around your house.
For example, empty jars and cans can be used for storing anything from small tools and hardware to flower seeds. This is a simple, effective method for keeping small items together and preventing them from getting lost.
Additionally, putting an old bookshelf in your shed is a great way to store toolboxes, gardening equipment, and more. What’s more, you can even paint the bookshelf to add a pop of color to your shed’s interior.
Utilize Overhead Space
When it comes to making the most out of the storage space in your shed, don’t underestimate the power of overhead storage. Getting items off the floor is a surefire way to make your shed feel more open and much less cluttered.
One method for gaining a lot of extra storage space is to build an overhead loft. With a loft, items will be kept off the floor and out of the way, but still easily accessible overhead. U-lofts, for example, are built around the shed’s perimeter and make an excellent place for keeping storage bins and boxes. Some sheds even come with lofts already pre-installed, giving you additional storage space right off the bat.
Tidy Up Regularly
Maximizing storage space in your shed isn’t a once-and-done deal - it’s an ongoing process. That said, it’s important to take the time to tidy up and clean the space on a regular basis. Clutter accumulates faster than you may think, so staying on top of tidying and organizing will help to make sure that your shed never feels overcrowded.
A general recommendation is to clean and tidy up your shed once a season. This is also a great time to rearrange your shed’s contents so that the most-used items of the season are closer to the front and easily accessible.
All in all, while maximizing your shed’s storage space takes some time and effort, it most definitely pays off in the long run! If you’re in the market for a new storage shed, check out our selection at Shed Solutions today.