9 Garden Storage Solutions That Don't Include a Shed
Keep your outside space in order with these clever storage ideas for shed-free gardens
The traditional way to store garden tools and equipment is in a shed, but what if there’s no space for a mini building in your back yard? There are plenty of practical alternatives that will keep your garden neat and clutter-free. Check out these clever ideas to create must-have storage for your outdoor zone.
Get meshy in a side return
The passage at the side of a property is a great place to add storage. It’s a practical area for your clutter, as it keeps it out of sight from the rest of the garden.
Here, a metal grid has been cleverly attached to a wooden frame and extends up over the path as a roof. You can buy mesh like this at a builder’s merchants, and use S-hooks for hanging items. There’s a space for everything, including plant pots, garden tools and watering cans.
To add some shade, encourage a climbing plant to grow over the roof area. Dappled light and fragranced flowers will create a lovely environment to potter in.
The passage at the side of a property is a great place to add storage. It’s a practical area for your clutter, as it keeps it out of sight from the rest of the garden.
Here, a metal grid has been cleverly attached to a wooden frame and extends up over the path as a roof. You can buy mesh like this at a builder’s merchants, and use S-hooks for hanging items. There’s a space for everything, including plant pots, garden tools and watering cans.
To add some shade, encourage a climbing plant to grow over the roof area. Dappled light and fragranced flowers will create a lovely environment to potter in.
Take a layered approach
This contemporary garden is all about neat, sleek lines and no visible clutter. In order to maintain a look like this, it’s vital to have some storage, and here there is plenty of space under the platform.
Before you construct your decking, ask an expert how to incorporate a design like this. You’ll need to make sure the interior is waterproof, and that the ground is prepared with a gravel or concrete surface. The hinges on the doors should be galvanised to prevent rust.
For easy access to the items you’re going to store, consider buying plastic bins on castors that can by wheeled in and out.
This contemporary garden is all about neat, sleek lines and no visible clutter. In order to maintain a look like this, it’s vital to have some storage, and here there is plenty of space under the platform.
Before you construct your decking, ask an expert how to incorporate a design like this. You’ll need to make sure the interior is waterproof, and that the ground is prepared with a gravel or concrete surface. The hinges on the doors should be galvanised to prevent rust.
For easy access to the items you’re going to store, consider buying plastic bins on castors that can by wheeled in and out.
Store toys in tubs
It’s lovely when children spend hours playing outside, but they do have a habit of leaving toys strewn everywhere when they’ve finished. Make tidying up easy by putting out some buckets with easy-to-read labels on them.
Use an old wooden shelving unit as a storage frame, so the buckets have somewhere to live. The solid top shelf will also act as protection, to prevent rain getting into the buckets. Screw hooks to the sides of the shelving unit for hanging up items such as skipping ropes and hula hoops.
As an alternative to metal buckets, you could use rubber trugs. The soft handles on the sides make them easier for a small person to carry.
It’s lovely when children spend hours playing outside, but they do have a habit of leaving toys strewn everywhere when they’ve finished. Make tidying up easy by putting out some buckets with easy-to-read labels on them.
Use an old wooden shelving unit as a storage frame, so the buckets have somewhere to live. The solid top shelf will also act as protection, to prevent rain getting into the buckets. Screw hooks to the sides of the shelving unit for hanging up items such as skipping ropes and hula hoops.
As an alternative to metal buckets, you could use rubber trugs. The soft handles on the sides make them easier for a small person to carry.
Think outside the barbecue box
If your outside space is a hub for social gatherings, you may well have a large barbecue. A mini outdoor kitchen is a dream, but the barbecuing and preparation requires a lot of equipment and utensils that can make your garden rather cluttered.
If you’re a budding barbecue chef, consider building a real mini-kitchen workstation. It will make the process easier as you can keep everything you need to hand, and it will allow you to keep cutlery, plates, condiments and drinks accessories outside all summer long.
If your outside space is a hub for social gatherings, you may well have a large barbecue. A mini outdoor kitchen is a dream, but the barbecuing and preparation requires a lot of equipment and utensils that can make your garden rather cluttered.
If you’re a budding barbecue chef, consider building a real mini-kitchen workstation. It will make the process easier as you can keep everything you need to hand, and it will allow you to keep cutlery, plates, condiments and drinks accessories outside all summer long.
Create a garage storage wall
If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, don’t give in to the temptation of just dumping everything in there. Get to grips with it and make a fantastic storage wall. Not only will this clear the floor of trip hazards, but you’ll be able to find the right tool straight away, and see at a glance if something has been left outside.
Buy a variety of hooks that will fit around the neck of each tool to prevent them from slipping out. If you are unsure of how to arrange them, lay them all out on the floor and make sure there are no big gaps. Take a photo on your phone and transfer the order of the tools to the wall.
Discover more ways to keep your garage organised
If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, don’t give in to the temptation of just dumping everything in there. Get to grips with it and make a fantastic storage wall. Not only will this clear the floor of trip hazards, but you’ll be able to find the right tool straight away, and see at a glance if something has been left outside.
Buy a variety of hooks that will fit around the neck of each tool to prevent them from slipping out. If you are unsure of how to arrange them, lay them all out on the floor and make sure there are no big gaps. Take a photo on your phone and transfer the order of the tools to the wall.
Discover more ways to keep your garage organised
Keep things out front
Rows of terraced houses often have little front yards, which can be put to great use with the addition of a small storage unit. They are particularly useful for storing items such as bikes, children’s scooters, or buggies.
When you’re installing something like this it’s very important to ensure it’s secure. Check that the material the storage unit is made from is strong, and that it’s firmly attached to the ground. Finally, make sure you add a good lock.
Rows of terraced houses often have little front yards, which can be put to great use with the addition of a small storage unit. They are particularly useful for storing items such as bikes, children’s scooters, or buggies.
When you’re installing something like this it’s very important to ensure it’s secure. Check that the material the storage unit is made from is strong, and that it’s firmly attached to the ground. Finally, make sure you add a good lock.
Repurpose old furniture
There’s something rather charming about a piece of vintage furniture in the garden. A wooden unit like this is ideal, as the drawers will keep tools and accessories in order, and the cupboard can accommodate larger items. It’s more useful than a big trunk, where everything just gets chucked in.
Make sure you only choose solid wood furniture, as chipboard and MDF swell and disintegrate when they’re wet. Hunt in junk shops for a preloved piece that you can protect from the weather with some garden furniture preservative, or an oil-based paint.
There’s something rather charming about a piece of vintage furniture in the garden. A wooden unit like this is ideal, as the drawers will keep tools and accessories in order, and the cupboard can accommodate larger items. It’s more useful than a big trunk, where everything just gets chucked in.
Make sure you only choose solid wood furniture, as chipboard and MDF swell and disintegrate when they’re wet. Hunt in junk shops for a preloved piece that you can protect from the weather with some garden furniture preservative, or an oil-based paint.
Hang on a wall
A small area of wall can be put to good use by attaching a tool storage system like this. The white pegboard has been screwed to the wall and an assortment of hooks and trays have been added.
Place the board at a height you can reach, but allow enough space underneath for larger tools to hang. Several boards can be placed together if you have the space. It makes sense to use every inch of wall to maximise your storage options.
If you don’t want to screw the board to a wall, you could use the back of a door instead. However, don’t store anything that could fall off when the door is opened.
TELL US…
What do you think of these garden storage ideas? Would you prefer them to a shed? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A small area of wall can be put to good use by attaching a tool storage system like this. The white pegboard has been screwed to the wall and an assortment of hooks and trays have been added.
Place the board at a height you can reach, but allow enough space underneath for larger tools to hang. Several boards can be placed together if you have the space. It makes sense to use every inch of wall to maximise your storage options.
If you don’t want to screw the board to a wall, you could use the back of a door instead. However, don’t store anything that could fall off when the door is opened.
TELL US…
What do you think of these garden storage ideas? Would you prefer them to a shed? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
At first glance it looks like there’s nowhere to put storage in this garden. It’s a tricky space, as it tapers down to a narrow point. Take another look though, as storage and seating have been combined.
This type of bench seating would usually have to be handmade, so it makes sense to incorporate storage while you’re doing it. Design it so that the top piece of the bench lifts off and allows access to the space below. In fact, if you are building a bench anywhere in your home, always add storage, as it would be crazy not to make use of handy enclosed areas like these.
Creative ways to make the most of a small garden