Shed declutter
The Challenge
To transform a shed that had become a dumping ground for everything from garden and sports equipment to children’s toys into a practical, hardworking space.
It needed to function as a workshop while providing organised storage for toys, outdoor furniture, games, DIY supplies and tools, with everything easy to see and find.
The layout also needed to be safe and accessible for the children, so they could get to their things independently but not get in harms way.
Make lockers work hard
Metal lockers are a practical and colourful storage choice for a shed. They’ll happily hold everything from sports kit and football boots to paint and camping equipment. Choose ones on legs and you’ll gain extra storage underneath — as well as making the floor much easier to clean.
Treat it like another room
Your shed is an extension of your home, so give it some of the same attention. For many of us, it’s also a little escape — so make space for the things you love doing and let it reflect your hobbies and personality.
Paint the inside
It takes a little time, but painting the inside of a shed can be game-changing. A lighter finish will bounce light around and can make the whole space feel twice as big, brighter and much more inviting.
Invest in a workbench
A workbench or potting bench instantly turns a shed from a storage space into somewhere you can actually use. Even better if you can find a beautifully worn one that’s already been working hard for 30 years.
Think outside the shed
Not everything needs to be stored inside. Look at what could be safely hung or stored on the back of the shed to free up valuable space within. Keeping enough floor space to move around, reach storage and actually use your workbench will make the whole shed work much harder.
Make DIY easy to find
Get your nails, screws, tools and DIY supplies organised and labelled so everyone in the family knows where to find — and return — things. It doesn’t have to be immaculate: progress is always better than perfection.