Real Homemaking

If you’re struggling to reduce clutter in your garage or shed, you’re not alone. Overcome your storage challenges and clear up the clutter with these creative solutions.

Challenge: “My shed is so packed that I have to dig through a jumbled mess to find my gardening supplies and tools.”

Solution: The first thing you should do is maximize your vertical storage space. Mount open shelves, hooks, pegboards and clamps to the wall so you can hang paintbrushes, tools, extension cords and other gardening supplies in plain sight.

Challenge: “I need to find a safe way to store my fertilizers and cleaning products away from curious pets and kids.”

Solution: Add closed storage in your shed. Base cabinetry that features one or more doors that can be padlocked shut provides a safe spot to store plant food and other chemicals. Look for pieces with adjustable shelves to accommodate a variety of items.

Challenge: “I just like to grab my tools and get gardening. I get frustrated when I have to take time to organize them and put them away every day.”

Solution: Stackable plastic totes are another great option when it comes to storing your outdoor clutter. Since they are now available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, you can color-code them to keep specific items in specific bins - for gardening, lawn care, kids toys, etc. Tough and dependable, totes are the ultimate reusable container for storage.

Challenge: “I currently don’t have a shed but I need one that’s sturdy enough to withstand the weather year-round.”

Solution: If you need a one-stop outdoor storage solution, Rubbermaid’s Big Max shed for the outdoors may be just for you. It’s weather-resistant and includes a heavy-duty structural foam floor. Whatever outdoor storage you choose, make sure it’s safe and secure and made of quality building materials to protect your outdoor equipment.

Quick storage tips:
* Label all containers if you can’t see what’s stored inside.
* Keep all water filters, hoses, mats and outside rugs in plastic containers to avoid spreading the wet and muck around.
* Separate all electrical items (cords, lamps, batteries, cables) from all wet items (hoses, water filters, etc.)
* Install a battery- or solar-powered light in your shed so you don’t have to search for tools in the dark.
* Add a label above each hook so that every tool is put back in the right place to avoid