Outdoor storage can be a powerful way of eliminating clutter, and maintaining a sense of order elsewhere in the home. Any items that you keep in a shed, a garage, or an outdoor cupboard will not consume storage space within the main building, after all. But if outside storage is going to help you eliminate clutter, it will need to be free from clutter itself. Let’s take a look at a few strategies for getting these outbuildings into order.
[Photo by Danielle Rice on Unsplash]
Assess What You’ve Got: The Outdoor Storage Audit
To begin with, it’s worth performing a stock take. Make a list of all the items you have, and divide them into categories. This will allow you to work out what can be safely stored outdoors, and what is perhaps best thrown into your loft space.
Outdoor storage is best reserved for tools and materials that are actually going to be used outdoors. Gardening tools, cycling equipment, and materials too heavy to be taken up into the loft, like spare tiles, might all be stashed in your shed or garage.
At the end of this process, you should have an idea of which items you’re going to keep, which you’re going to discard, and which you’re going to sell or donate.
Maximise Space with Smart Storage Solutions
Once you know what you’re keeping, you’ll need to devise the most efficient possible way to store it. What this looks like will depend on what you’re actually going to store. Bicycles might be hung from walls, while pegboards are an excellent solution for tools. In some cases, you might use weatherproof outdoor furniture that comes with storage built in.
Getting the best from a garage might mean installing a few choice modifications. This is where roller garage doors, which can be opened and closed without moving into the space immediately behind them, are essential.
Protect Belongings from the British Weather
If your home is in the UK, preparing for the occasional spell of wet weather is critical. Make sure that you have a variety of weatherproof containers for the storage of moisture-sensitive or high-value equipment. Checking the roof of your garage or shed for leaks is also essential.
Stay on Top of Seasonal Rotations
At different times of year, different demands might be placed on your outdoor storage. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to change around your storage at regular, fixed intervals. You might used labelled crates so that you know exactly where the grit, Christmas lights, pizza oven and paddling pool are kept.
