This Overlooked Storage Spot Is Begging To Be Decluttered

Most homeowners these days are onboard with the decluttering trend that's been sparking joy ever since Marie Kondo first started teaching people how to fold their kitchen towels. They might not all be minimalists, but they are more mindful about how much stuff their homes can reasonably hold. Even garages and basements are no longer doing double duty as catchalls for the family's floating junk. But there's one area that still gets ignored frequently when it comes to keeping things tidy: the outdoor shed.

There are a few reasons for that. Most sheds don't come with built-in shelving or cabinets, and unlike a hall closet — which typically holds linens, coats, and sports gear — sheds are expected to house everything from garden tools and kayaks to camping gear and seasonal decorations — and who knows what else. And because sheds are tucked out back, it's a classic case of out of sight, out of mind. But just because your shed isn't part of your main living space doesn't mean it should be a dumping ground. Before you get busy organizing, it's worth doing a ruthless declutter: get rid of broken tools, items you've replaced with a newer model, or anything you haven't touched in years. That way you're only organizing what you truly want to keep and using the space well.

If your shed looks like an Amazon dumpster, not to worry. It won't be that way for long. The first step is to declutter — and yes, that means pulling everything out and being brutally honest about what still serves a purpose. Once you've edited your stash down to the essentials, it's time to rebuild the space into something that actually works for you. 

Start with shelving. Basic floating shelves or metal freestanding units can dramatically increase your vertical storage capacity, not to mention make it easier to see what you actually own. Adjustable shelves are especially handy for mixing tall items like watering cans with smaller things like seedling trays or DIY bits and bobs. For a rustic (and budget-friendly) twist, you can always upcycle wooden crates to make a perfect shelf system instead of shelling out for new shelving.

Next, sort your tools. Long-handled gear, like rakes and shovels, doesn't need to crowd the corners when you can hang them on utility hooks or a DIY pallet rack. Smaller tools, screws, and spare parts can live in glass jars or mason jars mounted under shelves. Magnetic strips work well for pliers, wrenches, and other metal tools you want to grab on the fly. And don't ignore the doors. The inside of a shed door is prime real estate — use it to hang baskets, pegboards, or your gardening tote. Small tweaks like these can make a massive difference in the way your shed works (and looks).

Once your tools are tamed and your shelves are up, it's time to conquer the remaining chaos with plastic storage bins. Clear plastic tubs are an underrated solution for just about everything else that ends up in a shed. Think sports gear, string lights, camping supplies, or that box of random extension cords you've moved three times but can't bring yourself to part with. (You know they have to go, right?) 

The real magic happens when you label. It may sound tedious, but being able to find "Holiday Decor" or "Bug Spray + Lanterns" without opening five containers saves you both time and frustration — especially when you're working in a confined space. Want to up the ante? You can always label your bins with QR codes to keep the labeling simple, tidy, and uniform.

Bins are also ideal for seasonal storage. Once summer's over, your pool toys and citronella candles can be neatly packed away and swapped for snow shovels, salt, and holiday lights. Just rotate them as the seasons change. And for anything you use regularly — like gardening gloves or crafting supplies — stash smaller containers on lower shelves for easy access. For ultimate efficiency, choose uniform bin sizes so they stack neatly, and consider color-coding or clear bins for quick visual reference. You'll end up with a system that's not just functional but satisfying to look at. And you'll never again have to dig through a dusty pile of junk just to find one rogue bungee cord.