Lines of Sight: The 11 Best Ways to Hide Outdoor Clutter
Off-the-shelf or bespoke, get your garden into shape for summer by embracing outdoor storage solutions
Whether your garden is littered with sports equipment, kids’ toys, or general outdoor clutter, you can easily get your external areas under control before the warm evenings arrive so you can soak up the calming, orderly ambience. Purpose-built outdoor storage not only keeps everything in an easy-to-find spot, it protects items from the harsh elements. So whether you’re looking for off-the-shelf solutions or a more bespoke answer to your clutter problems, these clever suggestions will have your outdoor space spick and span in no time.
… with so many quirky and interesting designs available, you could opt for a decorative shed that’s functional as well as attractive.
What’s Your Shed Style?
What’s Your Shed Style?
Then there’s always the shape that can be adapted to fit your space or to suit your storage needs. This bike-cum-toy shed, for example, has two storage sections with separate doors to ensure a super-organised system.
2. Opt for a mini-shed
No space for a full-size shed? Don’t fret. A mini unit is just the ticket for smaller spaces such as courtyards, and thanks to the double doors, it will allow you to easily tuck away all number of items from extra outdoor seating to bicycles. There are also slimmer, more upright designs…
No space for a full-size shed? Don’t fret. A mini unit is just the ticket for smaller spaces such as courtyards, and thanks to the double doors, it will allow you to easily tuck away all number of items from extra outdoor seating to bicycles. There are also slimmer, more upright designs…
… that are ideal for passageways, or the side of a house, and can easily remain out of view.
Tip: The taller designs with front-facing doors are easier to access than the squat top-opening versions.
Browse porch images on Houzz
Tip: The taller designs with front-facing doors are easier to access than the squat top-opening versions.
Browse porch images on Houzz
3. Set up a gardening station
Not only does a neatly organised potting station, laid out on a beautiful wooden bench, keep your precious gloves and trowels in one handy area, it also captures a quaint, old-world charm that’s evocative of country gardens. Think rustic terracotta, galvanised watering cans, cute seed containers and wooden crates, and you’ll have a pretty display that’s appealing as well as practical.
Not only does a neatly organised potting station, laid out on a beautiful wooden bench, keep your precious gloves and trowels in one handy area, it also captures a quaint, old-world charm that’s evocative of country gardens. Think rustic terracotta, galvanised watering cans, cute seed containers and wooden crates, and you’ll have a pretty display that’s appealing as well as practical.
4. Choose a slim-profile solution
Fed up of clambering over temperamental spades, forks and brooms? Try hanging them up on hooks along an outdoor wall, or construct a slim, purpose-built storage unit such as this one, which you can close up for a neat finish. No more risking life and limb just to reach that trowel.
Fed up of clambering over temperamental spades, forks and brooms? Try hanging them up on hooks along an outdoor wall, or construct a slim, purpose-built storage unit such as this one, which you can close up for a neat finish. No more risking life and limb just to reach that trowel.
5. Create a wall tidy
Another simple yet effective solution is a wall-hung peg board that will make a brilliant tool organiser. Fit it to a wall that’s under cover, or add a cover and the tools will be protected from the weather too.
Another simple yet effective solution is a wall-hung peg board that will make a brilliant tool organiser. Fit it to a wall that’s under cover, or add a cover and the tools will be protected from the weather too.
6. Have toys at the ready
Treat toy storage in the garden like you would in any playroom or bedroom and add a practical open shelf unit. Weatherproof containers such as galvanised metal buckets make brilliant organisers, while a garden furniture paint or varnish will protect the shelf unit from the elements. Ensure all the containers are labelled clearly and the kids will have no excuses for not clearing up after a day of outdoor play.
Treat toy storage in the garden like you would in any playroom or bedroom and add a practical open shelf unit. Weatherproof containers such as galvanised metal buckets make brilliant organisers, while a garden furniture paint or varnish will protect the shelf unit from the elements. Ensure all the containers are labelled clearly and the kids will have no excuses for not clearing up after a day of outdoor play.
7. Make it a bench box
If you’re going to build outdoor bench seating, always include hidden storage below. It’s an invaluable space that’s otherwise left redundant, and it can be used for storing large items such as bench cushions, kids’ toys, beach towels or even extra serving plates for alfresco dining.
Tip: Fit hinged lids that lock open to make access easier, and ensure rain can’t penetrate or you’ll have damp items.
Find Outdoor Storage You Never Knew You Had
If you’re going to build outdoor bench seating, always include hidden storage below. It’s an invaluable space that’s otherwise left redundant, and it can be used for storing large items such as bench cushions, kids’ toys, beach towels or even extra serving plates for alfresco dining.
Tip: Fit hinged lids that lock open to make access easier, and ensure rain can’t penetrate or you’ll have damp items.
Find Outdoor Storage You Never Knew You Had
8. Design a bespoke table
This unique pallet-style table with a glass top might not look all that impressive, but imagine the scores of good books and magazines you could store in between the pallets for your next chill-out session. And what about family board games, or citronella candles? All manner of garden paraphernalia can be layered between the pallets, creating an eclectic display that’s easy to grab and put back.
This unique pallet-style table with a glass top might not look all that impressive, but imagine the scores of good books and magazines you could store in between the pallets for your next chill-out session. And what about family board games, or citronella candles? All manner of garden paraphernalia can be layered between the pallets, creating an eclectic display that’s easy to grab and put back.
9. Create a place for everything
Just like inside your home, every centimetre in your outdoor space should be utilised and maximised to its full potential. For example, can the side of your garden room or shed become ball storage? These swing-out doors with built-in shelves are the ultimate in keeping notoriously annoying balls in order.
Just like inside your home, every centimetre in your outdoor space should be utilised and maximised to its full potential. For example, can the side of your garden room or shed become ball storage? These swing-out doors with built-in shelves are the ultimate in keeping notoriously annoying balls in order.
10. Keep sports equipment in order
Do you have a sporty family but lack the space to store bulky equipment? Consider fitting outdoor stacking racks that will keep hefty kayaks, surfboards, skis and more neatly out of the way, then add a small overhang to keep them all clean and dry.
Do you have a sporty family but lack the space to store bulky equipment? Consider fitting outdoor stacking racks that will keep hefty kayaks, surfboards, skis and more neatly out of the way, then add a small overhang to keep them all clean and dry.
11. Keep it compact
Even the smallest of outdoor spaces could squeeze in this nifty invention. Built to look like a bird box, the tiny compartment fits all you need for a touch of weeding, as well as a handy spot for writing important messages, such as, ‘Milk and two sugars please’.
Tell us
How have you incorporated storage into your outdoor area? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
More
Find a landscape architect or designer for your next project
Even the smallest of outdoor spaces could squeeze in this nifty invention. Built to look like a bird box, the tiny compartment fits all you need for a touch of weeding, as well as a handy spot for writing important messages, such as, ‘Milk and two sugars please’.
Tell us
How have you incorporated storage into your outdoor area? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
More
Find a landscape architect or designer for your next project
Whether you opt for a self-assembly option, or one that is built for you on site, a shed is an easy and inexpensive way of combating all number of outdoor storage problems. You’ll need a concrete slab to create a supportive level base, but other than that it’s a flexible option that can be placed anywhere. And what’s more…