WITH brighter days hopefully coming our way, our attention will naturally gravitate to our gardens and outdoor spaces.
This article was featured in our Home & Garden 2026 supplement – you can read the full supplement here!
Gardening enthusiasts will finally be able to get stuck in, and even for the less than green-fingered among us, it’s high time to de-sludge and spruce up our properties. Besides, it will be no longer possible to pull the curtains and ignore what lies beyond!
But before you pull out the lawn mower or power washers, West Cork-based professional declutterer Vera Keohane – trained by the legendary Mari Kondo – says our first step should be to tackle our garden shed or garage.
And here are her top tips for the seasonal reset to transform the space into a functional extension of your home rather than a place you avoid ….
Before you launch yourself at the task, Vera advises us to determine the purpose of the garage space.
‘Decide what is it going to do for you. For most people it’s a weather proof place to secure things like the lawnmower, bikes, garden furniture etc. But often times when I’m working with clients I see things in their utility rooms and even hallways that should correctly be stored in the garage such as kids’ scooters, balls, helmets and even bulky items like that large pot we all have to cook the Christmas ham!
If people have a large mudroom, that’s great, but otherwise I suggest using your shed to free up space in your house and helping things flow better.’
Now, before you start gathering piles of stuff up to chuck into the garage … stop right there!
‘This doesn’t mean your garage should become a landing spot for items that are broken, useless or no longer needed. Get into the habit of dealing with things at source and get out of the habit of saying ‘ah throw that into the shed and we’ll figure it out later.’
Put things into recycling or the bin, or donate them rather than putting them into the garage where they’ll probably stay for longer than planned, if not get forgotten about completely.
A garage is valuable real estate so treat it as such and get clear on what it’s for,’ says Vera.
Vera also suggests making the shed/garage an attractive place to look at.
‘Usually it’s what we see when we look out a window so why not put some effort into making it look a little nicer? You could paint it, put a window box up and bring the place to life. At a very basic level, make sure to maintain it and ensure it’s water proof.’
Now that we’re clear on all of that, it’s time to get on with the actual decluttering.
Sorting your garage or garden shed is a seasonal job and this is the ideal time of year to do it, says Vera.
Your motivation is that if it’s done well, and if good systems and storage are put in place now, you should be able to maintain it for the rest of the year.
Get everyone on board with the new regime that doesn’t allow opening the door and putting random things on the floor inside the door turning the space into an obstacle course!
‘Pick a day that’s dry, get a tarp and lay it outside and empty out the space completely. Put like with like – eg bundle tools together, gardening stuff, sports stuff, items to be dumped, and items to be recycled. Depending on the scale of the job, a skip or skip bag may be needed,’ says Vera.
Next, look at your available space.
‘Most garages comprise three walls and a door, but people often forget about roof space and floor space,’ says Vera.
She suggests investing in floor to ceiling shelving for one wall– they’re widely available in DIY stores – and storing items in clear plastic boxes with lids. This means they’re easy to see, and will be kept dry and clean.
At the top level place seasonal items such as kids body boards, tennis rackets etc, place stuff used more frequently at the middle level and at the bottom, slot in things like compost, paint etc.
‘Jam jars are also very handy for putting thing like screws, even bulbs for the garden. There’s no need to be spending a lot for your storage.’
On another wall Vera suggests using multi-purpose hooks.
‘Hang long-handled items from high-hanging hooks – use all your vertical space. So that’s your rake, hoe etc – you’ll be able to reach them due to their long handles. Lower down the wall, you can hang a basket off an industrial hook for containing things like a secateurs, gloves, etc for gardening. And at eye level have hooks for your outdoor clothes, hats, rain gear etc.’
Hanging hooks from the ceiling is a trick that a lot of people miss.
‘You could hang kids scooters here, even light garden furniture. It’s also ideal to hang a net to store footballs and even bags for your returnables,’ said Vera.
‘Depending on the design of the space, you could even run a wide plank between the eves and use it to store things like fishing rods!’ she said.
Vera advise against having a flat work surface in your garage – perhaps for planting and potting – as ultimately it’s never used for its intended purpose and just becomes a dumping ground. The temptation will be too strong to resist!
Finally, just like Vera advises when decluttering a home, she says to store like with like in your garage so you can find what you need, when you need it.
‘And resist the urge to keep things ‘just in case.’ Start to think of your garage as an extension of your home, something to help it run smoother. For many people it’s a luxury they wish they had, so respect it and make the space work for you.’
Ultimately, she says that a simple seasonal reset can transform your shed from a chaotic dumping ground into a practical, organised space that supports the way you live throughout the year, mainly by rotating items in and out as the seasons change, keeping everyday tools accessible, and letting go of what you no longer use.
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