It doesn’t matter if you’re blessed with a big garden or you’re working with a more petite plot, you want to prioritise plants over paraphernalia.
Whether it’s a secret storage bench, a carefully coiled hose or bringing the inside out by repurposing old furniture, here are some top storage tips for creating a green and serene space outdoors.
1. Use vertical space
Add wall-mounted hooks to a shed (inside or outside), a fence, or a side return, and tidily hang trowels, secateurs, kneelers, watering cans, and hose attachments out of the way.
For a really neat finish, group items by use — pruning tools together, watering accessories together and muddy essentials lower down. A simple peg rail, a slatted timber panel, or a metal grid can make even a small shed feel much more organised.
Keep sharp tools safely above child height and add a small hanging basket or tin for labels, string and spare gloves. If you’re fixing storage outside, choose galvanised or stainless-steel hooks so they can cope with wet weather.
Beverley Beattie – Getty Images
2. Repurpose old furniture
As the old saying goes: Waste not, want not. An old dresser, potting table or kitchen trolley can become a great garden storage station. Use drawers for twine, labels and gloves, and the top as a potting surface.
Before moving furniture outside, give it a little weatherproofing so it lasts longer. A coat of exterior wood paint, varnish or oil will help protect timber from rain and rot, while castors can make a trolley easier to move in and out of shelter.
Line drawers with old oilcloth or compost bags to keep them clean, and use jars, tins or baskets to divide up smaller bits and bobs. It is a lovely way to add character to a patio, greenhouse or sheltered corner.
zlyka2008 – Getty Images
3. Go galvanised
Use lidded bins to tidy away bird seed, compost, kindling or plant pots. They also help keep pests out if the lids fit well.
Galvanised metal is a great choice for country-style gardens because it is sturdy, practical and quietly good-looking. Choose different sizes for different jobs: a tall bin for canes and stakes, a medium one for bags of compost or grit, and smaller lidded pails for bird food.
Label them with luggage tags or chalkboard stickers so you can find things quickly. Keep bins slightly raised on bricks or a wooden pallet if they sit on damp ground, and make sure any bird seed is stored in a dry, shaded spot.
4. Keep a caddy
Put gloves, snips, plant labels, string and seed packets in a portable trug, crate or handled basket. It saves rummaging through the shed every time you nip outside.
Think of it as your gardening grab bag. Keep your most-used kit in one place, then you can carry it from border to greenhouse to veg patch without losing things along the way. A traditional trug looks lovely, but a sturdy crate, wire basket or canvas tool bag works just as well.
Add a pencil, notebook, lip balm and hand cream if you spend long stretches outside. At the end of each week, empty out old seed packets, wipe tools clean and restock anything you have used up.
5. Store hoses neatly
Rafal Kontrym – Getty Images
A wall-mounted hose reel, decorative hose pot or simple hook stops the hose from becoming a muddy tangle. For tiny spaces, a coiled hose in a terracotta pot can look much smarter.
A tangled hose is not only annoying, but it can also become a trip hazard and kink the pipe, shortening its life. Position hose storage close to the tap and near the beds or pots you water most often. Wall-mounted reels are ideal for narrow side returns, while freestanding hose pots are prettier for patios.
Drain the hose after use where possible, especially before winter, and tuck away spray guns and connectors in a nearby tin or basket so they do not disappear into the borders.
6. Choose a bench with hidden storage
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A storage bench works well on a patio or by the back door. Use it for cushions, throws, children’s garden toys or small tools. Go for weatherproof timber, resin or metal, and add a waterproof liner if storing soft furnishings.
For extra practicality, choose a design with a hinged lid that opens easily and safely, especially if little ones will be using it. Slatted or ventilated styles can help prevent mustiness, while a bench with a raised base will keep contents away from damp paving.
Add a seat pad and a few outdoor cushions and it becomes useful in two ways: a place to perch with a cup of tea and a clever spot to hide everyday garden clutter.
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