5 Tips for Organizing Your Outdoor Spaces

ORGANIZING OUTDOOR SPACES I made some updates to my patio this year, and it has really made a big difference in how we enjoy the space! It’s a fun place for us to gather as a family, another relaxing space to work in (especially in the summer when more people are home), and even a fun place to film stories for socials!

When it comes to organizing your outdoor spaces, it’s a good idea to envision how you want to use the space. If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors this summer and fall, you’ll want the items you use most frequently close to you, so you don’t have to keep running back inside for the essentials.

So, whether you’re sprucing up your garden shed, perfecting your outdoor kitchen, or creating a cozy patio space, a little planning can go a long way. Here are five tips to help you keep your outdoor areas neat, functional, and inviting.

Tip #1. Maximize Vertical Space in Your Shed

Outdoor sheds often become cluttered with tools, gardening supplies, and miscellaneous items. To keep everything in order, think vertically. Install shelves (or purchase rolling shelving systems) and pegboards/slatwalls on the walls to store smaller items like hand tools, gloves, and pots. Hooks are perfect for hanging larger tools such as rakes, shovels, and hoses. By utilizing the vertical space, you’ll free up floor space, making your shed easier to navigate and more efficient.

Quick Tips:

• Use clear or open bins so you can easily see what’s inside.
• Label everything to quickly find what you need. (A must in any space!)
• Be sure to store more hazardous materials up high to keep them out of reach of little hands.

Tip #2. Create Zones in Your Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen can quickly become chaotic without proper organization. To maintain order, designate specific zones for different activities. For instance, have a cooking zone with your grill, smoker, or flattop, a prep zone with cutting boards and utensils, a serving zone with plates and cutlery, and a cleanup zone with a sink or a cleaning station. Use weatherproof storage solutions like cabinets and drawers to keep everything in its place.

Quick Tips:

• Use baskets or bins to keep smaller items organized.
• If you’re short on cabinet space, install hooks or racks for hanging utensils and pots.
• Keep frequently used items within arm’s reach, in weathertight countertop containers.

Tip #3. Utilize Outdoor Storage Solutions

Invest in outdoor storage solutions that blend with your décor while providing ample space for storage. Deck boxes, benches with hidden storage, and waterproof cabinets are great options. These can store everything from cushions and blankets to pool toys and gardening supplies, keeping your outdoor area tidy and items protected from the elements.

Quick Tips:

• Choose storage solutions that are weather-resistant. I have this deck box that I got from Sam’s and I love it! It stays dry through snow and rain and can fit all my patio cushions.
• Opt for dual-purpose furniture to save space.
• Keep seasonal items in easy-to-access areas. Rotate in the spring and fall.

Tip #4. Keep Your Patio or Deck Clutter-Free

A clutter-free patio or deck is essential for creating a relaxing and inviting space. Start by minimizing the number of items on display. Use outdoor-friendly furniture that provides storage, like ottomans with hidden compartments. Store infrequently used items like extra seating or decor in a shed or garage. For smaller items, use decorative baskets or trays to keep them organized.

Quick Tips:

• Regularly declutter and remove items that aren’t used frequently. Put a reminder on your calendar!
• Use outdoor rugs to define areas and add a touch of style. I ordered these from Amazon earlier this year and I love them! (Scroll back up to the top to see them in my space.)
• Incorporate plants and greenery to enhance the space without adding clutter. (You may want to add another calendar reminder to remember to water these!)
• I also recommend buying furniture covers. Ours came with our outdoor set and, man, do they keep things clean.
• I also power wash my rugs and cushions at the end of each season; it really keeps things looking fresh!

Tip #5. Organize Your Garden Tools and Supplies

Keeping garden tools and supplies organized can be challenging, but with a few specialty products, you can maintain order. Use a wall-mounted tool rack for long-handled tools, we love the Rubbermaid FastTrack system, and small bins or baskets for seeds, gloves, and other small items. If you don’t have a larger shed with a countertop, a potting bench with built-in storage can be a great addition, providing a dedicated space for all your gardening tasks.

Quick Tips:

• Install a pegboard or slat wall for easy access to frequently used tools.
• Use a portable cart to keep tools handy while you work in the garden.
• Group similar items together to make finding them easier.

Project Spotlight: Shed

This client has a gorgeous Secret Garden-level backyard. Walled with ivy and bordered with pink hydrangeas. A quaint white shed on the perimeter behind a line of boxwoods. You’d never know you were in the heart of Annapolis!

Despite its idyllic surroundings, the shed shared the same fate as most: it became the repository of outdoor “shtuff” (as we like to call it). Boating, outdoor games, gardening, tools, and old containers haphazardly filled the inside (see before photo below). It was hard for our client to find what she needed, let alone access it.

For phase one, we emptied the shed and made groupings of like items. This really helped the client during the editing process. She was able to clearly see how many duplicates she had in each category. It also helped the organizers on this project to determine what size bins they would need.

After everything was edited, the team left. The following day, painters and power washers arrived to clean out and coat every nook and cranny in white. We allowed a week to pass for everything to completely dry before our handywoman arrived to install a fishing rod organizer, a slat wall and industrial-sized hooks for the client’s beloved maypole.

Finally, our team of two returned to organize. This was the fun part. We built white shelving systems on rollers, for easy rearranging and cleaning. Fishing poles, the maypole and garden tools were hung on the slat wall and peg board. Sports equipment was moved to the back in the deck box, oyster supplies were put in the Ikea shelf unit, and vases, pots, gardening supplies and tools were all binned and put on the rolling racks. Everything had a home and a corresponding zone in which it was placed.

For this project, we used clear XL multipurpose bins from The Container Store, and – the real MVP – recycling bins that fit perfectly on the shelves, offered a lot of open storage, and kept our white-on-white theme going!

Project Spotlight: Outdoor Kitchen

While we’re on the subject of outdoor spaces, I just have to share this fun outdoor kitchen with you. When we organized it, it was newly installed, so we had some freedom to create new, workable zones that made sense with the layout.

The cabinets in the kitchen were very well sealed when closed, so for the most part we were able to use open multi-purpose bins inside them for easy access. Backstock was stored in a nearby shed in our favorite weathertight totes, a must for long-term outdoor storage.

If you’re finding your outdoor space lacking this summer, I hope you can use this inspo to make a change. As always, my team and I are here for you and ready to work with you to come up with an amazing plan for your space! Reach out to get on our later summer/early fall schedule, so you can enjoy the best season of the year to the fullest.

Happy Organizing!

Susie