Shed Organization: Seasonal Makeover

Do you have a . . . cluttered, overwhelming, disorganized shed?

Wish that space was actually USEFUL?
And not just another dumping zone of random stuff?

Your shed is just one weekend away from becoming functional, stress-free, and ready for a new season! That shed has a JOB and it should be ready to work for you.

We get it . . . Projects can feel overwhelming and impossible. As professional organizers, we’re here to keep you from getting stuck. Below are our helpful seasonal tips.

We‘re in the news!

We were just featured in The Washington Post to talk about shed organization: Get a Clean and Organized Shed in 9 Steps.

Be sure to give it a peek! There are lots of good tips – like items you shouldn’t store in your shed and a quick way to give it a deep clean.

We share our simple steps for decluttering and organizing your shed below.

1. Use our 3-step process to tackle
your shed or garage.

At Joyful Spaces, we use these 3 steps:
Sort
Store
Systemize

This is our simple method for getting any space of yours organized.

Step 1 – SORT
Start by sorting + deciding what you want to keep.  

Sheds often turn into storage for old bikes, holiday decorations, and junk.
You can reclaim this space to function properly and store only what you know you will use.

This is no longer a “forget about me” zone! This is where decluttering comes in.

Here are some items to donate or trash:

• Seeds (expire after 1-6 years)
• Weed & pest control items (expire after 2 years)
• Tools you no longer need
• The kids’ old bikes
• Old holiday decorations
• Rusty gardening items
• Things that haven’t seen the light of day in a long time (and probably ever use it again)

Step 2 – STORE 
Give all of your kept items a home.

Now, we create a home for everything you will use in your soon-to-be functioning shed.

We know you will have a variety of categories because that is the nature of sheds! Lawn care, hobbies, and outdoor activities typically need to be in a shared space.

How to store these items:

• Frequently-used items should be by the door.
• Long-term storage items can be in the back or up in rafters.
• Put small, loose items in clear bins (with a label of course!).
• Utilize vertical space to hang shovels, rakes, and bikes.
• Shelving units will keep things off of the ground and safe from grime.

Nothing is better than being able to find what you need when you need it!

Step 3 – SYSTEMIZE
Set up simple systems to stay organized.  

The point of all of your hard work is to never have to work as hard again.

Your shed will be easy to maintain when you have systems in place to stay on top of it, instead of neglecting it!

Systems can include:

• Wall organizer to store tools
• Narrow shelves for smaller products
• Wide shelves for large bins and bulky storage
• Hanging sports equipment

Systems are the best organizing tool because even when life is overwhelming, you have a plan of action in place.

2. Reach out to a friend or professional organizer if you feel stuck.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. The hardest part is getting started.

If you have someone help you jumpstart the project by sorting and decluttering items, you will be energized to finish the project.

Cluttered spaces cost you:

• Time
• Money
• Stress

It’s well worth the investment to set up your spaces for peace and productivity.

Remember – doing it well the first time saves you from having to do it again!

3. Maintain your space with a yearly tidy-up.

We know life gets busy, so plan to do a yearly tidy-up in your shed to maintain the beauty you have created.

Yearly Tidy-Up Checklist:

• Blow out leaves & dirt
• Wipe out cobwebs
• Donate the items you still haven’t used
• Create new systems for your ever-changing needs

Kids will graduate to bigger bikes, hobbies will shift, and our needs change. Maintenance guarantees that your space will grow with you.

When seasons change, so do our priorities!

New weather brings new growth, new harvests, and a new pace of life.

As summer comes to a close, so do our schedules. Our priorities can be thrown out of balance if we aren’t careful. It’s easy to go back to dumping items wherever.

We encourage you to do a seasonal decluttering makeover.

This will motivate you to create fresh change in your home, one space at a time.

Don’t let the holidays or summer aftermath overwhelm you!

You can keep your home feeling peaceful all year ’round.
You can tackle overwhelming spaces and restore order.

And if you ever get stuck, we’re here to help you get things straightened out.

We wish you the best of luck as you declutter your shed this season!