Here’s How to Choose the Best Outdoor Storage Options for Your Backyard

Whether you’re an avid gardener, a DIY project builder, or a frequent backyard party host, you can probably benefit from some additional outdoor storage. Tools, toys, and entertaining accessories all need to be protected from the elements and potential intruders. The right outdoor storage solutions can also bring an attractive, cohesive look to your patio or backyard. Here’s some options to keep everything safe and in its proper place.

Ready-to-Assemble Storage Shed Kits

A storage shed is essential if you do a lot of yard work, especially with power tools. It’s the ideal place to store your trimmer, edger, chainsaw, wheelbarrow or lawn mower. These ready-to-assemble kits are easy to build and include a floor, walls, and roof that slot together seamlessly. There are a variety of sizes, designs, and materials to choose from, including plastic storage sheds made of tough resins, and metal sheds made of galvanized steel.

DIY Storage Shed Packages

You can also opt to build your own wood storage shed. These DIY Storage Sheds can be customized to suit your specific space and storage requirements. Design choices range from simple garden sheds, to dual-entry sheds, to full size corner sheds with double doors. The two latter options are particularly well-suited to storing riding mowers and lawn tractors. Here’s how it works: We provide the lumber, materials, and step-by-step instructions, and you do the cutting and assembly. If time won’t allow for DIY, our Home Installs service can complete your project. DIY Storage Sheds are available at all Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Building Centre locations.

Interior Shed Storage

Once your shed is complete it’s important to maximize the storage space it offers. Here’s some solutions to keep everything in your shed safe and accessible.

Wall Storage

Pegboard can free up valuable floor space for other storage items. Storage hooks, broom clips, and rail organizers are available in a wide variety of shapes for hanging tools and implements. You can also find purpose-designed utility shed hooks for easy attachment to certain types of shed walls.

Overhead Shed Storage

Your shed ceiling is a great place to store long hand tools, just make sure the shelves or hooks are high enough to avoid bumping your head. Here’s some items ideal for overhead storage:

• Rakes 

• Hoes 

• Cultivators 

• Picks 

• Brooms 

• Fishing rods 

• Ladders

Heavy Duty Storage Racks

Heavy power tools are not ideal for hanging on your shed walls or ceiling. If the fastener gives way the tool could be damaged or cause injury. If your shed is large enough you may want to consider a heavy-duty storage rack for supporting large items like chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and other outdoor power equipment.

Open Shelving

Open storage shelves allow easy access and let you see everything you have. They can also be easily adjusted if necessary. Wood, steel, and wire shelving is available to suit the style and layout of your shed.

Storage Bins

Open-concept storage also works great for smaller garden and outdoor items too: 

• Plastic storage bins can be used to store trowels, pruning shears, hand cultivators, garden gloves, and other smaller garden tools 

• Modular bins allow easy stacking for even more storage 

• Clear plastic containers allow for easy identification of contents 

• Clear jars are great for nails and bolts that are too big for your part organizer

Tools & Workbench

If you work outside during the summer you might want to add a workbench to your shed, along with a tool cabinet, tool chest, or rolling tool box. These units feature multiple drawers for storing all different types of tools and accessories.

Lockable Cabinet

If your shed contains hazardous items like paints, thinners, fertilizers, or other toxic materials you should keep them safely locked up in a storage cabinet. This is especially important if you have young children or pets.

Deck Boxes

A deck box is ideal for storing away items when you're not using them. Various sizes, colours and materials are available to choose from including resin, wicker, high-density polyethylene, metal, and wood. A deck box can also double as a seat when closed. You can place several deck boxes around your outdoor space for storing different things such as: 

• Patio cushions 

• Blankets and throw pillows 

• Toys and games 

• Candles and lanterns 

• Garden tools and materials 

• Pool cleaning gear and supplies 

• Grilling accessories

Patio Coolers

A patio cooler is a great piece of accent furniture for any deck or outdoor space. In addition to providing outdoor storage space for beverages, it also helps reduce the amount of traffic in and out of your home during get togethers. Some models are designed to function as a bench for sitting when the lid is closed.

Outdoor Furniture Covers

If winter storage space is at a premium you might want to consider covers for your patio furniture. Outdoor furniture covers will protect your chairs and tables from ice and snow that can damage certain materials. You can even use the covers to protect against sun damage during summer. BBQ covers are also available to protect your grill or smoker.

What Not to Store Outdoors

Some items should not be stored outside. This includes paint, which can be damaged by extreme heat and cold. Pet food should also be stored indoors as raccoons and other animals will smell it and try to get inside your storage area.

Keeping your outdoor gear stored and organized makes you more functional, and makes your yard more attractive. Take an inventory of what you have and establish your storage requirements. You’ll get a good idea of which outdoor storage options will work best for you.