Maintaining your lawn helps to increase your home’s curb appeal. This project comes with lots of different tools. In the winter, you may want to store them away, and keeping them organized can make landscaping easier. Here are some tips for sorting out your tools in time for summer.
1. Repurpose an old mailbox
If you have an old mailbox just lying around, this can be used to store your tools. It is an easily accessible space but still out of the way. Using a rundown mailbox is a great way to save money on storage accessories, you can even add a coat of paint to spruce it up.
When repurposing your mailbox, follow these steps:
- Clean it out
- Spray paint it
- Add decorations to the outside
- Place fabric on the inside
- Stick it into the ground
2. Use a makeshift tool bucket
You probably have old paint cans or large buckets around your house. These also come with lids to protect your tools from outside elements. Use multiple buckets to help organize your tools into specific categories. For example, you could separate your digging implements from your pruning tools.
Here are some of the other categories of tools you could consider:
- Edging
- Lawn care
- Planting
- Spraying
3. Build a shed
If you like home improvement projects, this one can be super useful. A shed can protect your gardening tools from the elements. It also allows you to conveniently store everything in one place, and it can keep unsafe equipment under lock and key. This is especially beneficial if you have young children running around the yard.
If you’re building the shed yourself, consider these building tips:
- If you have a sloped site, build on posts
- Use a concrete slab for the floor
- Be precise with shed wall and floor measurements
- Build shed roof trusses
- Install siding before raising shed walls
4. Use old wood pallets
Wooden pallets can help keep your tools organized, and in an upright position where this is important. While they are easy to grab, they won’t fall forward if someone passes by. The wooden material also requires little maintenance.
Here are some other benefits of using wooden pallets for storage to consider:
- They are strong
- They are reusable
- They are cost-efficient
- They are environmentally friendly
5. Hang some hooks
Hooks are a convenient way to store your landscaping implements and to keep them separate. Consider using hooks for wrapping your garden hose around and also for keeping your tools away from surface areas. This can make your space feel less cluttered.
Here are some of the different types of hooks you can use:
- S-shaped
- Peg style
- Utility
- Over-the-door
- Removable
6. Build racks into your fence
Tool racks help keep your shovels off the ground, and since your tools are now lined up they are easy to access. Tool racks also take up minimal space but can hold a lot, and so they are a good idea if you don’t have a shed. This way, your rakes and so on are out of the way of anyone walking around your backyard.
When building your tool rack, follow these five easy steps:
- Decide on the length of your rack
- Cut the rack to the appropriate size and layout the holes
- Drill the holes for each of your tools
- Install the brackets
- Attach the rack
7. Create a pegboard
A pegboard can hold a variety of items, from your rakes to your pruning shears. It can also be customized to match your storage needs, and it helps store more oversized items vertically. These boards also make it easier to see all your tools at one time, and you can play with the layout to make grabbing your supplies even more efficient. A pegboard can also allow you to take advantage of unused wall space.
When you go to hang it up, follow this procedure:
- Find and mark the studs.
- Measure wall space for your board.
- Pre-drill holes through the board and wall.
- Measure and then mark the space for the bottom frame board.
- Repeat the process for the middle panel.
- Mount the pegboards to the frame boards.
8. Clear out your garage
Your garage can be a great place to store tools. First, you want to make sure it is properly organized. Before getting started, consider doing a quick clean to get rid of any dirt or grime, and thoroughly wash the door and floor.
When organizing your garage, consider categorizing your items. Sports equipment could be one category. Think about how often you use certain items. To save space, you might even want to get rid of a few things. Also, consider adding built-in shelves for additional storage.
When deciding which type of shelves to use in your garage, consider these options:
- Boltless steel
- Hanging wall rack
- Sports storage
- Overhead storage
- Workbench storage
Once you are done organizing your garage, you can store your gardening tools inside. This can keep them protected from outside elements but still easily accessible. It can also keep sharper tools away from kids.
9. Grab scrap wood
If you have any scraps of wood hanging around, consider putting them to good use by turning them into shelves to store and organize your tools. This option saves you money, helps get rid of old wood, and is also a good way to take advantage of unused vertical space. These shelves can help hold your heavier items, like a lawnmower.
For those who like DIY home projects, this can be an excellent way to kill some time. Also, building your own storage space allows you to customize it to suit your own requirements.
Here are some tips when building wooden shelves:
- Use a sanding block
- Use a traditional wood screw over drywall
- Know your wood’s moisture content
- Prevent excess glue stains
- Measure using a drafting square
10. Get a garden storage bench
This is a perfect multipurpose piece of furniture, and you can easily store tools inside it while having an additional seating space. You can use it to hold a few large or many smaller items. Instead of having your gardening tools cluttering up indoor spaces, you can easily tuck them away.
You can also decide where you want the bench to go. Consider a place near your backyard, so you need to make fewer trips when carrying tools back and forth.
Along with your garden bench, consider these design ideas to spruce up your landscape:
- Create a cozy dining space
- Install a window ledge
- Decorate with potted plants
- Add a firepit
- Brighten up the area with lights
How to keep your tools organized
When it comes to lawn maintenance, your tools are essential. This is why you want to keep them easily accessible. These tips should help you organize your gardening tools in time for summer projects.
