Top 5 Shed Organization Hacks for Your Outdoor Man Cave

Are you looking for mundane or ho-hum tricks to manage the limited space you have available in you shed? 

You're looking for brilliance! Well, we may not have brilliance but we do have a few good ideas you may not have thought of in this simple but informative blog entry; The top 5 shed organization hacks for your outdoor man cave.

1) Shelves Are a No-Brainer

Now shelves aren't so far up on the brilliance scale. You've thought of those already. But how useful are they really? Are they sturdy enough to hold all your stuff without wobbling? If they're not all that sturdy, consider screwing them to the wall. Why not? It's your shed, and everything in it, right down to the shelves should be as useful as it can be. Furthermore, make sure they're not so tall you can't use the top shelf. If they are, start thinking skinny and flat. We're sure you can come up with few of those items to stick up there.

2) Install a Tool Hanger or Two

Tool hangers to hang those pesky rakes and shovels from are just smart. If you install one of these hanger, long gone are the days of leaning them in the corner only to have to struggle to get the one you need. As well, how many times have you caught a toe on a rake only to have it knock everything else over or swing out to practically smack you in the head?

3) Peg Boards Are a Big Plus

Peg boards are so versatile since you can buy a lot of different types of hangers to plug into them. Plus, as the things you store on peg boards will change over time, you can move the hangers around to fit it all without a hitch or a hassle.

4) Wind up Cords and Hoses

Although your hose reel may be handy sitting in the yard, it takes up quite a bit of floor space in your shed. Consider a wall mount system that holds them tight against the wall. Your hose will be just as handy if you really need it during the fall and winter months. Furthermore, extension cords can be hung in the same way without getting tangled. Think about it, when you need an extension cord, you need it now. It wastes a bunch of time trying to untangle it and get the knots out just so you can string a light under your car or power up a saw for a quick cut with your saw.

5) Can You Do the Can-Can?

We bet you can. But we're not talking about dancing here. Most guys think of trash cans are only useful for trash. However, have you thought about using them for storing bagged items like pet food and bedding or driveway oil-dry? Or how about sidewalk salt, grass seed, lawn fertilizer or charcoal briquettes for the grill. You get the point. Anything that comes in a bag can be tossed in a can or bucket to make it less of a mess to deal with and take a lot less space.

Floor Space Is at a Premium

No matter how big your shed is, floor space is always going to be at a premium once you stick your hunting gear, golf clubs, lawn mower, motorcycles and ATV's inside. But think about it; if you get all the little stuff up off the floor and out of your way, you'll have tons of room for the big stuff. Who knows, with a little planning you may even have room for a comfy chair to sit on while you watch the game and enjoy a cold one after all the honey-do's are done for the day.

If you'd like more room for all the stuff you need to keep outdoors, contact us. We'll be more than happy to show you how we can help you get a lot more space in your outdoor man-cave.

Making Yard Work a Breeze: Adding a New Addition for Functionality

Springtime is the time to focus on your yard. New landscaping, mulching, cutting grass, weeding, and planting are on the agenda. As you begin your yard work, you find that you need all sorts of equipment and materials. There are a few things you can do to prepare for your spring and summer tasks around the house and save some money. The larger the yard, the more expensive the landscaping costs. You can track down sales as you go, and purchase all you need to get you through the year’s work. When it comes to the larger purchases, such as equipment like mowers and mulchers, you will definitely want to purchase ahead in order to benefit from the sales.

Once you have accumulated everything you need to make your yard look great, you are faced with a common problem amongst most homeowners…where do you put everything? You need to think about protecting all of your purchases from the elements, especially if you were purchasing during the winter months. Many people resort to putting everything in their garage to keep things dry and organized. This might be a possible solution for some, but ideally you should be able to park your cars in the garage without trying to share the space with all sorts of other yard equipment. If this is your situation, then you need to consider a shed as the solution to your storage needs. Here are some reasons why a shed is the perfect addition to your home and yard:

1. Additional storage capabilities. The number one reason for most people to add a shed is for the additional room it provides. The best way to stay organized is to keep everything in its place. If it is a yard tool or landscaping item, then they belong together. Having things everywhere only leads to confusion and lost items. We end up purchasing things over because we couldn’t find the original items. This becomes not only frustrating, but also very expensive. A shed allows all like items to be stored together, and leaves your cars in the garage where they belong.

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2. Easy access. Keep your yard tools not only organized, but also handy. When we try to cram everything into small spaces, everything becomes difficult to reach. This becomes frustrating, especially if you have a limited time to do the work and you don’t want to spend it looking for your garden shears. A shed keeps all of your items in their place. Sheds are laid out so that you can see everything quickly and easily. It is up to you to keep it organized, but if you know where to begin looking and you can make it easy to get to, you are much more likely to find it. Also, as we begin to pile things on top of each other because of our limited space, we tend to damage and break things. Reduce the risk of this damage by hanging and organizing in the open space of a shed.

3. Add an attractive addition to your home. A shed is an attractive and useful addition to your property. With a number of styles, designs, and sizes to choose from, you can select the one that fits you best. Choose your colors, special features, size, and layout, and create a garden shed that meets all of your storage needs. A shed looks great on any property, giving you functionality in storage and an attractive appearance. Work with a company that has a vast selection of in-stock sheds, shed kits, and garden sheds. They will be best suited to help you select the perfect match for your property and home.

This summer is the perfect time to organize your life and add a functional shed. No matter which style you choose, decide on a size that you can grow into. You will find that there are a number of options that may seem like a good fit. You will find that the extra storage capabilities and the ease of access to all of your garden tools and equipment will make your summer more productive. You will be so glad for the extra space that you will be excited to do yard work!

 

When is a Garage Not Just a Garage?

Your garage is, ostensibly, there to house your car and protect it from the elements. Mother nature can be unkind in all seasons, after all, and if you want to preserve the paint job – not to mention the general health of your vehicle – it helps to give it some shelter. Plus, by housing it in the garage, you help it to stay warm in colder seasons, meaning that you spend less time warming the vehicle up before driving off into the snowy roads.

Beyond driving, you probably use your garage to store things that you will never see again. Junk is the most common occupant of a garage, to the point that some garages never even have vehicles in them – just stuff, and then more stuff. As common as this is, garage owners are denying themselves the many different uses of a garage. In fact, your garage can be transformed into a private space that can be used for just about any hobby or activity you can think of – if only you can see your way to clearing it out and adding the furniture and other details needed to turn your garage into your own private paradise.

Here We Are Now, Entertain Us 

First, it’s important to consider just how private your garage is. If you’re living in a full household with your family, it can be hard to find a space that is just for you, but like everyone else on the planet, you need a little privacy. Having some space to relax and forget your troubles, not to mention pursue hobbies and interests that you could easily be distracted from by your family, is a great idea for the modern man. Thus, the birth of the “man cave” – a space you make your own.

A man cave is a “guy’s area,” the tree fort for the discerning adult. Comfortable armchairs, a leather couch, a big screen television, surround sound multimedia, a refrigerator for beer and completely unhealthy but criminally delicious food, and more are all a part of the man cave. These tend to be customized to suit your particular interests; if you’re a car guy, some equipment for working on automobiles – or even just automobile paraphernalia – may be around. If you’re more of a music guy, instruments and records may be meticulously cared for and organized, ready for play.

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A game room is another option for the more entertainment-minded man. The den of the last few generations was all about machines and workshops, but today’s modern man grew up with video games as a primary source of entertainment, and just because you grew up doesn’t mean you grew out of gaming! Massive monitors, powerful consoles and computer rigs, seating that is ideal for gaming alone and with friends, and lighting that complements your gaming experience is all a great idea for the game room garage.

Self-Improvement 

Of course, your newly outfitted garage doesn’t have to be all about sitting on your butt, swilling beers (or whatever your beverage of choice may be!), and generally being fat and happy. You could also convert your garage into a home gym; in fact, this is a great way to save space in your garage so that it can be used for parking cars and other general garage-type activities while still making it your own space, as workout equipment is easy to pack up and store when not in use. A home gym is affordable and can be quite safe so long as you make sure to build and equip it correctly, and always work out with a friend or a family member. When your gym is just ten steps away, you won’t have an excuse not to exercise!

A home office is another great use for your garage. With adequate insulation and the right furniture, you can create a business-like atmosphere that makes working from home or being self-employed all the more affordable and comfortable, while giving you the peace, quiet, and privacy you need to get the job done.

Ultimately, the only limit on what your garage can be is your imagination – and your needs! Whether you’re looking for a space in which to have a good time or a space where you can focus on improving yourself and your life, your garage is a surprisingly great place to get it done!

Reclaiming Your Garage

When you bought – or even built! – your home, you had plans. You were going to keep your entire home clutter free, with everything having a place and all other unnecessary junk tossed, donated, sold, or given to friends and family. Better yet, you weren’t going to let your garage become just another storage shed, one where you can’t park your car or do much more than walk inside, consider cleaning and organizing everything, and then give up because the job has simply gone beyond you.

Yet inevitably, your garage has become exactly that. The thought of trying to find something in that mess fills you with dread, but you aren’t quite willing to let anyone else clean it for you. After all, your garage is your man cave, your private space, and you don’t like anyone messing with your stuff – even if it could use some messing-with. As such, the job of clearing out your garage to make it suitable for leisure and privacy is up to you. Fortunately, it isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think – so long as you take the time to plan ahead, and set goals for yourself!

A Plan of Attack 

First, plan to set aside a whole weekend for the project. Tell your friends you aren’t available, make sure you don’t make any engagements with your partner, and if you have kids, get them out of the house! If you have a television show you like to watch, set up the DVR, because this weekend is all about you and your garage. Yes, trying to do everything at once can be intimidating, but the truth is that you aren’t going to spend the next 48 hours on the garage; it’s really only a few hours, spaced out over two days. You’ll take frequent breaks, and in the end you’ll be happier for it.

Next, purchase some solid-shelving units. Whatever you decide to keep from your garage, you will want to be able to organize and store it quickly and easily. No more piles! Get plastic containers for the shelving unit so that things can easily be stored there.

Finally, you’ll need three large containers for the actual cleaning process. One container is for trash – anything that can be thrown away. The next container is for donating; everything that ends up in that container goes to a charitable organization, and everyone will be better off for it. Finally, the last container is for “action items.” Action items are things you borrowed and need to return, things that need repairing, and things that should go elsewhere in your home beyond your garage.

The Real Work Begins 

Now it’s time to actually clean the garage. The first thing you have to do is empty the garage – entirely. Everything from the tiniest nail to the largest equipment should be taken out of the garage and put onto the driveway. (Obviously, you want to do this on a weekend when good weather is forecasted.) Sort your belongings into their designated containers; it is important to stay as organized as possible at this stage of the garage cleaning.

With your garage emptied out, you can begin to clean the garage itself. You may be surprised at just how dirty the garage has gotten over the years; grim, dust, dirt, and other detritus can build up under all of your stuff, making it an allergenic nightmare. Use a broom, then use a vacuum, then use a mop, then let it dry and start the process all over again! The floors, the windows, the walls, the ceiling – everything needs a good workover.

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With the garage hygienically clean, you can make it organizationally neat and tidy by installing your storage units. Shelves, drawers, whatever you may need. This is a good time to make changes to your garage to make it more amenable to your purposes; maybe you want a man cave for yourself, or a workshop. At this point, you’re free to do as you please to the garage’s layout and design.

Once you’ve rearranged your garage, you can begin filtering everything back inside. Whatever didn’t end up in a donation/trash/actionable item container can go back to the garage. Make certain, however, that you were very strict in what actually goes back in and what doesn’t need to be donated, moved elsewhere, or thrown away! Weakness now will only lead to more garage-cleaning later, which means more lost weekends. With your garage clean and organized, you can start to use it as the haven and private space you always meant it to be!