30 Ideas for organising your shed or workshop

Whether you’re a casual DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, a well-organised shed or workshop is the hallmark of an efficient operation. When everything has its place, you save time and make your workspace a more pleasant and productive environment. 

Here are 30 organisational ideas to help you make the most of your shed or workshop.

Maximising Storage Space

• Pegboards: The most versatile storage solutions, pegboards can hold tools, supplies, and even small shelves. 
• Wall-Mounted Shelves: Use vertical space to store items you don’t need daily.
• Overhead Racks: Install racks on the ceiling to store longer items like lumber or ladders.
• Drawer Dividers: Keep small things like screws and nails neatly organised with dividers in drawers.
• Rolling Tool Cabinet: Store your most-used tools in a rolling cabinet that you can move to your work area.
• Bins and Buckets: Plastic bins and buckets can hold more oversized items like paint cans or power tools.
• Lazy Susan: Use a Lazy Susan for smaller items you want quick and easy access.
• Open Shelving: Open shelving units make seeing and grabbing what you need easy.
• Magnetic Strips: Ideal for holding metallic tools like wrenches and screwdrivers.
• Cord Organisers: Use specific holders or hooks to keep power cords tangle-free.

Workbench Area

• Integrated Tool Storage: Customise your workbench to include built-in drawers and shelves for tools and supplies.
• Drop-Leaf Extensions: Expand your workspace temporarily with drop-leaf extensions for your workbench.
• Workbench on Wheels: Make your workbench mobile with industrial casters.
• Task Lighting: Install adjustable lighting above your workbench for better visibility.
• Tool Mats: Use rubber mats with compartments to hold tools as you work on a project.

Zone-Based Organisation

• Painting Zone: Keep all painting supplies like brushes, rollers, and trays together.
• Carpentry Zone: Store saws, hammers, and other woodworking tools in one place.
• Mechanical Zone: Allocate space for mechanical tools like wrenches and automotive supplies.
• Gardening Zone: Designate an area for gardening tools and supplies like seeds and fertilisers.
• Electrical Zone: For easier access, keep all your electrical tools and supplies together.

Making it Easy to Find Items

• Label everything: Clearly label all shelves, drawers, and bins.
• Color-Coding: Use a color-coding system to identify types of tools or materials quickly.
• Inventory List: Maintain an updated inventory list and keep it in a visible place.
• Clear Storage Boxes: Use transparent containers to see what’s inside easily.
• Chalkboard Paint: Paint a wall or door with chalkboard paint and use it to jot down reminders or project plans.

Clever DIY Solutions

• PVC Pipe Tool Holders: Cut sections of PVC pipe and mount them on the wall to store long-handled tools.
• Coffee Canisters: Reuse coffee canisters to hold screws, nails, and other small items.
• Reclaimed Wood Shelves: Use scrap wood to build additional shelving units.
• Jar Storage: Nail the lids of glass jars under a shelf, and screw the jars into the lids to hold small items.
• Tire Racks: Old tires can be repurposed to store more oversized, heavier items on the floor.

Final Thoughts

Organising your shed or workshop may seem daunting, but these 30 ideas offer a range of solutions to suit any space or budget. 

Start by prioritising your needs and then gradually implement changes. Before you know it, your shed or workshop will be a model of efficiency, making your projects more enjoyable and productive.