Decluttering your shed: Advice from the experts

With the new year celebrations behind us, it’s time to think about having a sort-out – and no better place to start than the garden shed.

But what should you ditch and what should you keep? And how should you organise the space to keep it tidy?

Experts offer the following tips:

Empty the shed

“Take out everything to see exactly what you have, and what are the things that need to be thrown away and disposed of,” suggests Luke Dejahang, gardening expert and CEO of garden buildings company Crown Pavilions.

“Once everything is laid out, sort your items into three piles: keep, throw away, and donate to charity or even friends and family.”

Check for hibernating visitors

“Before you dive into organising, take a moment to check the corners of your shed for hedgehogs and other small animals,” says James Rice, an expert from Garden Buildings Direct.

“They might have chosen your shed for their winter hibernation, and you’ll want to avoid disturbing them.

Clean the space

“Before you store your tools, machinery, and items back into your shed, there’s no better time to give it a good clean,” suggests Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station.

“Brush away any cobwebs, muck and dried leaves which may have built up inside since you last had a clear-out. If your garden shed has got windows, open them up and give them a good clean, so you let in plenty of fresh air and natural light.”

What to chuck

Items such as old paint, clothing and linens that can spoil and harbour damp and mould should be disposed of, or recycled where appropriate.

“Donate or recycle tools you haven’t used in a year or duplicates of items,” suggests Stephanie Harrod, founder of garden supplies, tools and equipment company Harrod Horticultural. She also advises people to discard broken or rusted tools, empty containers and expired products responsibly.

Plan your layout

Maximise your space by categorising items, suggests Harrod. This might involve storing frequently used tools near the entrance for easy access, stashing seasonal items like out-of-season tools in higher or less accessible spots and grouping seeds, gloves and other small items into labelled containers.

Divide your shed into zones, giving large tools and equipment their own designated spaces, Rice advises.

“Install wall hooks to hang smaller items like shovels, watering cans, or bike helmets, maximising your available space,” Rice adds.

Once organised, commit to a monthly check-up to ensure everything is in its place.