During the summer months, our outdoor spaces become an essential extension of our home. But even if you have a cozy balcony, big lawn or small patio, it’s important to keep it neat and tidy. That way, you can enjoy every inch of your outdoor space without cluttering it up.
And when it is worth taking Tips from those who have organized outdoor spacesSometimes being told exactly what to do is not the best way to maintain your garden. Instead, what do you understand? should not Do can help you improve bad habits and adjust your to-do list so that you’re working against it instead of outside of it.
So, to help you maintain a tidy and clutter-free garden, I asked professional planners what you should avoid for the most organized outdoor space. This is what they said.
1. Use your shed as a dumping ground
(Image credit: Future plc/David Giles)
As someone who has a huge shed in my garden, I know how easy it is to hide everything you don’t want on show there. But as Shannon Murphy, business planner and founder Simple Living Co ‘You should never use a shed as a long-term storage unit for uncertainty,’ explains. Instead, you need to take time to declutter and Organize your shed regularly
This includes taking stock of what you have, what you no longer need, and what you can get rid of to restore order and de-clutter. And the shed often needs to hold small, loose items, says Hester Van Hien, a home decluttering and organizing consultant. orderlysuggests, ‘Write a list – either using pen and paper or making notes on your phone – of the items stored in your shed on it.’
The less you have, the more organized it becomes, and the easier it is to put things away effortlessly in the future. But if your shed is too big for your needs, it might be worth it Downsizing from a shed to a garden shed To prevent you from using it as a dumping ground in future. This can also open up more useful garden space for you to enjoy.
SONGMICS 5-Tier Shelving Unit
To make the most of the space in your shed, shelving like this can help keep things organized. Just make sure you’re only storing what you need.
Set with 12-piece bungee cord hooks
Cater Corner Tool Storage Rack
Ideal for tucking away in the corner of your shed, this organizer can hold a wide range of garden tools to keep things uncluttered. In fact, up to 24 instruments.
2. Keep plastic utensils ‘just in case’
(Image credit: Future plc/Claire Lloyd Davies)
If you’re a green-fingered gardener who regularly buys plants from a garden center, chances are your outdoor space is full of plastic plant pots that you’re keeping because you don’t know if you’ll ever need them again. But the reality is that you not Need them – not all of them, anyway.
‘If you never grow seedlings, these pots just become clutter,’ explains Shannon. Keep a few if you actually use them, but recycle the rest.’ Fortunately, it is very easy Recycle plastic plant pots And give them a new home instead of just sending them to the landfill.
By keeping your plastic plant pots to a minimum — say, one of each size — you can keep them from cluttering your outdoor space. But if you indeed If you want more storage, you may want to consider purchasing a potting bench so that you can clearly separate your gardening area from your entertainment or relaxation area.
Christo Garden Potting Table
This potting bench is ideal for storing all your garden tools and pots. It also has wheels, so you can easily move it away when you need more entertaining space.
3. Let garden waste build up
(Image credit: Future plc/Cassia Pfizer)
The easiest way to clutter up your outdoor space is to fill it with trash – quite literally. And if you have plant clippings, debris from your latest DIY project, or even old garden toys lying around, take that as your cue to get rid of them as soon as possible.
This is especially important, because a tidy garden is also a mind game. And if you already have a pile of garden waste in the corner of your garden, you’re more likely to keep piling it up and make your garden look even worse. That’s why, says Shannon, ‘regular clearing of litter makes gardens aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain.’
Keeping the floor space clean is also a great way Make a small garden biggerSo the new garden waste recycling rules are worth understanding What can and cannot be put in your home garden waste bin. However, you should also compost at home and take a trip to the tip if needed.
Singwo Garden Waste Bags 500L x 2
If you don’t have a compost bin, these garden waste bags will help you get all your waste to the top with ease.
4. Keep multiples of the same item
(Image credit: Future plc)
Outdoor areas often serve multiple purposes at the same time. Because of this, they also require many essential items, viz Garden furniture Cushions and garden tools. But having multiples of the same thing is a bad habit that professional planners want you to avoid.
It’s easy to collect new things over the years, many of us stock up on garden decor just because we like it and pick up new tools just because they offer something your old tools don’t. However, the reality is that you probably don’t need Many of these things – and as a result they are cluttering up your outdoor space.
These are duplicate items Things that a small garden does not needAnd large gardens can struggle under this extra weight as well. That’s why Shannon suggests, ‘Keep the ones you reach for naturally and let the duplicates go.’ And this applies to everything in your outdoor space.
Cater Marvel+ 270L Outdoor Garden Storage Box
If space is limited in your garden, choosing multi-purpose purchases can help a lot. Not only is this a storage box, but this green beauty can also double as a seat.
5. Buy things without knowing where they will go
(Image credit: Future plc/James Merrell)
Outdoor spaces are always evolving, but professional planners want you to avoid buying without knowing where things will go. At Kate Dufton, professional organizer and declutterer Ace your spacewarns, ‘We can all be guilty of popping into the garden center at the first sign of sun and drifting away.’
‘This often results in new flowers, shrubs and other garden items, but no plan for where they will go, which can be a costly mistake,’ she adds. This can also make the garden look messy, crowded and unorganized. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything new Absolutely.
You just need to be strategic about what you buy, and One-in-one-out rule This can help, as with every new purchase, you’ll need to get rid of something else to avoid creating clutter. Hester agrees, saying, ‘I think it’s better to donate unwanted gifts to someone else to love than to collect dust in your house or in your garden.’
So, give your garden some organization love this summer!
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