5 Common Items You Can Safely Store In Your Backyard Storage Shed

Some topics are easier to research with the prompt "What not to do" instead of "What to do." Finding out all the items you shouldn't keep in your shed, for example, might be an easier online search than typing in every item you own to see if it will be safe in your outdoor shed. But, for ease, wouldn't it be nice to also have a list of what you can safely store once you know all the do-nots? There are endless possibilities for adding a shed to your backyard, and if you already have one, it's a great place to keep certain items from your home or yard. While the list can get lengthy, there are a few staples that you can always keep in this on-property storage unit without worry. These include most tools, sporting goods, seasonal decor, garden and yard items, and even clothing. 

Each of these might require different storage containers, but as long as you organize and stash them properly, you won't have to worry about these possessions until you next need them. To keep items even safer, you can insulate your shed on a budget if you live somewhere that gets really hot, cold, or has a lot of inclement weather. You might have to play around with what you store in this spot long-term, but moving some of the following belongings into this space is a great way to make your home less cluttered.

Keeping tools in your shed may seem like a no brainer, but some people might avoid this for fear of their items rusting or falling into disrepair. Fortunately, you can absolutely store tools in the shed, and this will keep them organized as well as protected from the elements. To make the most out of your shed space when figuring out how exactly to store your tools, install shelves and hanging pegboards where you can utilize vertical space. This will allow you to hang small tools like pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers while freeing up room for larger items. You can also hang longer tools like rakes and shovels from hooks on the walls as well.

You can even organize and categorize smaller tools by type and use, then place them in plastic tubs so they are easy to locate and protected from dust, moisture, and the changing seasons. Use masking tape or stick on labels to notate what is in each tub so it's easy to access what you need when you need it. However, when storing your tools in the shed, it's still a good idea to do regular maintenance by checking them every few months to wipe away dirt, dust, and grime so that they don't rust.

Do you or your family members play sports throughout the year? From bicycles to roller blades and every kind of stick, bat, and padding, sports equipment can pile up and take up a lot of space within your home, garage, or yard. To keep these items safe during the off season, why not create a place within your shed to store these items? These pieces of equipment are typically made to be durable and long-lasting, so they shouldn't be negatively affected by changes in temperature or potential exposure to humidity. 

Similar to tools, some pieces of sports equipment can be hung from pegs, hooks, or shelves on your shed's walls. Larger collections like golf clubs, sports balls, bicycles, and bats can be propped up in corners and covered with plastic tarps to keep them dust-free and dry, or you can even build storage into the ceiling to hold some items. Plastic tubs are always helpful for smaller accessories and uniforms, too. Purchase hanging canvas shelves or bungee cords to tether your balls up on the walls to save space as well.

While there might be other places in and around your home to keep seasonal clothing, if you don't have much space, your shed can be a good spot to keep bins of clothes out-of-the-way and safe. With clothing, however, you have to be more vigilant about storage, especially if you live somewhere with a lot of moisture or inclement weather. If fabrics are not kept in airtight tubs or boxes, they can succumb to mildew, mold, or deteriorate from exposure. Bugs could also be a potential problem, so invest in plastic containers that clasp shut and keep fabrics like wool and silk in garment bags (store similar fabrics together on plastic hangers, not wire) inside of these containers.

You can also use dry cleaner bags that you seal at the top and bottom for an added layer of protection. If you're concerned about creasing or folding certain items, you can buy garment bags like the KIMBORA Hanging Garment Bags on Amazon that zip shut and keep the clothes inside protected. We then recommend placing these bags inside large plastic containers to keep them safe. Add mothballs and moisture absorbing pads before shutting up your pieces until you need them to keep pests from chewing on the fabrics and to keep them away from moisture.

Seasonal decorations don't have to take up valuable space within your garage or indoor closets. If you have an attic or basement, these can fill up quickly with miscellaneous items, and sometimes finding space for decorations can get tricky. The good news is that most of your holiday pieces can go in your shed when you're not using them. Fake Christmas trees, ornaments, various decor items, Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed collections, and every other holiday's items: These can all be packed into boxes and placed in the shed during the off seasons. 

To protect items, make sure cracks and holes as well as the base of your shed is properly sealed to keep out pests. You can even call in a pest control company to spray a few times a year to prevent bugs and rodents from damaging bins and the decor inside. Purchase plastic tubs for your items, as cardboard can be eaten or chewed by pests, and make sure your shed is weatherproofed. Also contain fragile items in bubble wrap to keep them from getting damaged during transport. To prevent your floor from becoming covered with bulky containers and boxes, add sturdy metal shelving along the walls and high up near the ceiling where you can keep items that you only need once a year.

Gardening supplies and any outdoor items you don't want just out in your yard when they're not being used can go inside your shed. This makes them easily accessible and keeps them out of the sun, rain, snow, or any other inclement weather your area may get. Small barbeques, gardening shears, wheelbarrows, lawn ornaments and furniture, watering cans, planters, and even potting soil can be stored inside your backyard shed. Some of these things are better kept inside more of the plastic totes mentioned above, especially plant soil and supplies. Smaller metal items should be cleaned and stored in plastic containers or hung on the wall to avoid rust.

Also ensure you cover furniture in plastic tarps to protect the fabric or material. Larger appliances like barbeques should also be covered to prevent dust from building up on the metal. These can be kept in corners or along the interior walls so they are out of the way. Make sure to remove propane or coal from cooking fixtures before storing them away, as these materials won't do well in your shed.