We spend so much time organising our homes, but the garden often gets forgotten. Whether it's an overfilled shed with tools crammed inside or outdoor cushions that get ruined each winter, many of us are guilty of neglecting this space.
Organising your garden might seem like a massive job, but after speaking to the experts, I've discovered that it doesn't have to be. All it takes is five simple products that work hard in the background.
Below, you'll find the core essentials used in organised garden designs, as recommended by the pros.
1. Storage bench
A storage bench (or any other piece of multifunctional furniture, for that matter) is one of the best investments you can make for your outdoor space – especially if you're looking for budget small garden ideas.
Jenny Davis, Head of Marketing at Forest Garden, agrees. "A storage bench can provide seating and a practical place to keep cushions, throws or children’s outdoor toys, helping the space feel calmer and more considered.”
Top tip: make sure you choose a storage bench that's weatherproof and well-ventilated to ensure your belongings stay damp- and mould-free throughout the cold and rainy months.
Our favourite storage benches
This stylish bamboo bench has a secret storage compartment under the seat and is naturally moisture-resistant.
Combining function, style and comfort, this rattan storage bench will add a modern touch to your garden, with a 150L capacity.
Finished with a water-resistant varnish, this wooden bench can be used as either a table or a seat while providing ample storage.
Jenny Davis is the Head of Marketing at Forest Garden, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wooden garden products. With a background in communications and a previous role as Head of Instore Marketing for Halfords, she brings extensive experience to her position.
2. A dedicated bike shed
Feel free to skip to number three if you don't have a bike, but for those who do, a dedicated shed is a must-have, according to Jenny Davis.
For one, bikes and scooters are often used more regularly than other items you may store in your shed, so they benefit from being easily accessible. Secondly, they also take up much more space, so it's best to store them separately to avoid having to climb over them.
"A dedicated bike shed can be a brilliant solution because it keeps cycles protected from the weather while stopping them from taking over patios, side returns or garages," adds Jenny.
Handmade in the UK, this wooden bike store has a double door for easy access and a 10-year anti-rot guarantee.
3. Wheelie bin storage
If you've spent hours perfecting your garden design, the last thing you want is an unsightly wheelie bin spoiling the view – especially now that most households have around five different containers.
While you can't leave your bins out on the street, that doesn't mean they have to take over your garden. You can disguise or hide them with one of the best wheelie bin storage ideas, as shown above.
Not only will these keep your bins out of sight, but many will also prevent pests from getting inside. Storing them in a purpose-built storage unit, rather than on the grass, can also stop them making a mess of your lawn.
"I like to include a simple timber screen or slatted enclosure within the design from the beginning, positioning it close enough to the house for convenience while keeping it out of the main view from the garden and inside the home," says Mirela Bajic of House Designer.
Wheelie bin storage picks
You'd never know three wheelie bins were hiding behind this modern-style bin store.
This weather-resistant wooden store will blend perfectly in your garden, accommodating two bins.
This wooden storage unit can hold three 240ml bins and features a handy gap, so you know which bin is where.
Mirela is a Senior Garden Designer at House Designer, known for her considered approach to planting design and outdoor space planning. Her work focuses on creating gardens that feel cohesive, well structured, and easy to live with, balancing visual interest with practical use.
4. Gardening tool rack
Everyone with a garden, no matter how much gardening they do, should invest in a dedicated tool rack, as shown in the photo above. They're incredibly useful for storing everything from gloves to rakes, ensuring everything is easy to locate.
If you have plenty of room in your shed, you may want to invest in a freestanding unit with built-in racks, hooks and shelving. Those with a smaller shed could install a wall-mounted option to free up valuable floor space.
If you do decide to go for a wall-mounted option, you could go one step further by labelling each hook so everything gets put back in the right spot.
Tool racks worth buying
Made from durable cast iron, this rack is ideal for storing gardening equipment.
Featuring three racks and two adjustable hooks, this unit provides space to store up to 50 tools.
5. Automatic wall-mounted hose
If, like me, your garden hose is always in a tangled mess on the floor, I've found the perfect solution: an automatic wall-mounted hose reel, like the one from Amazon below.
Instead of having to wind up your hose by hand (or leaving it strewn across the lawn when you can't be bothered), this style retracts it for you while freeing up floor space.
After hearing my dad rave about his for weeks, I've finally caved and will be adding one to my outdoor space pronto.
This might be pricier than your average hose, but it's far quicker and easier to use, retracting automatically and following you wherever you go.
"One of the biggest mistakes is buying storage without measuring properly or thinking about access. Good garden organisation should make life simpler, not create another awkward corner to work around," concludes Jenny Davis.
If you found this helpful, you may also want to read our guide on how to organise a porch and how to organise a utility room.
