garden storage units

The Comprehensive Guide to Garden Storage Units

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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To many it is not just a hobby but a zeal that brings satisfaction and pleasure, plus a sense of accomplishment. For instance, if one is interested in cultivating flowers, creating a vegetable garden or improving the appearance of their yard to a picturesque piece of work or what can be referred to as a ‘gem,’ each of these gardening endeavors will require varied implement, seeds, and other resources.

But herein lies a challenge: about the proper placement of these items, for instance during seasons when they are not in use. Thus, introduce the idea of garden-storage units. These units are of core importance in storing and protecting garden implement and can substantially add to the durability of more delicate items.

Proper storage of the gardening tools and accessories helps to avoid rusting, decaying, and damaging of the equipment; hence enables you to achieve the best returns for your investments. As we go further, let us discuss how gardening well connects with self-storage truly, particularly, regarding how the latter can enhance your gardening actually.

Let's get started!

Types of Garden Storage Units

1. Sheds

When it comes to the outdoor storage of items, then one of the most preferred options is a shed. They are versatile and excellent in maximizing storage.

Image credit: costco.co.uk

  1. The wooden sheds  gives a rather warm, nostalgic, rustic feeling. These sheds can form a part of a garden while depending on the material they are made from they could be made from pine, cedar or fir. These are ideal for people who want the shed to be part of the general layout of the garden and come with the advantage of being easily painted or stained to blend with the rest of the design.
  2. Metal sheds are made from aluminium or galvanized steel. They remain the option of choice for those people who highly prize the security and durability features. When compared to the wooden structures or plastic shade structures, metal shed structures provide assurance to the users with special items such as machineries or tools that are to be stored.
  3. Plastic sheds are easy to maintain and are long-lasting, most of them being UV protected. These resin sheds are impervious to rot, rust, and pests. Sometimes, they are most popular among those individuals who are most oriented at usefulness rather than the appearance.

2. Storage Benches

Image credit: amazon.co.uk

Storage benches are suitable for use in a small or medium sized garden. They are versatile furniture pieces and have sitting facility and concealed compartments below the sitting area, where items such as gloves, trowels or watering cans may be kept. At the top end you can get models that have coolers or planting spaces incorporated into them.

3. Deck Boxes

Deck boxes are compact and portable storage solutions and their main function is to store small items. They are perfect for apartment balconies or small patios, or simply as another shed in the bigger garden. These boxes are usually also equipped with a waterproof closure, and can be useful when storing, for instance, cushions, towels or items related to the swimming pool.

4. Wall Cabinets

Wall-mounted cabinets are ideal to used in gardens with little floor space. These units can store things like access gears, pool chemicals, and other items, and avoid occupying the floor space. It is also incredibly adjustable; they can be fixed on fences, on the wall, or inside the large shed to provide extra storage space.

5. Greenhouse Storage

Greenhouse storage units are special structures prepared for the enthusiastic botanist. They provide an ability to preserve the plants as well as a suitable climate for it. These units have shelving as well as an array of hooks for hanging a number of plants and storage space for other gardening equipment.

Image credit: walmart.com

Key Considerations for Selection

  1. Space: Most of the time space is at the forefront of the minds of the people who are in charge of such projects. Even a large garden can at times feel small because of a storage unit that is either too big or sited poorly. Therefore, always look at your outdoor space, considering the space required for movement in and around the storage unit.
  2. Understanding the basic purpose of your storage unit: This is likely to limit your options greatly. If, for instance, your need is to accommodate large machinery, then a large scaled metal styled shed would be apt. For those that require a miscellaneous storage space, then a deck box or a storage bench may fit the bill especially for gardening tools and equipment and other items that should be stored out of season.
  3. Climate: These are essential when it comes to choosing the right material to construct your storage unit. Thus, while wood is a very lovely material, it may not be so suitable for high humidity or areas with much rain without proper treatment. Metal may rust in those conditions, while plastics may get brittle if too much sun exposure is incurred.
  4. Financial constraints: Lack of funds is always a major concern. Although a you might be tempted to opt for a wonderful unit complete with all the features, it is necessary to stick to a budget.
  5. Padlock or security system: Should you decide to store costly equipment in the unit then the unit should have a security system. As for security, the metal sheds are considered to be the most secure, however the wooden and especially the plastic ones can be rather secure only if they are equipped in the right way.

Popular Brands to Consider

Image credit: trimetals.co.uk

The brand of the garden storage unit can tell you lot about the actual quality of the product. These brands are more reliable and credible, as they present the customers with high quality products along with providing top customer service with installation and warranting capabilities.

  1. Arrow: Arrow is a top brand for storage metal storage solutions. It is popular for making sturdy and durable sheds with different sizes to deal with different storage needs.
  2. Suncast: Suncast has several materials they use although they specialize in the high-quality plastic and wooden options. Their works are frequently centered on the aesthetics, doing just as much for the look as they do for functionality.

  3. Rubbermaid: When it comes to plastic storage solutions, Rubbermaid is perhaps the brand that comes to people’s mind. Their style units are elegant and one can tell that they have made their products to be durable as well as easy to assemble. 
  4. Keter: Keter specializes in producing storage solutions made of the resin, balancing the beautiful and practicality. Some of the mods they come up with usually have aspects of a double-wall design to enhance the features of the construction.

Material Matters: Pros and Cons

Image credit: homecrux.com

Metal: Metal storage units are well constructed and can also be described as long-lasting. They are most suitable for people who have projects that need secure storage space preferably for big and/or valuable items. Nevertheless, it has to be said that metal units are more susceptible to rust than other materials and they need occasional use of rust protection coatings.

Metal: Metal storage units are well constructed and can also be described as long-lasting. They are most suitable for people who have projects that need secure storage space preferably for big and/or valuable items. Nevertheless, it has to be said that metal units are more susceptible to rust than other materials and they need occasional use of rust protection coatings.

  1. Wood: Wood is a classic option for garden storage unitsDesign wise, it is highly flexible and users can paint, stain or beautify it with any ornaments. Nonetheless, wooden storage units need annual treatment to stop rotating, molding, or insect eating the wood. 
    • Metal: Metal storage units are well constructed and can also be described as long-lasting. They are most suitable for people who have projects that need secure storage space preferably for big and/or valuable items. Nevertheless, it has to be said that metal units are more susceptible to rust than other materials and they need occasional use of rust protection coatings.
  2. Plastic/Resin: For low maintenance aspect, some of the plastic or resin storage units are much preferred. As such they are not liable to most forms of decay, exposure to direct sunlight can eventually lead to embrittlement. However, most modern plastic storage units are designed with UV protective coatings to help avoid these problems.

Self-storage in Gardening Communities

Gardening communities are becoming increasingly more complex and widespread, which means that the number of tools and supplies increase as well. Whether it’s the new age balcony gardener or the traditional plant lovers, there is a new and growing need for space to store these fundamentals. This necessity is where facilities such as Southern self-secure and safe storage play a important role of closing the gap between the amount of storage needed and the physical space that is available.

Located in some of the most affluent gardening communities, this facility addresses the issues of storage and guarantees the preservation of gardening equipment. It is always helpful to have such dedicated storage units as it is so vitalizing.

They can be used to systematically store seasonal tools, sort seeds in different containers in a particular season, or set up a small working area for potting or any other activity that is going on in the garden. With easy access, security, and controlling the climate gardeners can now have the assurety that their tools and supplies are secure and arranged in a way that they will be easily accessed in the next planting season.

Benefits of Combining Gardening with Optimal Storage Solutions

Gardening, for many, goes beyond the meaning of being a hobby and is completed by the term passion. Just like with plants, caring for them and seeing them grow to full health is a beautiful thing, so is maintaining of tools and equipment can sometimes be tricky. Self-storage units helps in the following ways in the gardening scenario:

  • Organization: Storage units are systematic enabling tool to be well arranged and easily access when need.

    • Climate Control: Some units possess climate management which is suitable for delicate tools or even seeds.
    • Security: Never allow your costly machines to be stolen or destroyed.
  • Space Conservation: To prevent accumulation of unwanted items such as garden equipment and other items in your compound or garage, engage in off season storage.
  • Flexibility: Expand or shrink the store size depending with the needs that you might be having.

The integration of gardening and proper storage systems results in the improvement of gardening experience. Maybe it is the same as having its own space and all relevant items have their own specific place, and that no item is left without a place.

The National Gardening Association specifically especially emphasize that one of the keys to the success of a gardener is the availability of proper storage facilities. This is why having a flexible and secure space that is capable of evolving in line with the trending gardening practices becomes very important. By integrating self-storage solutions, gardeners can focus on what they love most: what they have picked up from us especially in regard to the care and maintenance of their plants.

Innovative Ways to Transform Storage Spaces in Gardens

Image Source: spruce.com

Gardeners are always looking for techniques that can improve both the usability and the looks of the green spaces. One of the main challenges of such efforts is related to storage and this does not only apply to tools, but in fact inventiveness in the design of garden storage. One emerging trend in gardening involve turning the common storage into the special garden additions.

Consider the idea of the vertical garden. A new look of the storage unit can be about the hanging plants that will create a visually appealing look of the green wall. It is useful in that it offers an aesthetically appealing component and efficiently uses space which could be otherwise unused.

The next renovating idea that can be seen is transformation of storage units into potting sheds. The additional of workspace, shelves, and hooks transforms the unit into the gardener’s one – it is the starting point of seeds, the place for tools and ideas to grow.

Another interesting idea is to extend the role of storage units towards greenhouses. With minor modifications on ventilation and light inlet, these units can provide the optimal condition for plant growing throughout the year.

These changes increase the utility of gardens and introduce new definitively unique characteristics in them, demonstrating the creativity and originality of the gardener.

The Environmental Benefits of Upcycling Storage Units

Repurposing and upcycling, that is turning items into other items to make them useful again, has spread to gardening and interior decor. Speaking of self-storage units, the opportunity to repurpose them is practically limitless and has a strong positive impact on the environment.

Here is a look at some of the benefits:

Lower Carbon Footprint: The upcycling actions often require less energy than in new production of products, thus, emission of greenhouse gases is reduced.

  1. Reduction in WasteRepurposing storage units means fewer waste, therefore conserving the environment. Recycling is evident here as we giving a new life to an old unit by finding it a new use. 
    • Lower Carbon Footprint: The upcycling actions often require less energy than in new production of products, thus, emission of greenhouse gases is reduced.
  2. Conservation of ResourcesCreation of new items requires energy and raw material hence amounts to energy and raw material consumption. The reusing of storage units helps to prevent the production of new items, therefore protecting valuable resources.

While getting inspiration from the environmental websites such as EPA’s Sustainable Management of Electronics, it is evident that affirmative sustainable practices in each facet of our lives including gardens are possible and do contribute considerably to the overall wellness of the environment. This post seeks to justify the choice of gardening enthusiasts in the improvement of their surroundings and the health of the earth through upcycling.

Maximizing Garden Space with Efficient Tools

Every gardening enthusiast knows the value of making the most of available space, and particularly in areas where space is at a premium or where they are using self storage solutions. Apart from having to employ methods to save space, which is true in many vertical markets, the effectiveness of the selected tools is also critical.

Another necessity which serious gardener should have is the garden tillerThis multipurpose equipment assists in tilling the soil to the right state, loose and aerated, which is so important in supporting proper plant growth. No matter if you have set for yourself the challenge of beginning a new garden patch in a converted storage space or if it is the revitalizing of a garden patch that was already in existence, the garden tiller is a big help-saving tool.

Similarly, good preparation of the soil enables right texture to hold water and nutrients well for the garden. It is quite possible to increased the area that could be provided with self-storage spaces and investing in high quality tools absolutely any compact piece of land could be turned into a beautiful lawn.

Conclusion

Combination of such variants as self-storage units together with gardening has reshaped the perception of space utilization. Gardeners make something out of nothing by incorporating secure storage spaces – the love of the work expressed in utilitarianism. This idea saves space and creates a potential for the popular trends of urban gardening. Such solutions depict that in every density resulting from increased population in cities, there is always space that can be used to allow nature to thrive.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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