Eager to spend more time outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine? Us too. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy balcony, organizing your outdoor living space can make a big difference in how you use and enjoy it.
Take a step back and look at your space. What can you do to help make it more relaxing and comfortable for you and your guests? A recent study from TruGreen shows that an unmaintained yard has negative effects on a homeowner's well-being. 92% of homeowners in the study cited that poor upkeep of their yards and outdoor living areas negatively impacts their enjoyment of outdoor time. Furthermore, more data highlights that 1 in 3 people take longer than a week to complete a decluttering project.
When you consider that 7 in 10 homeowners who prioritize outdoor time for the sake of their mental health, being able to step into a well-maintained, organized space really matters. From selecting the right outdoor furniture to finding a permanent home for all those gardening tools and patio furniture accessories, incorporating additional storage often helps in a big way. But don't stop there—reducing backyard clutter is just as important as finding ample storage space. Learn what you can do to create a space you enjoy using every day.
1. Lock It Up
"As a recent homeowner I’ve come to learn that many of the greatest liabilities on your property are your outdoor items," shares Command Brand partner and DIY and Home Lifestyle Expert, Julian Thomas. "For this reason, it’s crucial that your outdoor space has at least one area that is secured by lock-and-key. Extra storage can be something as big as a shed, or as minimal as a basic storage locker." And this is true—in fact, some insurance policies even require it! He adds, "Not only does a locked area protect against theft, but also the destructive force of Mother Nature."
- You can buy or build many different creative storage options. Choose a weather-resistant storage space. Wood or metal is best. Plastic containers have storage potential, but only if they're the last option.
- Consider a vertical storage unit. "Horizontal units, like potting benches with storage, can require items to be stacked on top of each other," notes Thomas. Vertical storage works better in many spaces.
- If you need to fit everything in one deck storage cabinet, consider a unit with built-in storage compartments.
2. Label It Up
"When it comes to those shiny new outdoor storage solutions, you’re going to want to make sure everything has its place and is well labeled, but not labeled on the outside of the unit itself!" notes Thomas. Use dry-erase or chalkboard tape to keep things neat. "If space permits, I recommend keeping each outdoor storage solution designated to one specific purpose." This is to say, dedicate a space for your pool toys that's separate from your bug sprays and gardening supplies. Keep attachments for your hose in a different compartment than your grill accessories. Organizing your outdoor items the right way can free up a lot of extra space.
Thomas shares that his outdoor space allows for three vertical storage lockers:
- One holds all his larger items like power tools, lawn tools, garden tools, and cleaning supplies — the outdoor essentials that can otherwise occupy a lot of floor space.
- Another self-storage unit stores his outdoor cooking tools such as grilling tools, appliances, utensils, tableware, spices, etc. all in one space.
- The third locker stores all other outdoor supplies like seasonal items, decorative items and lightweight items, such as board games, outdoor cushions, and blankets that come out when they're relaxing or having a party on the patio space.
3. Light It Up
To extend use of the entertaining areas into the evening, we love fairy lights and decorative elements like smart string lights. "The great outdoors is only great when you can see," agrees Thomas. "While electrical outlets are limited for many patios, backyard spaces, and terraces, there are plenty of options available to help illuminate those social spaces."
"I recently invested in the Philips Hue Smart Lighting system to automate my indoor lighting. Philips Hue makes a wide range of outdoor lighting as well," recommends Thomas. "To keep the space clear of any cords, cable management is key. I use Command™ Outdoor Light Clips to help prevent any tripping hazards. They blend into any outdoor environment."
He adds, "Here's a real pro tip: When it comes to outdoor adhesives, it's VERY IMPORTANT to choose products that are made exclusively for outdoor use." Indoor-rated adhesives can't usually withstand cold temperatures or freeze-thaw cycles.
4. Plug It Up
"The perfect space should be considered an extension of the home, and not just an underutilized bonus space," reminds Thomas. We couldn't agree more; a few summers ago, we put a television on our back porch. "If you have an overhang such as an awning or pergola you can mount a standard indoor TV outside, and keep it protected (and well-organized) using a TV shed. These innovative units keep your TV protected from the elements, and the built-in swivel ensures every area in your backyard can be a prime viewing spot. When adding a TV to your outdoor space, also be sure to invest in back-of-TV mounts to store any equipment like streaming devices or gaming consoles.
