We’ve been moving things around a lot lately, shifting utilities and storage between spaces, and it’s turned our storage into a bit of a jumble. For the past couple of years we’d planned to add a backyard workshop, but recent city regulations made that option impossible. Instead, we chose Plan B: convert our existing pool shed into a functional workshop and reorganize the surrounding storage accordingly.
Turning a pool shed into a workspace meant a lot of shuffling. Lawn and pool equipment moved into a small closet inside the pool shed, pool toys were relocated to a different storage shed, and garage tools were transferred into the shed that will soon function as our workshop. The process was chaotic at times, but it forced us to rethink how we store everything and to create efficient systems for small outdoor storage spaces.
Here’s a quick look at the pool toy closet after we cleared out the old dressing bench and relocated pool items. It was a blank slate that needed a practical, low-cost makeover to handle tools, chemicals, and seasonal gear.
We removed worn vinyl flooring down to the concrete subfloor and gave the paneling a fresh coat of leftover white paint. Simple cosmetic changes instantly brightened the space and made it feel larger and cleaner.
Budget and materials: much of the transformation used items we already had, and the extra purchases totaled roughly $250. The goal was to create a functional, organized space without overinvesting in a temporary solution while the shed serves multiple roles.
Cubby Shelf for Small Storage
We brought in a cubby shelf and added baskets to corral small items: gardening gloves, protective gear, weed repellent, insecticide, and hand tools. The cubby keeps these odds and ends contained and creates a tidy surface for potting and prep work.
Hanging Power Lawn Tools
For larger power tools—edger, weed eater, and other yard equipment—we installed heavy-duty mounts on the wall. Vertical storage frees floor space, keeps cords and engines off the ground, and makes tools easy to grab when needed.
Mounted Hand Tools
Simple wall hangers are ideal for rakes, shovels, brooms, and other long-handled tools. Mounting them at multiple heights allows flexible placement and reduces clutter. Grouping similar tools together makes it faster to find what you need for yard work.
To keep the shed’s exterior neat from the pool area, we installed a simple vinyl roller shade to conceal stored equipment. This small addition maintains a clean backyard appearance while preserving quick access to tools.
Result: a more functional, accessible outdoor storage system. Everything is easier to find and maintain, which saves time when working outside. The new layout also helps protect equipment and keeps hazardous materials out of reach.
If you’re planning a similar project, here are a few practical tips based on our experience:
- Start by sorting: declutter, discard or donate items you no longer use, and group what’s left by purpose (garden, pool, tools).
- Use vertical space: wall mounts, pegboard, and shelves make small sheds much more efficient.
- Keep a dedicated chemistry zone: store fertilizers, pesticides, and pool chemicals separately and off the floor in clearly labeled containers.
- Choose durable mounts rated for the weight of your tools to ensure safety and longevity.
- Lighten the space visually with a fresh coat of paint and add task lighting for safer access after dusk.
We still have more to do as the pool shed becomes a full workshop, but this initial reorganization made a big difference. No one is happier about the change than Robert—he can finally find every tool he needs without hunting through piles of stuff.
For additional organizing inspiration, consider exploring room-by-room solutions such as bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and closet organization ideas that apply the same principles: clear zones, accessible storage, and smart use of vertical space.