How to Organize Outdoor Spaces

Are you looking for unique ways to organize your outdoor spaces? We have the ideas to get you started for your next DIY organization project. Check out our top projects, discussion boards, video tutorials, and slideshows. Organizing your outdoor spaces can be easy and fun once you get your inspiration and direction from our Hometalk community.

Outdoor BBQ Storage Bin

Tips for Organizing Outdoors

Divide areas by types of use: Take your outdoor space and divide it up into different zones. These may include somewhere to eat, a play area, and a tool storage space.
Hide storage space in furniture: Use patio furniture as the hiding place for cushions, cutlery, and other items. Benches and sofas that open up or have drawers are ideal.
Create paths to each different zone: Build paths that take you from one zone to the next without trampling the grass or damaging plants. There are plenty of easy ideas for paths.
Get a shed for storing tools: Don’t leave gardening tools lying around where they can get lost or damaged. Buy or make a shed to keep them all nice and safe.
Use plants as natural dividers: Create natural dividers between zones using plants. This will help each area to stand out and make your outdoor space easier to maintain.

More organizing categories

Top Projects for Organizing Outdoor Spaces

Visit our top DIY outdoor spaces organization projects. Prepare to be impressed.

Outdoor BBQ Storage Bin

Here’s a robust storage solution for your tongs, charcoal and other random grilling stuff. Plus a great gift idea for Father’s Day!

Thea

Small storage for along the side of a house

This small shed provides extra storage along the side of the house without encroaching on yard space.

Historic Shed

Outdoor Garbage Can Storage From Pallets

My husband was determined to make something to help keep the raccoons out of his brother's trash as it was strewn across the lawn several mornings in a row while we were there. We wanted to make a low budget storage unit for the garbage to be concealed and protected. We picked up a handful of free pallets and bought some hinges and paint and made this crate-like creation. The very next morning we saw paw prints, but all the trash was safely sitting in its proper place.

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

Very Sturdy But Cute Hose Guards

When I pull my hoses around a corner, invariably it drags right through my flowers and rips some out. To solve this problem I bought cheap plastic hose guards at the hardware store. Hubby hit them with the mower and several of them broke. So I went back to said hardware store and bought the expensive iron ones. Very cute but the screw-in part rusted through in one season. UGH! So I made these. After I collected all my supplies, they took about 45 minutes to make, including the time it took my handy husband to cut the pipe for me and including the time it took to pound ten of them into the ground.

Kim

Hose Reel solution for yard and garden,outdoor faucet extension/remote

Got tired of the cheap plastic hose reels that don't last. Plus my dumb house builder, put the water spigots behind the AC units(real smart). So I built this to make the water much more accessible. I mounted an aluminum hose reel, up high, so no bending down, just a simple crank type. Plus used HD washing machine hoses (stainless steel 5/8" braided, not the typical 3/8"), with ball type spigots with quick disconnects from Lee Valley; so now I just leave the spigots behind the AC units on all the time; when winter comes, just remove hoses and shut off water. Also added copper post tops. Features 2-tap water spigots, and 2-well water spigots. Plus room for expansion, and to hang things on back and sides. Came out nice. The 2 upright posts ,are cemented in; the bottom cross members serve 2-fuctions, 1) were part of the overall design, 2) to hold in place/level while concrete dried. Plus I put Treated 4x4's around the entire area with pea-gravel. Was always muddy here(not much sun). Just have to stain a a few weeks. I drilled many holes and spaces around the perimeter for drainage; as I wanted to ensure the area doesn't fill up with water in heavy rains. (Note: I had one of those watered powered hose reels before, never really worked, you would need much higher than average water pressure to make these work properly; so I went back to simplicity- less problems I hope.) The reel was about $80, with the wood, hardware and plumbing etc, total cost about $400 (already had the hose and water timer). UPDATE 5-30-2014: The only issue I had was plumbing parts from Lowe's and Home Depot. First I had used Galvanized nipples to go through the 4x4 to attached the faucets, they were rusting badly at the threads, and I replaced with Brass nipples. Secondly was the faucets, the faucet handles started rusting within months, these are outdoor faucets, and should not rust. I returned them, and ordered my faucets online, and they had a upgrade option for Stainless Steel handles; which I ordered and installed, now all is good again. Ordered the faucets with stainless steel handles from http://www.arrowheadbrass.com UPDATE 6-5-2015: Due to freezing temperatures, I've been removing the spigots in winter. This year, I removed the hoses, but instead of removing the spigots, I just unscrewed the lag bolts on the cross members, and took the wood with spigots attached indoors for the winter, much quicker and easier.

Clay B

Trash Can Patio

Finally decided where to permanently place my outdoor trash and recycle cans. Now to build the Trash Can Patio! The future finished look will include a trellis where the pallet is, a butterfly bush in front of everything, new landscaping timber for edging, and a butterfly bush in front of everything to soften the corner of the house. Will post again when finished!

Amanda M

Hose Pot Without the Hose Pot Price!

I crafted my flower pot tower earlier this summer. I loved the look but hated the curled hose at the base. It just looked ugly, and it ruined the look! The cheapest hose pot I could find that was attractive and not plain was $50! I didn't want to spend that much, because I have a hose at the front and at the back. No, I'm not spending $100 just to hide hoses. So I put my crafter hat on and bought two large pots at the local home improvement store for $10 each! Check out the results below. MUCH better!

Matt

Make a Pot Rack Using a Drapery Rod.

I wanted a pot rack "on the cheap", and one that matched my existing decor.

Millie

From Child's Roll Top Desk to Counter Potting Shed!

I found myself constantly going out to our potting area in a dreary area of our barn, getting what I needed to start seeds or cuttings and coming back up to our porch outdoor kitchen counter to do them. A while back I bought a kids roll top desk, and although the bottom portion was a little rickety, the top was in good shape. After all the trips back and forth out there, I thought it would make a great counter top potting shed.

Vicki Rogers

Outdoor BBQ Storage Bin

Here’s a robust storage solution for your tongs, charcoal and other random grilling stuff. Plus a great gift idea for Father’s Day!

Thea

Small storage for along the side of a house

This small shed provides extra storage along the side of the house without encroaching on yard space.

Historic Shed

Outdoor Garbage Can Storage From Pallets

Amanda C, Hometalk Team

Very Sturdy But Cute Hose Guards

Kim

Hose Reel solution for yard and garden,outdoor faucet extension/remote

Clay B

Trash Can Patio

Amanda M

Hose Pot Without the Hose Pot Price!

Matt

Make a Pot Rack Using a Drapery Rod.

I wanted a pot rack "on the cheap", and one that matched my existing decor.

Millie

From Child's Roll Top Desk to Counter Potting Shed!

Vicki Rogers

Outdoor Space Organization Videos

Check out our DIY video tutorials on how to organize your outdoor spaces. Enjoy.

Tire Rim Water Hose Holder

If you're looking for a quick project to brighten up your yard this summer, here's something to consider, especially if your water hose is just coiled up on the ground. I've seen similar ideas so I thought I'd try my hand at it and I love how this upcycle turned out!

Rob & Courtney M, Hometalk Team

Popular Outdoor Space Organizing Discussions

Join the discussion board on organizing outdoor spaces. See what's trending now.

How can I hang a hose reel on the siding of the house?

/> Roxanne Howell

I am trying to hang a hose hangers to the side of the house near the spigot but having a horrible time finding the wall stud or wall behind it to drill! I don’t want to end up with a bunch of holes in the siding. Tks!

View discussion

How can I keep my pool thermometer from going into the skimmer?

/> Rachelmimi

The thermometer comes with a leash that can be attached to the side of the pool. I don't have any place that it can tie to. It keeps getting sucked into the skimmer.

View discussion

I'm looking for an inexpensive way to divide my backyard.

/> Pam Johnson

I have 3 dogs and 7 grandchildren and I would like to divide my backyard so the kids have a place to play without the kids jumping. Putting up a fence and gate is going to cost between $500 and $1000. Does anyone have any diy suggestions that would cost less and look good? Open to anything but it does need to be sturdy, one of the dogs is a great Pyrenees. Thanks

View discussion

How to make a garden hose storage pot?

/> Sherry

Anyone have ideas for homemade garden hose storage pot with a lid? Thank you for any ideas on making one.

View discussion

Other

More

Tips for Organizing Outdoors

Divide areas by types of use

Hide storage space in furniture

Create paths to each different zone

Get a shed for storing tools

Use plants as natural dividers

Basement

Closet

Command Centers & Boards

Desks

Garage

Kitchen

Pantry

Shoes

Storage Ideas

Basement

Closet

Command Centers & Boards

Desks

Garage

Kitchen

Pantry

Shoes

Storage Ideas