5 Steps to Take Back the Shed

“Where are you gonna keep that??”

“In the shed.”

This is the way the conversation goes, but once something is relegated to the shed, it may never return. And so the cool stuff you can’t pass up begins to pile up. It starts in a very organized manner, with nice neat stacks and racks. Over time things become less orderly in the shed. In the late stages of clutter, you barely look when you toss something in.

As a kid I didn’t really understand the point of Spring Cleaning. I thought, why would you wait for spring to clean something? Why not just do it? Youthful ignorance at its finest. Spring Cleaning is more than just dusting, it’s a fresh start. It’s about finding new life in the things you already have.

As we grow older and collect more things for our homes we get to a point and realize we have whole spaces of our lives dedicated to things that we just don’t know what to do with. Instead of passing things on, or throwing them out, we hold on. It’s part of the human condition.

The spaces that could benefit the most from Spring Cleaning are often the spaces we forget about. You have a choice, you can clean out your closet, again. Or, you could face your fear and tackle the shed. Often times they become cluttered unused spaces in the back yard. Once they get full, the spiders take over, and you are happy to surrender ownership. But what could happen if you took it back? Maybe you could turn it into a workspace? A studio? A guest bedroom? Outdoor kitchen? Turns out the possibilities are endless.

1.  If your shed is overflowing with neat stuff you have collected over the years, the first step is go through it. Let go of the things that you haven’t looked at in the past 5 years. You don’t need to hold on to everything.

2.  Adding insulation, will help keep the temperature regulated throughout the year. Using a space heater during the colder months means it wouldn’t be just for the summer.

3.  Windows can make all the difference. Whether you need to add some to let a little light in, or upgrade the old broken ones, it’s a worthwhile investment. New windows can even help with the insulation.

4.  Make sure it has a proper entry, a fully functional door that opens easily and seals tight is crucial. This will protect your “new” space from critters and weather.

5.  Once you have decided what you’re keeping, and what you want to do with the space, bring in the proper furniture. Whether it’s a workbench, storage shelves, desk or even a bed. Putting this decision off will only open up your new space to being taken back by spiders and future cool things. Finish the job and get the items you need now and take advantage of your new space!