Organizing, Redesign & Staging

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Outdoor Toys & Backyard Stuff

Outdoor space can be organized, too. Storage options have become plentiful if you check out patio bins, cabinets, etc., for holding BBQ items, cushions, gardening gear and more. Anything you normally use outdoors can be taken from the garage or basement and put closer to where it is used.

From plastic to weather-resistant wood, deck boxes and storage benches are available and can be placed on a deck for additional storage space. Some are made to be benches so serve a dual role.

If you have kids, then you know that there are a lot of outdoor-only toys that need containing, too, and I recommend having an outdoor storage option that doesn't rely on you to get or open. Try using a plastic lidded box (see examples in photos) to store summer toys, balls, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and sports gear. Putting it by a swingset or other convenient locations ensures that kids can get to it themselves, and makes it easier for yard clean-up.

Remember, organizing should make finding things and putting things back easier, and follow the guideline of "store items close to where they are used".