A 12×16 shed is a very large shed compared to other backyard shed plans. There are several ways to get even more storage space out of your new shed construction project. Most shed organization tips are simple ideas that you’ve probably heard of or even used before. But it’s helpful to plan your shed organization project before you build it. So we’ve put together a checklist of the many commonly used shed organization techniques.
get things off the floor
Storing smaller items, and sometimes even large items off the floor, is key to a well-organized shed. There’s nothing worse than not being able to get into your shed because “everything” gets in the way of what you really need. When everything is laid out on the floor, you’re essentially creating a pile and piles that don’t allow you to find much of anything. They also waste a lot of good storage space. Almost all of these storage tips have to do with getting things off the floors.
hang things on the walls
A great way to get hand tools off the floor or out of a corner is to hang them on the 12×16 shed wall. Regardless of how you do it, the point is to create more storage space on the shed walls. A 12×16 shed plan has over 400 square feet of wall space. I usually choose a wall that is close to the doors to place the hooks to hang tools. This allows easy access to frequently used tools. There are many tool hanging accessories available at your local home store. These hooks are made for all kinds of things like bikes, shovels and rakes, ladders, fishing rods, and just about anything else.
Install shelving and use containers
Shelves can simply be made from store-bought scrap lumber and screwed to the wall. Some shelving systems come with small modular bins to store small items like nuts and bolts or nails. Using a modular sized container allows you to stack them neatly, maximizing shelf space.
build a workbench
A 12×16 shed is large enough to hold a workbench. If your shed plans didn’t include instructions on how to build a workbench, there are several free ones online or at your public library. Even if you don’t plan on using the shed as a work area, a sturdy workbench will provide raised storage space and allow larger tools, such as a lawnmower, to be stored underneath.
Hang things from the rafters
There are two ways to hang things from the joists of a 12×16 shed. First, you can frame a hanging platform. This platform can be in the center of the shed or along the walls, like a large shelf. How far from the ceiling you hang it depends on what you’re storing and how much space you need underneath. Look at the things you want to store and how much of the shed you need as work space and then decide how big the hanging shelf needs to be. This type of rack works best when the height of the shed wall is 8 feet high. So if the shelf is 1 foot or 2 feet from the ceiling, it will still be about 6 feet tall. If you don’t want a permanent rack, there are pulley systems designed to lift and store bikes and car racks. There are even little platforms that are attached to pulleys so they can be lifted up close to the ceiling after you’ve put your stuff on them.
Whatever your storage techniques, it’s wise to sit down before you build your shed and figure out how to best organize everything you plan to put in the shed. A little planning will save you years of climbing things that are haphazardly placed on the shed floor and will maximize the investment you made in your storage shed in the first place. So check your 12×16 shed plans to see if any of these storage techniques are included on them. If not, you can simply find or design them yourself and then install them on your shed walls.