Five years ago when I built the storage building in my backyard, I thought I had built one that we could easily grow into.  I could not have been more wrong.  Our lack of storage space is now overflowing back into our home.

Had I to do it all over again, here are a few things I would have done differently.

• I would have doubled what I thought I would need in the future
• I would have built more built-in shelves
• I would have added a loft and a lot more pegboard
• I would have built a ramp instead of stairs
• I would have added a door so there would be one on each end
• I would have added a window and electricity for at least one light
• I would have hung a series of hooks for ladders, bikes and other items that could be hung off the floor

If I had to choose one (outside of just more space) I would choose the addition of another door.  When you need that one item that your wife said she only uses once in a blue moon so you put it at the back of the shed…  Well, you know what I mean.  It takes a day to unload the shed, find the item and repack the shed.  At least it gets cleaned out. 

Whether you choose to call it a shed, a storage unit or a barn, its main purpose is to house stuff that can withstand some temperature changes and stuff that doesn’t belong or fit in your house. If your shed doubles as a garage, you’ll want to make sure you maintain enough room for your cars.  However, with a bit of organization you will have room for many other things as well.

By adding a few simple shelves, which can be both hand-made and attached to the walls, or purchased and assembled as free-standing units, you’ll increase the storage capacity immensely and almost immediately. A trip to your local home improvement store is sure to give you many ideas as to what’s available for such things as hanging rakes, shovels or other tools with long handles.

There are even hooks which make it possible to hang bicycles from the rafters and don’t forget the pegboard.  With a few changes and additions you will have much more than a storage shed, you will have an organizers work of art.