3 Steps to an Organised Shed

Have you ever wanted to find something in your shed—but been so overwhelmed by the mess that you didn’t know where to start? Ever bought an object because you didn’t realise you already had one in your shed? Or ever gotten in an argument with a family member over the state of your shed? If so, you’re not alone! Sheds can be an excellent storage solution, keeping things out of your living space, but still conveniently accessible. But a disorganised shed can lead to stress, fighting, and even financial waste! Follow these tips to get your shed back in shape.

Step 1: Empty the shed

The first step to getting your shed organised is to get everything out of it! And we mean everything – tools, sporting equipment, and that leaf blower you haven’t used since 1993. Lay it all out in the yard. Once everything is out, use the time to clean your shed: sweep the floor, get rid of the cobwebs in the corners, and maybe even paint the walls!

Step 2: Moment of truth

Go through each item and ask yourself the following:

• Does it work? If not, is it worth fixing or having fixed? A bicycle that will cost you $20 or an hour of your time to fix is probably worth it. A dilapidated baby stroller probably isn’t—especially if your children are now in secondary school!

• Do I have more than one of this object? Do I need duplicates? Two rakes…okay. Two window washers…probably not!

• Do I use it? Look at all those things you thought “could come in handy one day.” Have they?

Sort the contents of your shed into three piles: keep, trash, and donate (or sell). Everything that you plan to donate, sell, or throw away should not come back into the shed!

Step 3: Organise

You will probably find that your shed is a lot roomier with all the junk gone. Still, you’ll need to use the space that you have wisely. Think beyond the floor! When you’re moving the “keep” pile back into your shed, remember that floor space is at a premium! Use this space for large items such as power washers or motorcycles—not for piles of tools or sports equipment. Look at the walls; can you hang the hose on a hook, or put up some nails or a rack for tools? Consider adjustable metal shelving, which is sturdy and can be set at whatever height you need. Plastic shoe organisers, or see-through plastic boxes in different sizes, can be a great way to manage things like tools, nails, and smaller items. Remember, your shed storage solutions don’t need to be beautiful—just practical!

There are many ways to organise a shed. How do you tackle it?

Adding Much-Needed Space to Your Home

Does your home seem like it has shrunk around you? It is unlikely that the physical structure has become smaller since you purchased it. There is a better chance that your dream home is no longer big enough to accommodate your exact needs. Before you give up it, though, look out back -- do you have enough land for an out building? Adding out buildings such as sheds to your existing property may be the answer to your current space dilemma.

Storage

Perhaps you would have more room in your main house if you could just find some extra space to store things. Out buildings are the perfect solutions. They offer you the extra space you need combined with easy access. Because your possessions are still on the property, there is no need for a trip to some distant storage unit.

Say for instance, you or someone you live with is a teacher. At the end of the school year, instead of struggling to find room for all of the educational supplies, you can store them outside in a secure, dry location where you can get to them easily next year.

Crafts

Encouraging your children to learn a craft is a fabulous way to spend time with them. Instead of having to worry about pulling the supplies out and then putting them away repeatedly, move the activity outside. You and your little crafter can design the interior of your out building however you see fit. Not only will the space be inviting, it will also save you from having to rush a clean-up if guests show up unexpectedly or you need to leave for another activity.

Training Ground

No matter their ability level, all athletes can benefit from extra training sessions. Instead of finding a location off of your property, you can turn your out building into the perfect training ground. Not only will you save room in your main home, but you will also give your athlete the place they need to hone their skills without fear of breaking things or being interrupted constantly.

Whether you are looking for extra storage space or a place to hone the skills of a budding star, sheds can be the answer to your dilemma. At Fair Dinkum Sheds, we pride ourselves on creating a custom solution for every customer’s needs. Take a look at the space you have available, consider your budget for this purchase and then give us a call. We look forward to helping you create more space in your home.

Shed Misfortune from Your Barn Shed: 5 Security Tips

If you have a barn or a large plot of land, you know how important it is to keep your shed and its contents secure.  The shed is where you store expensive things like hand tools, power tools, tractors and vehicles, and other things like animal feed, fuel and fertilisers.  All of these things keep your land in good order and your animals happy.

If you have a shed or are thinking about building a shed, there's something important that's probably crossed your mind – security.  Since sheds are usually located a considerable distance away from the home, it's important that they have their own means of protection – from fire, thieves and severe weather.  Use these helpful tips below to safeguard your shed and keep it, and its contents, safe.

Tip #1: Equip with Fire Extinguishers

This is the easiest security measure you can take.  Fire extinguishers are relatively inexpensive, plus they protect your shed against the most threatening thing – fire.  Even if you have a metal shed, the contents within it are flammable.  Having a fire extinguisher located within the barn will decrease your risk of losing valuables.

Also, if you have a relatively large shed, buy more than one.  If your shed is partitioned, buy one for each section.  Keep them close to the entrances and readily available.

Tip #2: Install Security Cameras

These aren't as effective as armed sentries, but they do serve a purpose.  As technology has advanced, security cameras have become less expensive and smaller.  This is good for shed owners like you.  It's now affordable to install a camera at each corner of your shed (if it's larger and has multiple entrances).

After installing cameras, don't feel the need to watch them unless you're expecting a late-night visitor.  Although they do serve as a scare tactic, their main purpose isn't to prevent criminal activity.  Their main purpose is to provide valuable information.  Information you can use to reinforce your shed's security.

Tip #3: Build Partition Walls

If you're storing more than one type of item in your shed, partition walls help organize your shed's contents.  In addition to adding organization value to your shed, these walls also keep highly flammable items like hay away from expensive tools and machinery.

Depending on the size and contents of your shed, one or more partition walls may be needed.

Tip #4: Invest in a Heavy Duty Lock

However simple an idea, this flies right over people's heads.  But don't let it fly over yours!

Investing in a heavy duty lock over a cheap lock can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars saved.  If a small-time criminal comes across a heavy duty lock with a cheap pair of cutters, there's no way he's getting in your shed.  What's separating him from that expensive tool of yours is that heavy duty lock you invested in.

Tip #5: Keep it Insured

This tip is especially important if you're storing valuable items in your shed.  If you're using your shed for tractor storage as well as feed storage, this is an area you need to look into.  Even if you don't have existing insurance on your home, it's important to investigate your options.

If you already have insurance, depending on your plan, your shed may already qualify for insurance.  Finding out is as simple as checking with your provider.

Keep these tips in mind and safeguard your shed today.

Picking the Best Designs for Sheds

The way a business designs its facilities and property definitely dictates how much use it gets out of them. When you're choosing your custom designs for sheds, you can't simply get caught up in what looks good. It's critical to follow our basic plan for picking the best options.

The first task to tackle is differentiation. Two shed structures that look the same from the outside can have completely different internal characteristics that change their usefulness. Features like multiple vehicle entry bays, offices, and livestock stalls are all common parts of our many designs for sheds. That's why we strongly advise our customers to look at plans and descriptions with a fine-toothed comb. Only after deciding what the new structure will be used for should you choose a specific model or design.

Another big factor is space. While this seems more obvious to figure out, it's important to remember that two equivalently sized floor plans aren't necessarily going to offer equal convenience. If you're just storing excess stock from one of your retail locations, for instance, you might not need as many square feet as you would for storing a fleet of corporate vehicles, even if you only had a few cars and trucks. Think about how much you have to do to work with and maintain the assets you want to house, and consider how much extra space these activities require. Also remember that different sizes of entryway make it easier to get things in and out, which can be important with long-term storage.

Finally, don't forget the consumer aspect. While many business owners purchase designs for sheds based on their utility alone, others use their facilities for retail consumer interaction, so they require fancier settings and internal fixtures. Designer add-ons like real wooden doors and historically compliant external modifications ensure that your building sets the right tone as well as providing ample space for the tasks you need to perform. Our happiest customers are the ones who consider all of these factors thoroughly before making a final selection.

A Shed Increases Valuable Storage Space

The common shed has been a large part of the Australian lifestyle since settlement. In the early days, sheds provided living quarters for much of the population. For example, thousands of returing servicemen from World War I and II, under the Soldier Settlement Acts, found themselves living in sheds on their newly acquired land until their houses were built. These makeshift homes were then converted to garages, but their functionality was versatile and vital for the early settlement of the country. We strongly believe that the addition of a shed is the best solution to storage needs not only for domestic purposes but also for the logistics of many businesses.

A shed provides essential storage. We are fully aware that different storage facilities are required for different needs; therefore, we offer expert assistance to help tailor shed designs. The right shed enables it to be used for its intended purpose with complete satisfaction. A well-considered design is also paramount for the safety of family members and employees who may be accessing the building. A shed that is organised and easy to use makes storing just about any item a breeze.

Sheds can be adapted to suit individual needs. Options such as mezzanine flooring, additional bays, wall dividers and office and studio areas make the structure a great asset to any property. Extensions to a shed can allow for the inclusion of more specialised facilities such as kitchenettes and bathrooms or even laundries if the workplace requires such services for employees. Lean-to and carport options provide more storage space for things such as trailers and horse floats. We provide a variety of door designs and lighting choices to help secure the contents of the shed. Lockable bays or storage sheds are vital for stowing away chemicals and other hazardous materials.

Tailoring the design of a shed to meet the unique needs of the customer is our thing. We know sheds and know that a carefully considered structure can increase the storage capacity of any property. Whether it is a shed for storing livestock feed, valuable machinery, or priceless possessions, the right shed can save you both time and money by providing a safe storage facility.