Now that we’re heading into May, with the bank holidays and (hopefully) a bit of sunshine, it’s that time of year when we start turning our attention outside.

You might be thinking about the garden, tidying the patio, or what you’d like to plant this year. And somewhere along the way, your shed, garage, or outdoor storage space probably comes into view too.

I always think of these spaces as the last stop before things actually leave the house.

It’s where things go when we’re not quite ready to decide.
“I’m not sure if I need this… I’ll put it in the shed.”
“I might still use that… it can go in the garage.”

And then it sits there. Sometimes for years.

I think most people would find something like that if they had a proper look. An old chair from a relative, a tool from a previous house, something that came from a neighbour years ago; and it just… stayed.

Often not being used, maybe a bit rusty or mouldy, but not quite dealt with either.

Which is a shame really, because these spaces are actually incredibly useful. They don’t need to look pretty or styled - they’re there to be practical and to give you that bit of breathing room in the house.

But so often they end up packed floor to ceiling with things we don’t need, or don’t even realise are in there.

So this month, I wanted to gently focus on how we can make those spaces work better for you.

Not by emptying everything out onto the driveway (because let’s be honest, that’s overwhelming and not how most people want to spend a bank holiday weekend), but by starting small.

It might be as simple as tackling one box.

Maybe there’s a container of old magazines you already know you don’t want — you just haven’t got round to recycling them. That’s an easy win.

Or a toolbox that’s become a bit of a dumping ground. Ours definitely has. Taking the time to empty it out, get rid of the rusty nails, the random fixings from long-gone flatpack furniture, the bits you’ve been keeping “just in case”… it makes a real difference.

If you're a gardener, it’s a good moment to look at your tools too. Are they still usable? Do they just need a clean and a bit of oil? Or are they past it? Getting them back into good working order means you’ll actually enjoy using them again.

And then there’s how the space itself works.

If you’re storing things that need to stay dry, it’s worth moving them into sealed containers rather than old cardboard boxes that can get damp or squashed.

Simple things like hooks can make a big difference too. Hanging tools up where you can see them means you’re far more likely to use them — and put them back in the same place afterwards.

We’ve got a large hook in our shed that holds a sledge. It only comes out once or twice a year if we’re lucky, but it was mine as a child, so I want to keep it. It lives quietly on its hook, out of the way, but easy to find when we need it.

And a small side note — if you’re not a fan of spiders and creepy crawlies, having fewer piles, boxes and hidden corners really does help. Fewer places for them to settle!

Once you’ve made even a small shift in these spaces, it changes how they feel. They become easier to use, easier to navigate, and actually support you rather than frustrate you.

And it means you can get back to the nicer part of this time of year - being outside, enjoying your garden, and having what you need to hand when you need it.

You might even come across a few things you no longer use that could be sold on, and turned into something you’d enjoy more (or at the very least, something nice for the BBQ).

If this is a space you’ve been avoiding, you’re not alone. And if you’d like some help tackling it, I’m always here - no pressure, no judgement, just a calm, practical approach.

Ruth

May 2026