How To Get More Storage Space From Your 12 x 16 Shed Plans
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 from your new shed construction project. Most shed organization tips are simple ideas that you’ve probably heard or even used before. But it helps to plan your shed organization project before you build. Therefore, we have put together a checklist of the many commonly used shed organization techniques.
Get things off the ground
Storing smaller items, and sometimes even large items, off the floor is key to a well-organized shed. There is nothing worse than not being able to get into your shed because “everything” is in the way of what you really need. When everything is laid out on the ground, you are basically creating a pile and piles that don’t allow you to find much of anything. They also waste a lot of storage space. Most of these storage tips are about getting things off the ground.
Hang things on the walls
A great way to get your hand tools off the floor or out of a corner is to hang them on the wall of the 12×16 shed. Regardless of how you do it, the goal 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 for hanging tools. This allows easy access to frequently used tools. There are many accessories for hanging tools 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 wood and bolted to the wall. Some shelving systems come with small modular containers for storing small items like nuts and bolts or nails. Using a modular size container allows you to stack them neatly, this maximizes shelf space.
Build a workbench
A 12×16 shed is big enough to have a workbench. If your shed plans didn’t include instructions on how to build a workbench, there are several free ones on the internet or at your public library. Even if you don’t plan on using the shed as a work area, a sturdy workbench will provide storage space off the ground and allow for larger tools like a lawnmower underneath.
Hang things from the rafters
There are two ways to hang things from the rafters 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 are storing and how much space you need under it. Look at the things you want to store and how much shed you need as your workspace and then decide how big the hanging shelf should be. This type of shelf works best when the height of the shed wall is 8 feet high. Then if the shelf is between 1 and 2 feet below the ceiling, it will still have about 6 feet of headroom. If you don’t want a permanent rack, there are pulley systems designed for lifting and storing bicycles and car top racks. There are even little platforms that are attached to pulleys so they can be lifted close to the ceiling after you’ve put your things on them.
Whatever your storage techniques, it is wise to sit down before building 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 scaling things that are randomly placed on the shed floor and maximize the investment you have 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 in them. If not, you can simply find or design them yourself and then install them on your shed walls.