They say that a tidy house is a tidy mind, but the same applies to your outdoor space, too. After all, many people find it difficult to enjoy their gardens or balconies when it’s a cluttered mess of furniture, plant pots, toys and more. And when the weather is this glorious, you need to make the most of your outdoor space.
Yes, there’s nothing quite like sitting in the garden while the temperatures are soaring and the sun is shining. But gardens in the UK are often multi-use areas, serving as chill-out spaces, outdoor kitchens, growing spaces, and kids’ play areas. And this can result in a disorganised, cluttered outdoor area that’s overrun with so many things.
But if you want a spotless patio, a clear grass area, or just a garden that doesn’t fill you with dread every time you open the back door, it’s well worth taking inspiration from the things that people with tidy outdoor spaces always have. And these space-savvy solutions can help you enjoy your garden without compromising on practicality.
1. A shed (or other storage)
The first step towards a tidy anything is storage - whether that’s inside or outside the house. And by having proper garden storage, you have the option to give everything a home, from your kids’ toys to your gardening tools. In many cases, a shed is best. However, you can also use other types of storage, from bike stores to smaller garden storage boxes and garden wardrobes.
When you have this main storage option in your garden, you can then go one step further to add another layer of organisation. And if you want to organise a shed to keep all your garden tools in one place instead of cluttering up your patio or grass area, using something like this Keter Corner Tool Storage Rack (£28 at Argos) can keep everything neat and organised.
By putting all the ugly-but-practical items that would typically be on show behind a shed door or inside a storage box, you can reduce visual clutter and enjoy the natural beauty of your garden instead. Just remember to regularly declutter the contents of your storage to ensure you’re only keeping what you really need behind these closed doors or lids.
To keep bikes out of the way and protected from the elements, a bike store like this can work wonders. But it can also be used to store wheelie bins, gardening tools, cushions, and more.
If you don't have space for a large shed, this compact option is still so versatile for garden storage. It also comes in four colourways to suit your garden and style.
If you already have a shed but feel like you need some extra storage to keep clutter at bay, a storage box like this is both affordable and practical. It'll double up as seating when you need it, too.
2. Multi-purpose furniture
Whether you have a big garden or a cosier outdoor area, the best garden furniture often takes up the most space. And when you have bigger pieces - or even multiple pieces - of furniture coupled with everyday garden items, it can make a space look messy and cluttered. That’s why opting for multi-purpose furniture can make such a difference.
This could be choosing a foldable bistro set like this CASARIA 3-Piece Bistro Table and Chairs (£79.99 at Amazon) for smaller balconies, so it can be folded away when not in use, or even choosing garden furniture that comes with hidden storage so you can once again hide the garden clutter that would typically be on show.
As garden furniture can often serve multiple uses, Ideal Home’s garden furniture guru, Sara, also loves it when one piece of furniture can double up as both a lounging area and a dining area. The space this frees up can instantly make a space feel tidier.
This multi-functional piece of furniture really does have it all. It comes with a 3-seater sofa, a bench, and a stool so you can configure it to your own needs, and they can be stored inside the sofa when you're not using them.
This set combines dining and seating in one piece of furniture, thanks to the height adjustable table - and there are even shelves on either side for your drinks. Plus, it comes in three colourways.
If you want to combine your garden seating with storage, this storage bench ticks both boxes. It even has built-in ventilation and is lockable to keep the contents inside safe.
3. Dedicated ‘zones’
Your outdoor space serves so many purposes, and it is often where clutter builds up. And it’s when these areas and purposes overlap that garden items start to take over the usable space and impact how you feel when you’re hanging out in the garden. Because of this, it’s important to consider your garden layout.
If you want to maintain a tidy garden, it’s a good idea to create dedicated ‘zones’ for each purpose, keeping items related to this zone contained within that area. For example, you could use this Yaheetech Garden Potting Table (£59.99 at Amazon) to keep all of your spare pots, gardening tools, and seedlings away from your patio, which should ideally just be reserved for seating.
Of course, you can integrate an outdoor kitchen into your patio, too, but even then, you should use creative storage and furniture options to create a distinct divide between the seating and cooking areas. This will allow you to enjoy these spaces separately, without unwanted clutter spilling from one to the next.
Ideal for storing a tabletop BBQ or pizza oven, this outdoor kitchen unit will give you a designated space for prepping and cooking in the garden.
If you want to start growing your own fruit and veg or fill your garden with blooms, raised planters like this help to keep them in your 'growing zone.'
A great way to distinguish between zones is to use a visible barrier, and using interlocking decking tiles like this can help to separate a seating area from the rest of the garden.
4. Vertical solutions
One of the best ways to maintain a tidy garden is to keep as much as possible off the floor, as this curbs clutter and even makes it look more expensive. But this doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice all of your belongings to keep your outdoor space organised. You just need to work with your vertical space, instead.
This can also work in your favour, as moving your potted plants to the side of your patio or lawn can hide an ugly fence or garden wall and free up usable space. But this can also work for practical items, like your garden tools or your washing line.
In fact, ditching your freestanding washing line for a wall-mounted version like this Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line (£148 at Amazon) is one of the best ways to tidy up your outside space and ensure you’re only using your main garden area for fun, summer activities. The same applies to your garden hose, as nobody wants to trip over that with a plateful of BBQ sausages.
If you need some extra storage for garden tools or even children's toys, a wall (or fence)-mounted rack like this can instantly make things neater.
Planters like this can add privacy to a garden, while also ridding your patio of countless pots that can make it look cluttered.
A retractable washing line is ideal for smaller gardens or those who don't want a freestanding line cluttering up their outdoor space.
5. Robot lawn mower
A long and unruly lawn always makes my garden look so much messier than it is, and that’s why another thing people with tidy outdoor areas always have is a lawn mower. After all, lawns often take up a large area of a garden, so keeping them neat can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the outdoor space.
And while the best lawn mowers come in various shapes and sizes, the best robot lawn mowers are gaining traction - and for good reason, too. They’re hands-free, quick and efficient, and they’re becoming smarter and smarter, which means that they do an incredible job, too.
Our Gardens Editor, Sophie, is a huge fan of robot lawn mowers and credits them for her tidy garden. This is especially true when it comes to the mental side of things, as when she keeps the lawn tidy, this gives her motivation to keep the rest of the space tidy and clutter-free.
Eufy E15 Robot Lawn Mower
A huge hit with our Gardens Editor, this Eufy robot lawn mower is intuitive and provides an even cut - all while avoiding the obstacles in your garden.
Mammotion YUKA Mini 2 1000 Robot Lawn Mower with LiDAR
If you're worried a robot lawn mower will leave you without your lawn stripes, think again! This model left satisfying stripes when Sophie tested it.
Bosch VISIMOW18V-100
If you want a budget-friendly, entry-level model, this one should tick all of your boxes. It has an easy three-button setup and offers an impressive cut.
Once you've tidied your garden, it'll be so much easier to keep it tidy too!
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