Backyard Organization Tips Every Busy Parent Should Know
Your backyard should be like a sanctuary, but it’s something that often ends up looking like a toy store that’s exploded. Combine that with a lack of effort made on the upkeep of shrubs, plants and the lawn, and you’ve got an outdoor space that becomes less appealing to be in.
As the warmer months are upon us, it’s important to notice what efforts you can make to get organized. Busy parents don’t often have hours to spend tidying up every evening or on the weekends, and that’s why management of your outdoor clutter matters.
By doing it properly, it should be a low-effort and kid-friendly system that makes cleanup fast and automatic.
The "Throw-and-Go" Toy Bin Strategy
If you’re expecting kids to neatly organize small toys into specific categories outside, then you’re likely to be disappointed. Of course, kids can be trained over time to tidy up, but they’re not always going to do it of their own accord.
That’s why it’s good to have some heavy-duty, rolling plastic bins or open mesh laundry hampers that help to tidy things away quickly and without much effort.
You could also designate one large, weatherproof deck box in which all bins get tossed at the end of the day. That way, it helps to keep everything tidy and not cluttered out on the lawn.
Maximize Vertical Wall Space
It’s always beneficial to maximize vertical wall space because it’s something you likely already do indoors. Installing heavy-duty hooks or a pegboard on the side of the fence or shed is helpful to have. Make sure your shed is on a shed base to keep it stable.
Hanging adult-only items completely out of reach is helpful. Think of your lawn tools, sharp shears, and any chemicals you might use currently in the garden. Make sure these are completely out of reach.
For the lower shelves, think about kid-safe wire baskets for pool noodles, chalk, and other outdoor toys that children can grab and return items independently.
Create a Dedicated "Mud and Mess" Zone
It’s helpful to make space outdoors for your kids to enjoy. For example, a ‘mud and mess’ zone is great for containing mess to just one specific area in order to prevent it from spreading across the entirety of the lawn.
You should also look at grouping items like the sandbox, water table, and mud kitchen, all in a designated corner. It means there’s less clutter in other areas of the garden that you might want to use for lounging.
Installing an outdoor shoe rack and a boot-jack near the back door helps to keep your muddy footprints out of the house instead of treading them in.
Get Organized With Your Yard
An organized yard helps save time, as well as reduce stress, and helps to teach kids about accountability.
If you do anything for your backyard right now, look at getting a waterproof rolling bin and make this your anchor for doing a five-minute evening cleanup to keep on top of the clutter.
