Making the most of your shed

Sheds are notoriously known for storing the lawnmower, old garden tools and generally unused household junk, but with the hottest months looming there's never been a better time to make use of the one garden item we take for granted the most.

After recently questioning more than 1,000 shed owners across the UK Ronseal has found that;

• 64% of people never, or rarely, go in their sheds.


• 71% use their sheds for long-term storage or as a junk room.


• One in ten people admitted using their shed as a place to escape the house when domestic arguments kicked off.


• 18% admitted kitting theirs out with a comfortable armchair or sofa, 16% had carpet and curtains and a homely 14% even had a TV.

Ronseal has teamed up with celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock to provide some expert pointers on getting the best out of your garden shed.

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How to make the most of your shed

• Keep your shed in tip top condition by coating it with a hard wearing shed and fence stain - these come in a range of colours. Go for a water-based product that is eco friendly, as not only will you be making the wood look great, but you'll be doing your bit for the environment too.



• Compartmentalise your shed - make a list of all the things that you want to use it for and allocate each of them a dedicated section in your shed i.e. a potting area, storage for any electrical appliances, putting away garden furniture etc.



• Use your shed for collecting, sorting and re-processing your household waste. If you don't have the space for individual containers, invest in a recycling bin with compartments for different recyclable items such as paper, glass, plastics and aluminum.



• Many people use their sheds as art and craft areas. Doing this kind of activity can be very messy indoors, especially if children are involved, so using your shed can be much more practical and fun.



• Finally, consider turning your shed into an office area if you're lacking room indoors. With a little bit of care and attention you can quickly transform it with a desk, heater and chair, and it can be a great private space to really concentrate in.

For more information on Ronseal's range of woodcare products please visit www.ronseal.co.uk/eco.

More advice from Charlie Dimmock

- Guide to home composting
- Making the most of your decking