Tidy Tools & Sunny Spaces: How to Organize Your Garden and Summer Gear

Written By Sarah Casey

Summer Simplification Tips from a professional organizer

Summer is full of sunshine, fresh blooms, and outdoor fun — but it can also bring a surprising amount of clutter. Between gardening tools, patio cushions, pool toys, and sunscreen, it’s easy for your outdoor spaces to feel more chaotic than calm. The good news? A little organization can go a long way. In this post, I’ll walk you through simple ways to tidy up your garden tools and summer gear so you can enjoy the season without the mess.

Pool Toys & Floaties

Common Problem: Wet, bulky, and hard to store
Tips:

  • Use a mesh laundry hamper or pop-up bin for drying and daily storage

  • Mount a labeled bin near the pool or patio for quick toss-in

  • Hang mesh bags from hooks or fences to keep them off the ground

  • End-of-season tip: deflate, dry fully, and store in a lidded tote with silica packets

Sunscreen, Bug Spray & Summer Skincare

Common Problem: Scattered bottles everywhere, often forgotten or expired
Tips:

  • Corral daily-use products in a small caddy near your door

  • Keep a mini version in your car or beach bag

  • Check expiration dates monthly and toss what’s old

  • Use a labeled basket for overflow stock (not in direct sunlight)

Gardening Gloves, Hand Tools & Ties

Common Problem: Lost in the shuffle, dirty, or rusty
Tips:

  • Hang a small wall-mounted bin or pocket organizer in your shed or garage

  • Keep a tool tote for active gardening days

  • Rinse and dry tools weekly to prevent rust

  • Store sharp tools blade-down in a sand-filled bucket to protect them (and your hands)

Patio Cushions & Blankets

Common Problem: Faded, soaked, or mildew-prone
Tips:

  • Store in a deck box or breathable bag when not in use

  • Set up a routine to bring them in each night or before rain

  • Spot-clean regularly and let them air dry before storing

  • End of summer: wash covers if removable and store flat

Towels

(Beach/Pool)

Common Problem: Always damp, always missing
Tips:

  • Install hooks outside or in a mudroom for daily drying

  • Keep extras in a dedicated labeled bin

  • Assign a towel color or pattern to each family member

  • Wash/dry at the end of each pool weekend to avoid the towel mountain

Wishing you the most simplified Summer yet. Keeping the peace is only a short organizing session away!

Choose Simple,

Sarah

Sarah Casey
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