Does it ever feel like there’s just not enough room in your greenhouse? It’s a moment every gardener has. Most of the time, this is something you can fix with a little organizational magic—and that magic is shelving.
An organized greenhouse isn’t just less cluttered; it’s more functional and joyful, too. Let’s explore some wonderful greenhouse shelving ideas to optimize space to find the perfect fit for you.
When you use shelving to truly optimize your space, you’ll discover the room you’ve always had to do all the wonderful things you want to do in your greenhouse. Whether you have a small DIY setup or a full-sized structure, proper shelving plays a huge role in making the most of your space.
Organizing your greenhouse space
Before you start adding shelves, it’s a great idea to do some simple planning first. If you’ve already done this, feel free to skip ahead!
Designate specific zones in your greenhouse
One of the best things you can do to keep your greenhouse organized is to divide it into several zones. Think of each zone as having its own purpose, like a growing area, a potting area, a seeding area, and a convenient storage area.
Start by drawing the footprint of your greenhouse, then pencil in a space for each zone you want to have. Some zones might overlap (for example, you might grow plants on higher shelves and store tools on lower ones). The key is to understand what you want to accomplish, then find the right shelves to suit your needs.
Get rid of unnecessary stuff
It’s completely normal for clutter to accumulate in a greenhouse. Over time, you’ve probably collected lots of extra pots, tools, and other gardening knick-knacks. Before you install new shelves, it’s a good idea to go through everything and let go of anything broken, moldy, or unnecessary. The best way to organize your things is to simply have less to organize in the first place!
Clean your greenhouse
Installing new shelves is the perfect opportunity to give your greenhouse a fresh start with a good cleaning. This ensures you have a healthy space before adding shelving that might be hard to clean around later. It can feel like a big task, but you’ll be so glad you did it.
Things to keep in mind when choosing your shelves
Before you head to the store, let’s talk about a few important details to ensure you pick shelves you’ll love for years to come.
- Measurements: Make sure to take careful measurements of your space. Whether your greenhouse is large or small, taking the time to figure out what will fit and where will save you headaches later.
- Shadows: This is a secret many people forget! Multi-tiered shelving units are great for vertical space, but it’s important to think about the shadows they might cast. Make sure that wherever you want your plants to grow, they’ll have the direct access to sunlight they need to thrive.
- Quality: Look for shelves and benches that are sturdy and built to last. Shelves designed specifically for greenhouse use will withstand humid conditions, while some cheaply-made wire racks might rust quickly. You’ll want sturdy shelves that can hold the weight of your potted plants without tipping over.
- Cleanliness: Look for shelves that are easy to clean and have holes or slats for good drainage and air circulation. Without proper drainage, your plants can sit in pools of excess water, which can lead to pests and disease.
Shelving ideas to elevate your greenhouse
Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time for the fun part! Let’s look at the kinds of shelves that will take your greenhouse to the next level.
Adjustable wire racks
Need a sturdy, budget-friendly option? Adjustable wire racks are one of the best choices for greenhouse storage. When made of stainless steel, these metal shelves are sure to last a long time. Their best feature is often the adjustable shelving, so you can make sure your growing plants always have enough headroom. They are also freestanding, so you can move them around as you need. For a heavy-duty option, you could consider something like the Amazon Basics 4-Shelf Steel Wire Rack.
Tiered shelving
If you’re worried about upper shelves casting shadows on lower ones, a tiered design might be the perfect solution for you. Also called step-style shelves, these are wonderful for growing plants of different sizes. For example, smaller plants can go on the top shelf while larger plants sit near the bottom. This design, like this 3-Tier Metal Plant Stand, fits beautifully in a corner or along a wall.
Floating shelves
Let your walls do the work! Just as you might have window shelves in your home, you can add floating shelves to your greenhouse to create a beautiful spot for seed trays, flowers, or smaller plants. This frees up floor space for you to store extra pots, tools, and bags of potting soil. There are many great kits designed for specific greenhouses:
A dedicated potting bench
A dedicated potting area can bring so much joy and order to your gardening tasks. To make sure cleaning is a breeze, select a potting bench with smooth surfaces and extra storage space for all of your potting tools. Some, like the MONT Foldable Work Station Kit, are even designed to fold away when not in use.
Seed tray shelves
Do you plan to grow a lot of your own plants from seed? Then you’ll want a designated area to place all of your seed flats where they can get the consistent light they need. Special shelving units, like the Janssens Seed Tray Shelves, are designed with this specific purpose in mind.
Hanging baskets
Even when you’ve maximized your floor and wall space, there is still room to add more plants! Certain plants, like flowers and strawberries, can be easily grown in hanging baskets. When hung strategically, they take up no floor space and won’t get in the way of other plants.
Portable mini greenhouse
What happens when you’ve maximized every inch but still wish you had more protected space? If you’re completely out of room, you might consider a portable mini greenhouse. It’s a creative way to ensure no plant is left out in the cold!
