White Shelf

The White Shelf Approach to Home Organization

White Shelf Header

Hose Storage

A garden hose is a simple but often necessary tool if you have a yard or garden, but it can become messy or even a hazard if not stored well.  Luckily there are a variety of functional and even attractive options for keeping your hose neatly stored, where it will remain out of the way when not in use.   

Why Worry About This?

If you leave a hose lying outside on the lawn or in the driveway, it can be unsightly and bad for maintaining the quality and longevity of your hose.  If it’s regularly stepped on, it can cause wear that can damage the fitting at the end.  This can also damage both the exterior and the interior walls of the hose, which make it more likely to kink. In addition, animals like squirrels, raccoons, or even your pets can nibble on it if it is lying on the ground, making it more susceptible to ruptures. Keeping it stored properly can help protect it in a variety of ways.

Garden Hose Storage

Finding the best garden hose storage for your needs can make working outside, watering your plants and gardening a lot more fun and and even easier. Even with an intricate sprinkler system you will likely still need a hose and some type of storage containers or a hose holder.

Luckily there are a lot of choices when it comes to hose storage, from devices that are purely functional to those that also act as a decorative accent piece improving the outside décor. But having some way to handle, protect and store this device is important. Proper storage will keep your hoses in better condition and less likely to get kinks, so they are easier to use and will last longer. They will also improve the look of your outdoor area by keeping it neater and more organized.

Hose Storage Pots

An example of a Garden Hose Pot

If you are looking for decorative hose storage for your patio a garden hose storage pot may be a good choice. This is a type of pot or bowl that can either sit on a patio or deck or it can be stored in the garage. You can find these pots with or without a lid. Of course a hose pot with a lid will offer greater protection and keep the contents cleaner but one without a lid may be more handy for quick use.  Simply coil the hose in the garden hose storage pot and it will sit neatly until you are ready to use it again. 

An example of a Copper Hose Pot

These storage pots come in a variety of materials.  A copper hose pot is a little more expensive but it will last for a very long time. You shouldn’t need to replace it unless you want a different style or look. You can find a variety of styles and shapes, from a hammered copper hose pot to one that has an antiqued finish. Copper pots will develop a patina and change color over time but many find this an attractive feature of copper.

A terra cotta hose pot is a good option if you want this piece to match your terra cotta flower pots. Resin hose pots come in a variety of colors, shapes and looks; they also handle the outdoor elements well, but may not be as durable as copper. A resin wicker hose pot is perfect if you have outdoor wicker furniture and you want it to match. A ceramic hose pot can add color or distinction, but it may not be as durable.

Hose Storage Reels

An example of a Garden Hose Reel

A hose reel provides a convenient way to recoil your hose after each use, whether you choose a manual or automatic option.  While it may not be as attractive as a decorative pot, these reels make it easier to neatly put your hose away after using it, which makes it easier to stay organized outside. You can, however, find more decorative or attractive options.

If you plan on leaving it outside, look for one that can handle the elements. If you have a hard time with manual hose reels, or if you just don’t like them, look for an automatic or a retractable hose reel that will wind the hose onto the reel for you. Suncast, Ames and Liberty make a lot of nice varieties of garden hose reels whether you are looking for a wall mounted or a portable reel or even a hose reel cart with wheels.

Hose Caddies

A garden hose caddy, or hose reel cart, is essentially a hose reel on wheels. Many of these carts also have a basket or shelf that allow you to carry other lawn and garden tools with you from location to location.

An example of a Hose Caddy

Unlike many other types of garden hose storage, a hose caddy allows you to easily move your garden hose and hose reel from one location to another. This comes in handy if you want to store it in the garage at night, or move it to another spigot.  This may also be a good option if you have a large yard.

A standard water hose caddy comes with either two or four wheels. You can find them made with either metal or a fairly durable plastic, either will weather pretty well as they are made to be kept outdoors.

Hose Racks

An example of a Hose Rack

A hose rack, sometimes called a garden hose hanger, is simply a device that will allow you to coil your water hose in a hanging position. This helps keep it up off of your lawn so it isn’t in your way and so your yard looks better and more organized. You can either find a wall mount hose hanger or a free standing hose stand.

There are a variety of hose storage racks available. You can find decorative hose racks to make this storage device more attractive, something simple and inexpensive that just serves a utilitarian purpose, or even hose hangers that have a small storage area built in them for smaller attachments and accessories. A rack or hose hanger also works well on a hose station, which will allow you to extend a wall faucet that is difficult to reach.

Coil Hose Holder

An example of a Coil Hose Holder

A coil garden hose is a little like the old fashioned curly phone cord. It’s natural form is coiled but it will stretch while using it then spring back into it’s coiled form once you are finished using it. Because of this coil hose storage is a little different than regular garden hose storage. The best coil hose holder is a wall mounted basket, although some like to use a hose pot for storage because it is more attractive.

A water hose that is rolled up and stored neatly is easier to use. You can unroll as much as you need which can help avoid tangles and lugging around more length than you need. If you have a hose cart or caddy, you can unspool it on an as-needed basis and wheel the hose rack around for better handling.

If you use the hose for washing your car or washing other items you can leave your stainless steel sprayer attached when you coil it on the hose holder. This way it’s ready to use for your next job. Some garden hose hangers even have a small storage compartment to keep hose attachments clean and handy. If you don’t have other patio storage boxes this can come in especially handy.

Consider these advantages and you’ll see that a garden hose hanger provides an easy and organized way to store this important outdoor tool. It will promote the longevity, cleanliness, and usability of this important yard and garden item.