Annoying Situation: Garden Tools

This is the third edition of my “Annoying Situation” case studies.  To see the first and second case studies in the series check the August 2010 and October 2010 newsletters.

Background

This client does some gardening, but more out of necessity that pure enjoyment.  She wants to have her supplies easily accessible but the garage isn’t available and the basement isn’t convenient.  Currently she has her supplies piled in a plastic box and stored under the steps.  The box is open and only slightly protected from the elements.   The client gets frustrated because her garden tools and other supplies get rusty and wet.  Another frustration is that she can’t easily find what she needs in the plastic box that is piled with gardening supplies.

Solutions

1. Find a way to make the container weather proof. 
This could mean putting a piece of wood on the plastic box with a stone or brick on top to secure the wood.  Or it could mean finding or buying a plastic container with a lid.

2.  Divide the container into smaller sections then put like things together. 
There are a variety of different container options: Mandarin orange crates, potted plant holders (plastic, ceramic, or clay), plastic spinach tubs from the grocery store, or Tupperware containers that have lost their lids.  By dividing the big space into smaller sections it is easier to assign homes for all the different tools and gardening supplies.

*See link below for picture of Organized Tool Container.  

Why it Works

We identified the things that were important to this client: ease in access and ease in finding things. We also identified her frustrations: rusty and wet tools and lost gardening supplies.  After we understood the issues and identified the frustrations we were able to come up with solutions for her situation.

Even though gardening isn’t the be all and end all for this client she sure is a lot happier doing the work that needs to be done.

Good Luck,
Susan

*Link to picture of Organized Tool Container
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanhunsberger/5783241179/in/photostream


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