How to organise wheelie bin storage to accommodate different sized bins

Keeping your outdoor space looking neat and tidy is easy when everything has its place - but bins can make that tricky. With different councils using different sizes (and sometimes different colours) for waste, recycling and garden collections, organising bin storage can feel like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle.

That’s where a bit of planning and the right bin store setup can make all the difference.

Here’s how to organise your bin storage so it works beautifully, whatever size bins you have.

Know your bin sizes

Before you start shopping or designing, it helps to know exactly what you’re working with.

Most councils use standard wheeled bin sizes:

• 120L bins – often for smaller households or food waste
• 180L bins – a common size for general waste or recycling
• 240L bins – the most common large household bin size
• 360L bins – extra-large capacity for bigger households (these are quite rarely used in a domestic setting)

Garden waste bins can vary, and some councils use different shapes altogether — so it’s worth measuring your own (height, width and depth) before committing to a storage unit.

Decide how many bins you need to store

Are you hiding away just your general waste and recycling, or do you also want to include garden waste, glass or food bins?

Our wheelie bin storage units are available in single, double, triple and even quad configurations, and our designs means you can mix and match to suit your household setup.  We also offer solutions that combine recycling box storage with wheelie bin storage. 

If your local authority changes its recycling system or adds new bins, having a flexible storage offering makes it easy to expand without starting from scratch.

Choose a layout that works for your space

The best layout depends on where your bins live and how you use them:     

• Side-by-side setups are ideal for driveways and front gardens, keeping all bins accessible in one tidy row.
• Stacked or stepped layouts work well on sloped or narrow spaces, helping you make the most of awkward corners.
• Split storage (for example, two bins in one unit and a smaller one separately) can look more balanced in smaller gardens or courtyards.

Mix and match bin heights

If your bins aren’t all the same size, don’t worry.

You can combine standard-height bin stores for wheelie bins with lower modules for smaller bins, recycling boxes or garden tools. This creates a stepped effect that’s not only practical but also visually interesting.

Don’t forget the finishing touches

A bin store can do more than just hide your bins — it can enhance your garden too.

A green roof to your bin store is ideal for pollinator-friendly planting and adding year-round colour.