Tool Storage Ideas for Your Garage

Chad Maag • Apr 12, 2022

Garage storage is often a challenge. Along with storing your car, your garage is often where random items like holiday decorations, yard equipment, and household supplies end up. It’s easy for tools to get lost, damaged, or forgotten if they don’t have a specific place to live.

What are the best ways to organize your garage effortlessly so you can find your tools at a moment’s notice? Use the walls, place items in overhead storage, build a workbench, use baskets for smaller items, and place tools in cabinets.

Below, you'll learn how to successfully tackle organizing your tool collection. No wrench or screw will be left behind!

Install Racks & Tool Holders on The Walls

Keeping tools on the floor is asking for a disaster. You probably have friends who were forced to seek medical attention because they tripped on a wayward snow blower or random shovel lying haphazardly on the garage floor. Instead, opt for Slatwall racks.

There are plenty of options for rakes, shovels, and brooms in addition to smaller versions for hand tools like hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers, so they're clearly on display and off the floor. Take it a step further by using any type of durable substance such as wood, metal, plastic, or a metal tool holder for extra functionality.

Another idea is to incorporate spring grips, which are excellent hooks for holding taller tools like rakes, mops, brooms, or anything with a handle.

Overhead Storage Saves Space

Everyday tools and equipment aren’t ideal for storing up high in your garage, but bulky, lesser-used items like ladders, holiday wreaths, and snow skis are great for storing in overhead racks. The organization gurus at Real Homes suggest finding racks that don't impede opening and closing the garage door. At the same time, it's also wise to err on the side of caution with storing lighter, non-liquid items that won’t leak or aren’t needed too often up above.

Build a Workbench for Added Storage

Workbenches are extremely useful, especially if you have an interest in building and woodworking. Owning a workbench doesn’t have to be expensive, with many DIY options available. To build a sturdy workbench, experts at This Old House offer steps for constructing a "wall-mounted fold-down model," a worktable with shelves, and a mobile workstation.

Once assembled, it’s also helpful to add a magnetic strip, power strip, or clamp to the area. The next time you need to saw or drill a piece of wood, glue together a broken toy, or repair a bicycle, your new workbench will be ready to support these and other tasks.

Toss Smaller Items into Storage Baskets

It’s important to create space for smaller items like nails, screws, nuts, and bolts. Storage baskets will help keep these small yet essential objects all in one place while also allowing you to reach for them in a pinch. Different size storage baskets will enable you to store many types of items all in one location too! If you are an extra organized person, look for color-coordinated baskets.

Keep Tools in Cabinets

Wall-mounted garage cabinets are an excellent way to store tools and other items so they're safe, protected, and out of sight. Tools can be stored loosely on the inside shelves, which can be built to be adjustable for different size tools.

Medium-sized tools like hand sanders, torches and electric drills are great for cabinet storage while making them simple to take out and use. Also, remember the storage baskets discussed in the previous section? They can be stored in your cabinets as well!

Final Thoughts

Organizing your garage can be a challenge when you have many types of tools, lawn equipment, and household items to organize. Can it be hard to initially get your tools organized effectively? Absolutely! It will take a little time to get everything in place, but it will be well worth the effort once it’s done.

Adding a workbench and creating useful ceiling and wall storage options will make a tremendous difference in storing your tools in the garage. Once stored and managed correctly, you can effortlessly find and use all of your tools at a moment’s notice!