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If you've been doing projects in my garage, you've probably realized that keeping your tools organized is a struggle.
With a lot of trial and error, I found some things that worked really well…and others that didn't.
You'd be surprised at how much space you can save with a few simple tips. Let's take a look at some of my favorite storage ideas.
Clean & Declutter First
Decluttering your garage is the first and most crucial step towards a well-organized, clean garage.
If your garage is full of old clothes, toys, sports equipment, and odd tools, there's no room for your next DIY project. No matter your garage's size, you need a dedicated space for you and your tools.
Once you have some open garage floor space to dedicate to tool storage, start by removing items you don't need anymore.
Dividing your stuff into two piles: one to dispose of and one to organize later.
This includes your tools!
Start by disposing of broken tools or ones that are missing pieces or attachments. Anything you can eliminate at this stage will save you room later on.
Once you know exactly what you have left, designing your perfect workspace will be easier!
Create a Specific Work Area
Everybody needs a dedicated place to work in your garage.
You might only need a workbench for smaller projects. For larger projects, you might need to use your entire garage.
Regardless of the size of your garage, you need to divide your space into smaller sections to make the most of it. This is especially critical for small garages.
Here are some garage storage ideas to help organize your tools:
A workbench – either foldable or mobile
Closed cabinets – for chemicals, power tools, and hazardous materials
Open shelves and drawers (preferably with clear plastic bins) – for equipment and items that need to be readily accessible
A wall-mounted organizer, wire shelving, or pegboards – for smaller items
Heavy-duty steel shelves for heavy or bulky items
Wire and cable organizers
Separate storage for rechargeable batteries and power tools
Extension-cord reels mounted to your garage ceiling so you have power wherever you need it.
Use these suggestions as a starting point and adapt them to your individual needs.
Once you've got an initial design set up, you'll be able to adjust the design of your garage from project to project.
Increase Storage Space with Shelves & Cabinets
Sturdy shelves and cabinets are at the core of your garage storage system. They'll store items like long-handled tools, gardening supplies, sports equipment, and other miscellaneous tools.
Take advantage of any open wall space that you have. This includes the vertical space directly above your workbench.
I use heavy-duty garage shelves to store bulky items I want to keep off my garage floor.
These include extra kitchen and bathroom tiles and floorboards for my bedroom. I've also dedicated a shelf to oversized items like air filters, accessories for my pressure washer, and some storage bins.
I have small wire shelving near our garage entry door as a catch-all area for car keys, hats, and umbrellas.
The right mix of shelves will see wall shelves above your work area and floor-standing units. You can use overhead storage above your garage door for additional storage space.
This way, you can keep the stuff you use most at arm's reach and keep the things you use less often out of the way until you need them.
Cabinets with doors are a safe place to store chemicals and other items that could be hazardous. They're also a great place to store things you want to keep away from kids or pets.
I use two freestanding Gladiator cabinets and several wall-mounted cabinets.
The smaller freestanding cabinet holds the garden supplies like fertilizer and weed killer that I want to keep out of the way. The larger freestanding cabinet holds all my old paint cans, wood stains, drywall tools, and supplies.
Garage cabinets range between $100 and $800, depending on the size and options.
Maximize Wall Space With Pegboards
Pegboards are perfect for storing tools you need every day or if you're the kind of person who likes having your tools on display.
The area above your workbench is the perfect area to store the tools we use the most. I also organize the tools I use most on a Wall-Control metal pegboard and accessories mounted above my workbench.
Leaving your tools out after a day's work makes your workspace look messy, which we're trying to avoid. However, simply tossing them in a drawer can quickly lead to clutter.
I prefer using pegboard on small sections of my walls. They're perfect for storing screwdrivers, glue, adhesive tape, scissors, wire cutters, and smaller electric tools.
If pegboards aren't your style, try a magnetic strip or mat. They're a great place to store knives, screwdrivers, or other small items like nails, nuts, and bolts for your current projects.
Use Mobile Tool Carts to Keep Tools Organized on the Go
Large workbenches are great, but they take up a lot of space.
Foldable workbenches can be stored out of the way against the wall or in the corner of your workshop. But if you have home improvement projects where you need to be able to move freely, a mobile tool cart could be the answer.
Some, like my Gladiator GearDrawer, even include closed cabinets and open shelves that make them perfect to follow you around the garage during the day.
When you start to organize your tool cart, I recommend subdividing it into at least two compartments.
One should host the tools you use more frequently, and the second should store the other tools you like to have at your fingertips.
Alternatively, you could mount a magnetic strip to your mobile workbench to access hand tools easily.
The Best Garage Organization Ideas Grow With You
Organizing your workshop tools can seem like a big project at first. But following these tips and tricks doesn't have to be.
If you're a weekend DIY warrior, every new project will have different needs. Your workshop can accommodate those needs by setting up your garage with mobile shelves, pegboards, cabinets, foldable workbenches, or flexible panels.
Proper garage organization will ensure you have enough space for all the stuff you need for your next project.
