12 Clever Tool Storage Ideas for DIYers

What DIYer doesn’t dream of having a dedicated space where all their tools and materials are perfectly organized and easy to find?!

Over the years, I’ve had plenty of practice organizing everything from my own garage workshop studio to my basement craft room, my mom’s sewing room, and even my she shed. I’ve learned that the key to an efficient workspace is finding just the right ways store and organize tools to suit your specific needs and the storage space you’re working with.

In this post, I’m going to share my favorite tool storage ideas and explain what each one is best suited for. Whether you have a small space or a big garage, there’s a solution here that can help you keep your tools organized, within easy reach, and looking stylish!

My Favorite Tool Storage Ideas

Take a look at these clever tool organization ideas to find the right tool storage solution for you and your space!

1. Pegboards

My favorite tool wall storage is the humble pegboard! Pegboard systems are super practical because they make use of vertical space, showing you all your options at a glance, and making it really easy to grab what you need.

You can get loads of different kinds of attachments to use on them too, like hooks, shelves, and baskets, which means you can store lots of different types of tools on them, from trowels and paint brushes to spirit levels and saw blades. And they’re endlessly customizable, so you can find the exact right layout for your needs.

The most common place for a pegboard is the wall, but you could also put one on the side of a cabinet like I did in my basement, create a whole pegboard wall like I did in my She Shed, or make a portable tool storage unit by putting some on wheels.

And perhaps the best thing of all? They can look really stylish! Ikea’s Skaddis pegboard is a popular option for a clean, minimalist look, or you could make or paint your own, like I did!

2. Rails

Rails are another good idea for tool storage when you don’t have a lot of space to work with. Like pegboards, they make use of vertical space and they keep everything visible and easily accessible, so you don’t have to dig through drawers or bins to find what you need. They’re perfect for smaller spaces, since they don’t take up much space at all. 

Personally, I love using rails to attach my clamps — they’re always within reach, and it’s so convenient to hang them neatly. I also think they’d be great for hanging safety goggles, gloves, and masks.

3. French Cleats & Other DIY Holders

If you’re looking for a really flexible tool storage solution to wrangle your collection of tools, French cleats are a game changer!

If you don’t know, a French cleat tool storage system is a highly-customizable way of mounting your tools on the wall using interlocking parts. You can buy them ready-made or you can build your own fairly easily, to build one that’s the perfect fit for your tool collection. 

The best thing about French cleats is that you can easily rearrange them as your tool collection grows. They’re also sturdy and so they can hold heavier tools like drills. 

And if you’re building your own tool storage, you don’t need to stick to just the French cleat system. With a few pieces of wood and some tools, you can create lots of custom tool organization systems. For example, I connected a few bits of wood to create a rack for storing my power tools in my garage. I’ve also seen people drill holes into blocks of wood to create stands and shelves for tools like screwdrivers, where each tool has its own designated hole.

4. Magnetic Strips or Tins

For the ultimate easy access and fuss-free way to store your metal tools, magnetic strips are the way to go! You can simply attach them to the wall, and your tools will stick right to them—no hooks or slots required. Kitchen knife magnets work great for this kind of storage.

Another option is to get a magnetic board and some metal tins to organize smaller items like nails, screws, and washers. I made my own stylish custom magnetic tins for about a dollar each. Look for magnetic tins with clear tops or use labels, so you can quickly see what’s inside each tin.

You can also get magnetic tool holders if you’d prefer. And you could use magnets to hang your build plans or inspiration boards, keeping everything organized and right in front of you as you work.

5. Screwable Jars

If you have limited space, don’t forget about the space underneath your shelves! One of my favorite tool storage ideas involves fixing jar lids to the underside of shelving, so you can screw jars underneath them and they hang down securely.

This setup lets you store small parts like screws, nails, and bolts right under your shelves, so they’re easy to grab without taking up valuable shelf space. Again, I’d recommend using clear jars so you can see the small pieces at a glance.

6. Rolling Cart & Storage Workbenches

A cart is a great way to organize tools by type. Plus, you can pull it over to where you are working so when you need to swap a tool out for another, it’s quick and easy…right in reach!

7. Back-of-Door Fabric Organizers

For a clever and space-saving solution, back-of-door fabric organizers are an ingenious way to store small hand tools or accessories like gloves, scissors, tape measures, and smaller hand tools. 

These organizers have lots of pockets or pouches for storing items of different shapes, and they often come with see-through pockets, which makes it easy to find what you need. 

8. Small Part & Bit Holders

It isn’t just about your tools, but the small parts and bits that go with them. Keep all the parts well organized so they are never lost. It’s easy for these small pieces to go missing without dedicated storage.

Flexible plastic bit holders are perfect for longer screw driver bits, and bits without a hex bottom. While a multi-bit organizer for those shorter driver and screw bits. A plano box can hold small tool parts and pieces.

9. Broom Holders & Wall-Mounted Pegs

You know those wall-mounted grippers you often find inside closets, for holding brooms and mops? I think they’d be perfect for storing larger tools like garden rakes and shovels, perhaps inside a cabinet or behind a door.

I’m sure they could be used for other tools too, so hit me with your ideas!

10. Umbrella Stand

An umbrella stand could be another good way to store garden tools like shovels, hoes, and trowels and avoid the floor of your garage or shed becoming a messy dumping ground! 

Again, you could get a really cute one or give a thrifted one a makeover, to ensure your shed or garage looks good too!

11. Shoe Boxes & Shoe Racks

If you’ve gone some dead space under a shelf or workbench, why not use an old shoe rack underneath it to house boxes and other containers? It could be the perfect place for toolboxes, tackle boxes full of fasteners, and paint trays, for example. 

Or, if you’ve got a bit more space, you could opt for one of those tall shoe racks that also has a coat rack at the top. This type of rack would be perfect for hanging longer tools, like rakes or hammers, while keeping smaller items organized below.

12. Stationery and Bin Office Storage

When it comes to organizing small items in your workspace, open bins and tubs are a lifesaver! They’re perfect for storing smaller tools and bits and bobs—like nuts, bolts, screws, and washers—that you need to rummage through.

You can get large plastic bins to store bigger items on the floor, while smaller tubs work great for keeping things within easy reach on your workbench.

If you’re looking for a more stylish tool storage solution, look beyond the typical containers you’ll find in a DIY store, which tend to be bulky and either black or a garish color! Instead, try using office or stationery storage items to add a little flair to your workspace.

Office supplies are amazing for keeping your work surface tidy and organized.

For example, paper box files or trays can be used to store sandpaper or build plans. Pencil pots make great holders for small tools like screwdrivers. You can even get those lazy Susan-type pencil holders, which spin round to give you quick access to all your items! Those desktop clear plastic drawer systems would also be perfect for keeping smaller items like drill bits, nails, or washers organized. 

Organize Your Tools with Style!

I hope these clever tool organization ideas have given you plenty of inspiration for organizing your own garage or shed! Whether you prefer the simplicity of pegboards or the flexibility of French cleats, there are plenty of practical yet stylish ways to organize tools, no matter how large your collection is.

Shop These Tool Organizing Solutions Here>>

Now that you have some ideas on how to organize tools, it’s time to put them into action! As a first step, take a look around your workspace and start thinking about the kinds of storage options that will work best for your space and your own tools. You might also want to check out my post on Lumber Scrap Wood Storage Ideas if you work with wood.

With a little bit of thought and the right tool storage solutions, you’ll have your tools organized in no time!