An untidy garage makes it difficult to find items when you need them. It’s frustrating when you want to use things like cleaning supplies, sports equipment, automotive supplies, or tools and can’t find them quickly.
Whether you’re a weekend DIYer, a serious gearhead who loves tinkering underneath the hood, or an average homeowner who doesn’t pick up a hammer much, having effective garage tool storage systems is essential for efficiency and productivity.
Without proper organization, tools get lost, damaged, and can hamper a garage’s functionality. Replacing lost tools is a waste of money and let’s not even get started on how much time we waste searching for misplaced things in a messy space.
Fortunately, with the right storage solutions and some organization best practices, you can create a tidier garage for your tools and other belongings.
15 garage tool storage ideas and tips
We’ll share some practical garage tool storage and organization tips to help you arrange your tools more effectively so you’re getting the most out of your garage space.
Whether you have a small garage or a large garage workshop, these tips will help you create a system that keeps your tools organized, secure, visible, and easy-to-access whenever you need them.
We’ll also tell you which essential tools, supplies, and accessories any garage workshop should have, explain how to keep the space cleaner and safer, and a lot more in our comprehensive garage tool storage guide.
1. Essential garage tools
While every garage setup will vary depending on your personal needs, there are several essential tools that every homeowner should have on hand:
- a sturdy hammer is a must for driving and pulling nails and knocking loose things back into place
- sets of common screwdriver types like Phillips, Robertson, flat head, and hex head
- adjustable wrenches and pliers
- a cordless drill with a variety of drill bits to make tasks like drilling holes and driving screws much easier
- an Allen key/wrench set
- a socket wrench set
- some utility knives
- a tape measure
- a handsaw and circular saw
2. Invest in garage tool storage cabinets
There’s no doubt that the best garage tool organizer is a good cabinet storage system. They keep everything organized, protected, and easily accessible. Unlike open shelving and hanging wall storage, cabinets shield tools from dust, moisture, and potential damage, extending their lifespan.
They also create a clutter-free workspace by concealing tools in drawers and behind closed doors. This eliminates visual clutter and gives the garage a clean and professional look.
Cabinets allow you to easily store tools of various sizes efficiently. Lockable cabinet drawers and doors provide added security for valuable and dangerous tools, as well as hazardous materials in the garage.
A Stanley Black & Decker survey found that 53% of U.S. homeowners surveyed use a home workshop or garage for their DIY projects. Cabinets are essential for a garage workshop because of their specialized tool storage functionality. A workbench is the foundation of any workshop and a custom cabinet system can incorporate a sturdy surface to use.
Even if you don’t have a lot of tools or need a garage workshop for carpentry or heavy-duty tasks like rebuilding a car engine, cabinetry is beneficial for any homeowner. They can be used to store many of the items we keep in our garages like garden supplies, exercise equipment, and car care products.
Why custom cabinets are a good investment
Garages come in all sizes and layouts and everyone has different storage needs. That’s why low-cost “one size fits all” cabinet products with a limited number of sizes, colors, and design options are only worth buying if you have a small budget.
Otherwise, you should invest in better cabinets that can be tailored to your space and garage tool storage needs. Garage Living’s high-quality cabinet lines offer the following benefits:
- high-quality materials for superior durability
- a stylish, high-end look with lots of design options for an attractive garage aesthetic
- sturdy construction and craftsmanship for reliable functionality
- the ability to add a sink, fridge, or TV
- options to add pullout shelves, locks, task lighting, and electrical and USB outlets where you need them
- high-quality stainless steel, galvanized steel, or butcher block countertops
3. Tool drawer organization tips
Keeping tool drawers organized in a cabinet system is a surefire way to improve the efficiency of using your tools and prevent you from wasting time looking for things.
Sorting your tools by category and grouping similar items like wrenches, screwdrivers, and measuring tools together works well. Most organized people do this and also might group items according to their size (from smallest to biggest or vice versa).
If you’re really particular about your tool organization, consider labelling the front of your drawers. In-drawer dividers or inserts will keep things even tidier and make it easier to create designated spots for each tool.
Tool drawers can get messy when they’re opened and closed, which causes the items inside to slide around. The easy solution to keep tools in place is to simply line the drawer bottoms with a rubber lining.
For easy access, store frequently used tools in the top drawers and keep less commonly used items in the lower drawers. Keep your garage tool storage system running smoothly by returning tools to their designated spots after each use and regularly decluttering.
4. How to keep small items more organized
The many different types of hardware fasteners we use with our tools are difficult to organize because they’re so small and we tend to have lots of them around.
Things like nails, screws, washers, bolts, and nuts get lost easily and it can be a nightmare to find a specific item when they get mixed together.
Keep your various fasteners organized by using small plastic storage bins that are stored in your cabinet drawers. That keeps your work area less cluttered. If drawer storage isn’t practical or to your liking, a couple of space-saving options are to use stackable storage bins or bins that can be mounted to slatwall, pegboard, or drywall.
Plastic storage bins are durable and very cheap and a much better alternative (functionally and aesthetically) to old-school methods of storing fasteners in things like old jars, cups, coffee cans, or (heaven forbid) sandwich bags.
Magnetic strips and small metal containers can also help organize small items, including your drill bits and drivers.
5. Use garage tool wall storage
Having as much storage versatility as possible in your home is always ideal. Although cabinets are a great tool storage solution, maximizing a garage’s space efficiently to accommodate parking, storage, and room for your hobbies requires more than one storage system. Here’s where your garage walls become invaluable!
The walls of a garage typically aren’t used to their full potential and are perfect for storing more of your tools than just the type being used in the gardens and yard. A major advantage of using wall storage for some of your tools is that it keeps your most frequently used small hand tools easily accessible.
Shelves are one solution, but using too many of them can make the room look more cluttered. Pegboard or wall hooks and nails may be one of your first considerations for wall storage but slatwall is a better choice.
Slatwall is a first-rate garage wall storage option for several reasons:
- accessories for most of your wall hanging needs are available (we carry over 40 types)
- it has a better look
- the panels (like Garage Living’s sturdy PVC panels) are built to handle heavier weights
- high-quality slatwall panels will last a long time
- a slatwall panel system’s ease of use makes it easy to rearrange your tools when needed
6. Make your garage safer for tool use
Wherever tools of any kind are being used, safety will always be a concern. Create a safer space for using tools by making sure your garage has the following items:
- an easy-to-access fire extinguisher that’s rated for electrical and chemical fires
- a first-aid kit
- a sturdy workbench that provides a stable area for projects
- adequate ventilation, such as exhaust fans or open windows
- protective equipment including goggles, ear protection, gloves, and face masks
You’ll be glad you had any of these safety items close at hand in the event of an emergency. Also, ensure your garage is safely set up by keeping sharp and heavy tools securely hung on the wall or kept in a locked storage space.
Additionally, maintain a safe space by keeping the floor free of clutter and cleaning up other tripping hazards like spills, melted snow and ice from vehicles, and excessive amounts of sawdust.
7. Upgrade your garage floor
Normal, everyday use of a garage from foot and vehicle traffic takes a toll on the floors. If tools are being used regularly in the room, they’ll inevitably get dropped occasionally. Simply using the garage as a workshop means you’re standing and walking on the floor more than the average person.
For all of these reasons, garage floors should be protected by getting a high-quality coating. Garage Living uses Floortex™ polyaspartic coatings, which provide the highest level of floor protection and decorative visual appeal.
Polyaspartic is the highest-quality coating material available and superior to epoxy and polyurea coatings. Floortex™ has excellent abrasion and impact resistance, so those tool drops won’t damage the floor or create unsightly scratch and scuff marks.
High-quality floor coatings also won’t get damaged when they’re exposed to oil, gas, engine coolant, salt, and household chemicals. They’re very easy to clean and maintain as well.
8. Keep your garage tool storage space clean
Speaking of keeping the garage floor clean, you’ll want to have enough tools of another kind on hand to help keep the entire garage clean and tidy. Here’s virtually everything you need to keep a garage clean:
- rags, shop towels, and paper towels
- a shop vac
- a good broom and dustpan
- sweeping compound to capture dust and debris more effectively
- a sink with heavy-duty soap and hand cleaner
- spill absorbent for large spills (kitty litter can also be used)
- a squeegee to give the floor an occasional wet-cleaning
- a garbage bin
All of your cleaning supplies and tools can be stored in a cabinet system or on the walls with hanging accessories like bins, baskets, and hooks.
Make it a habit to wipe down as many surfaces as possible at least a few times a year to minimize dust and debris build-up, keep your tools looking like new, and improve the garage’s air quality.
9. Improve your garage lighting
It’s important to have good lighting for a garage workshop. Having a well-lit space makes getting tasks done easier and safer while working with tools.
Start by upgrading the overhead lighting with LED fixtures, which provide better illumination and energy efficiency. Position the lights evenly to eliminate dark spots and shadows.
Add task lighting, such as adjustable workbench lamps or under-cabinet lights. If possible, improve how much natural light enters the garage by installing a window or two or a skylight. Clean the windows regularly to maximize the natural light in the room.
Keep a handheld shop light handy for better visibility and extra flexibility when you’re doing specific tasks where the room’s lighting elements aren’t getting the job done. They’re cheap and a better option than using your phone’s flashlight.
Choosing the right combination of lighting ensures a well-lit, efficient, and safe workshop environment.
10. Additional “nice-to-have” things for garage workshops
We’ve listed many different items that a garage workshop should have. There are even more additions and improvements you can make to create a fully-outfitted home workspace, however.
These suggestions fall under the category of “not essential, but really nice to have”. Some of them are a little less obvious, but we think you’ll appreciate the extra convenience and functionality these things provide:
- a TV for your cabinet system to enjoy sporting events
- a small mobile tool cart for tasks that pull you farther away from the workbench
- an under-counter bar fridge incorporated into your cabinet system
- a Wifi booster
- a wireless Bluetooth speaker to listen to music and podcasts
For examples of what a high-end, ultra-modern garage looks like with some of the above amenities, check out our Performance Garage gallery. It features the Performance design theme from Garage Living’s Designer Series. 
11. Garage tool ideas for automotive DIYers
For automotive DIYers, having the right garage tool setup can make repairs and maintenance much easier. In addition to some of the standard tools and accessories we’ve already covered, here are some more tool ideas for gearheads who love getting their hands dirty:
- a workbench vise for holding parts in place during repairs
- a good tire inflator
- a comfortable creeper for working underneath vehicles
- cordless power tools or air tools and a compressor to get tasks done quicker
- a diagnostic tool for a vehicle’s on-board computer to identify problems
- a floor jack and jack stands
For an even better solution to using jack stands and a creeper to work underneath vehicles in a cramped space, consider investing in a car lift. A car lift makes it easier to do maintenance underneath vehicles and provides extra garage parking space.
12. Tool storage for small garages
Using a small garage for home storage presents the challenge of leaving enough room to park your vehicles indoors. Luckily, there are some effective small garage tool storage solutions available so you can get a lot of functionality out of a one or two-car garage.
We know some garages offer limited space. To accommodate smaller garages, Garage Living created the Signature Shallow line of cabinets. These cabinets feature an 18-inch depth, which is shallower than most cabinet systems offer.
Another space-saving option is to install a pulldown workbench. You can still have a sturdy, perfectly functional work surface in a small garage and fold it up when it’s not in use to save space.
13. Garage garden tool storage ideas
Efficiently organizing garden and yard tools in your garage enhances accessibility and maintains a clutter-free environment. As with your main tools, a slatwall panel system optimizes a garage’s vertical space to store various garden and yard tools securely, allowing for customizable configurations.
For more expensive power equipment like leaf blowers, grass trimmers, and hedge trimmers, lockable locker-style cabinets offer protection and keep hazardous items out of reach.
To leave your prime wall storage space available for the tools you use most often, store out-of-season garden and yard tools out of the way in overhead storage racks. They’re also ideal for storing bulky items and seasonal decorations that only get used once a year.
14. How to prevent tools in the garage from rusting
We’ve shown you many garage tool storage ideas and tips and we’d be remiss if we didn’t address how to prevent your tools from rusting prematurely.
Many garages have high levels of humidity, especially in hotter locations like Florida. This causes condensation, which results in water droplets forming on surfaces – like your tools, for example.
That’s why tools kept in a garage can rust quicker than you expect them to. Even high-quality stainless steel tools can begin to show signs of rust relatively quickly if they’re in a particularly damp garage.
Moisture can also build up in garages due to poor ventilation, bad roof drainage, and simply being brought in by vehicles that have driven in rainy or snowy weather. More serious issues than rusting tools can occur in garages with high condensation levels, including the formation of mold and mildew.
To reduce condensation in a garage and extend the life of your tools, take the following precautions:
- exercise more control over your garage’s temperature
- inspect and upgrade your ventilation and drainage systems
- have a Floortex™ floor coating applied
- after parking indoors, dry your vehicle off after driving in stormy weather
- install a good wall vapor barrier
- run a dehumidifier
15. Do an inventory of your tools
Tools that are the most visible in a garage are the second-most appealing thing you own to a thief (after your vehicles).
We’ve previously written about why it’s a good idea to prepare a home garage inventory. Many tools aren’t cheap, so ensuring you’ll get fairly compensated after a burglary is the biggest reason to do a garage inventory.
A home break-in is a traumatic experience for anyone. You don’t want the additional stress and headache of trying to figure out what belongings were stolen and how much they’re worth. Having a detailed record of the tools you own is extremely useful when you’re giving details of the crime to the police and your insurance company.
For some extra home security and peace of mind, here are some suggestions:
- upgrade the exterior lighting of your house
- eliminate easy outdoor viewpoints into your garage
- get a smart security camera for for garage’s interior and exterior
We can improve your garage tool storage setup
Those are 15 garage tool storage and organization tips that will improve the experience of using the tools you own.
Garage Living can outfit your space with the best tool storage systems available. We’re experts at transforming the appearance and functionality of garages and can customize them to accommodate the priorities of our clients.
Get started on creating a more tool-friendly garage space by scheduling your free design consultation with us.
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