Tool storage is probably not your top priority if you live in a small house, and more often than not tools are often tucked away under a bed or at the bottom of a closet. As a result of this, you will never be able to locate the tool you need and you’ll end up wasting time searching for the tool instead of using it.
Fortunately, the most essential tools can be stored and organized easily in a small space, so long as you utilize every nook and cranny of your home properly. For this article we’ve curated a list of great ideas for you to consider, so you can organize your tools better.
Also worth reading: How to Store Power Tools at Home
#1 Horizontal tool rack
This versatile, horizontal storage rack is a perfect place to hang up gardening tools like rakes, shovels, and hoses, as well as cleaning equipment such as mops and the like. When your tools are mounted on the wall, you are able to keep them out of the way so you don’t accidentally stumble over them and keep your floors completely free from any clutter.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Due to the nature of these tool racks, they’re only designed to hold tools and equipment with a straight shaft and a specific minimum length. Vertical tool mounts do exist, however, but they have limitations as well.
#2 Tool pegboard
If you have limited space in your home or workshop, one of the ways to store your tools is a tool pegboard such as the one on the picture. They have small mounts that you can insert into holes so you can position your tools in any way you want. You can also get shelves, drawers and other accessories, making it a versatile storage solution for many different types of tools.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Relatively difficult to keep clean, doesn’t hold heavy tools.
#3 Tool pegboard + cabinet
If you have lots of tools, some of which you might want to keep in an enclosed space, check out this tool pegboard and cabinet. You can keep some of your lighter tools (e.g. screwdrivers) hanging on either side of the cabinet doors, while your heavier tools (hammers and the like) can be hung inside the cabinet. There’s even a little ledge at the bottom where you can hang wrenches and other items.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Given all the little holes, it can be challenging to clean. You also need to be careful to hang just the right number of tools on the doors, as having too many could weigh it down and make it difficult to open and close. Some doors are also rather flimsy, so it’s a good idea to test the strength of your doors before hanging anything on them.
#4 Power tool shelf
If you’ve got a number of power tools in your workshop and no place to store them, why not get or build a shelf where you can house them? A shelf like this one can give each of your power tools a safe place where you don’t have to worry about losing them or misplacing them. If you keep your power tools organized in such a way, you’ll be able to find them quicker and with the right handling and storage, they will also last longer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A shelf built exactly like this can only store so much. If you have more power tools, you have to find or build a bigger shelf.
#5 Tool storage on wheels
If you’re looking for a place where you can store your tools and move them about without difficulty, this might be the right tool storage solution for you. Hide it in a closet when not in use, or roll it to any spot you’re working on for easy access to your most used tools and accessories.
Most tool storage solutions on wheels have drawers in different sizes, allowing you to store large and small items while keeping them well organized and accessible at all times.
A tool storage on wheels also doubles as a universal, portable work table.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Tool storages on wheels are relatively expensive, and generally unsuitable for tools bigger than cordless drill/drivers and alike. Another thing to consider is the fact that you can’t pack heavy items into the drawers, otherwise the entire storage unit could tip over as it’s not secured against a wall.
#6 Mounted shelf with boxes
If you’ve got quite a lot of tools, it might be a big help to organize them into little drawers like this one. That way, you can designate drawers for your things and don’t have to take apart your whole workshop when you’re looking for a particular tool at the moment. If you have children, you can also store the more dangerous tools in a place they cannot reach.
Check out more wall mounted drawers on Amazon
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It might be hard to reach the topmost drawers/shelves. You might want to make sure that a ladder or chair is nearby so you can easily reach the topmost drawers. If your tools are heavy, make sure that the wall can support this kind of shelf to avoid damaging it.
#7 Screw-on bottle storage
Nails, screws, and other small items will often disappear in a workshop if not properly organized.
If you have a large number of nails, screws, bolts, and other small pieces lying around, you can opt to create a special shelf on your workshop wall that lets you stick jar covers onto a slab of wood. You can then place the pieces into their respective jars and screw them on. That way, you get to keep everything neat so you can easily see and get what you need.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is ideal for only small accessories and bits. Glass bottles/jars could break, and shattered glass is not a pleasant thing to have all over the floor.
#8 Bin storage
If your workshop, basement, or attic or wherever you store your tools is in an odd-shaped part of the house, you can still make the most of the space by assembling little shelves and then getting bins to put your tools in. You can also color-code or label the bins accordingly so you know where all your tools are so you don’t have to uncover everything to get what you need.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not the best solution for small tools and accessories, unless the bins are of a small enough size to keep things properly organized.
#9 Tool storage door
One of the best and most practical places to store things if you really want to save up on space is to put them behind the door. You can hang up some hooks and baskets that will allow you to place your tools there. You can even stick jar covers and then screw on the bottles with nails, bolts, and other little pieces.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not all doors are durable enough for this, and you have to be careful that you don’t add too much weight to the door. If the door is opened too quickly, there’s a risk of tools falling off unless properly secured.
#10 Magnetic tool holder
Maybe you have scissors, wrenches, screwdrivers, and other metal tools lying around the house. An easy way to organize these tools is to mount them on a magnetic tool holder.
Magnetic tool holders are basically just a magnetic strip that you can hang on any wall. They can also be used in the kitchen if you want to organize your knives in a neat way, and they fit perfectly in any workshop as well.
If you only have a few basic tools that you want to keep within easy access, a magnetic tool holder could easily hang inside a closet as well.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The magnetic tool holder leaves your tools exposed, and if you accidentally bump into it there’s a risk that your tools could fall off. Not all tools are magnetic either, so it’s limited to the tools made from magnetic materials.