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Trendey • Storage Ideas • 15 Smart Tool Storage Ideas for Better Organization

15 Smart Tool Storage Ideas for Better Organization

15 Smart Tool Storage Ideas for Better Organization

  • by — Liz Bittar
  • Published on March 16, 2022

  • Updated on March 31, 2025

If you enjoy DIY projects, you will surely have a lot of tools. And maybe your first DIY job is to store them properly. That may be a bit easier if you have a spacious garage, but tends to be a little more complicated if you live in a small apartment and like to spend time with home improvements that need tools.

So, we have selected some awesome tool storage ideas that will inspire you to create a functional solution. And when it comes to storage, creativity and organization are far more important than square footage.

1. Transform Your Closet Into Storage Space

If you want to upgrade your tool storage while maximizing closet space, then you should look beyond what’s on the shelves and start thinking about how to transform unused closet corners.

Utilizing closet corner storage can be an easy, economical way to store your tools. Place closet corners equipped with hooks and baskets, so that power drills, hammers, saws, and any other accessories can all find their place in the closet with style and efficiency.

Rather than having your gear scattered around the room or taking up valuable closet shelf space, why not try something new and let closet corner storage work its magic? You’ll be surprised at how much extra closet storage space you can create for yourself!

Small utility closet with shelves holding various tools, cleaning supplies, and a wooden cabinet; open cabinet door at the bottom
Source: @casa_de_nix via Instagram
A wooden tool cabinet with various hand tools, saws, and organizers nearby, an organized workbench is partially visible
Source: @just4youwoodcraft via Instagram
A neatly organized woodworking cabinet with various tools, including chisels, squares, and gauges, displayed on shelves and drawers
Source: @ktkompel via Instagram
A small, organized storage closet with tools on wall racks, a tall green ladder, metal shelves, and plastic storage drawers
Source: @orangedreamr via Instagram
Wooden tool cabinet with open doors, showing organized hand tools and woodworking equipment; water bottle on the table in front
Source: @phoebeeverill via Instagram
Narrow storage room with a ladder, white cabinets, a black toolbox, and shelves
Source: @spatialdesignsolutions via Instagram

2. DIY A Storage Station With Wood Pallets

If you’re looking for a creative storage solution for tools around your home or workplace, consider making your own storage station out of wood pallets! This is an easy and inexpensive DIY project that can add a rustic touch to any room.

By upcycling wood pallets and adding some basic storage components, you can easily organize tools of all shapes and sizes in one handy storage station. With minimal effort and cost, this storage solution looks great and can last for years to come.

A workshop wall with various bar clamps and pipe clamps in red and yellow hanging neatly, coiled wire fencing stored below them
Source: @7g_woodworks via Instagram
Wall-mounted tool organizer with various woodworking tools, clamps, drills, and storage boxes arranged neatly
Source: @theaskewaesthetic via Instagram
Well-organized workshop with power tools on a wall-mounted rack, a workbench, chair, and tool storage units
Source: @stoutsawdust via Instagram
Wall-mounted tool rack with various woodworking tools, drill, and supplies organized neatly above a workbench with cabinets
Source: @eumo_furniture via Instagram
Woodworking tools are neatly hung on a wall, including clamps, a hammer, square, level, and a measuring tape
Source: @macys_workshop via Instagram
Neatly organized workshop bench with tools, glue, and equipment in a garage setting
Source: @t_daddy1970 via Instagram
Wooden tool organizer in a workshop, holding drills, pliers, wrenches, and other tools, with storage compartments and hooks
Source: @thenexthoudini via Instagram

3. Build Overhead Storage With A Ceiling Storage System

Ceiling tool storage systems are a great way to free up garage space and make your tools more accessible. Installing overhead storage racks takes advantage of unused overhead space, which helps keep the floor area clear. With a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, you can easily customize overhead tool storage to fit your needs and lifestyle.

Additionally, adding overhead storage not only makes it easier to keep track of tools but also will boost the look and feel of your workspace. Investing in an overhead storage system is a great way to utilize all available overhead space without taking away from the aesthetic of your garage.

A well-organized workshop with tools, shelves, a clock, posters, and artwork
Source: @evanswoodshopanddesign via Instagram

4. Install Rollout Shelves & Sliding Bypass Units

Tool storage can be a critical decision for any household workshop. In most cases, roll-out shelves and sliding units are the two best options for streamlining the workspace and efficiently organizing your tools.

Whether you’re a craftsman or a DIY enthusiast, roll-out shelves provide easy access to all of your equipment, so there’s no need to dig around for what you need; just roll it out and get to work. Sliding units keep things neat and tidy, giving you maximum vertical storage in minimal space.

By selecting roll-out shelves or a sliding unit, your tool storage problems will be a thing of the past!

A small workshop area with tools on the wall, a workbench, open drawers, and a mini-fridge; adjacent is a larger garage space
Source: @thandle1978 via Instagram

5. Get A Standalone Rolling Metal Toolbox

When it comes to tool storage, standalone rolling toolboxes quickly come to mind. They’re perfect for easy transport and handling of your tools when you’re in a tight space or just need quick access on the go. Even if you have a limited workshop area, adding one of these mobile units can save you from unnecessary frustration anytime you need to move your armory around.

You can also choose from different types of standalone storage like a metal toolbox that lets you securely organize not only often-used tools but those only used seasonally, too. Either way, portable storage keeps the tools you need most close at hand and ready when you are!

Open metal tool chest with various tools including drills, wrenches, and screwdrivers in a garage setting
Source: @angelvip2474 via Instagram
Blue tool chest with multiple drawers and circular handles, positioned under a wooden workbench next to a pegboard and blue vise
Source: @bgold_garage via Instagram
Orange Snap-on tool chest with wall-mounted tools and car memorabilia above
Source: @nary_metal via Instagram
Black and red tool chests with drawers are lined up against a wall in a garage, featuring various tools and equipment
Source: @indiana_lang via Instagram
Vintage metal cabinet with labeled drawers on wheels in a cluttered room with industrial decor and a Bethlehem Steel sign
Source: @namor.rm via Instagram
A garage workspace with a tool chest, pegboard filled with tools, and various equipment and supplies neatly organized
Source: @4rungunclimb via Instagram

6. Opt For Floating Shelves

Having floating tool storage will help to organize and tidy up your workspace. Floating shelves make excellent tool storage because they are versatile, sturdy, and easy to mount. You can choose from a variety of floating shelving options when selecting the perfect floating shelf for your needs – wood, metal, plastic, or even suspended cabinets with plenty of storage space.

With floating shelves, you’re also able to tailor each shelf to fit tools and supplies exactly as needed. Finally, floating shelves are an inexpensive way to store a wide range of items while saving precious floor or counter space. If you’re looking for the perfect solution to keep your workspace neat and tidy, floating tool storage is the way to go!

A workshop wall with organized tools, including chisels, screwdrivers, and pliers on wooden shelves and racks
Source: @b_gierl via Instagram
A tidy garage with a workbench, storage shelves, and various tools organized neatly; a lawn mower is parked on the left
Source: @james_renfrow657 via Instagram
A well-organized workshop with tools on shelves and a workbench; pegboard holds wrenches, cans, and boxes
Source: @st_arvans via Instagram
Wall-mounted tool storage with various tools like clamps, hammers, and screwdrivers organized neatly on wooden shelves and pegs
Source: @dennis.s2018 via Instagram
Garage wall storage with tools, clamps, and a vacuum. Shelves hold toolboxes and a triangular ruler. Red extension cords hang below
Source: @builditthrifty via Instagram

7. Be Creative With Repurposed Items

If you’re looking for creative ways to store old tools, repurposing old items may be the perfect solution. An old filing cabinet is a great place to start; it can easily hold an array of drill bits, wrenches, and other metal tools. And don’t forget that old multi-purpose holder – it could easily serve as the ideal spot for hammers, screwdrivers, and other small items.

Furthermore, when it comes to repurposed tool storage, creativity is key! With a little bit of imagination and resourcefulness, anything old can become a useful storage container.

Green metal cabinet with ten drawers on a wooden platform, set against a wooden fence background
Source: @east_coast_vintage_tools via Instagram
A variety of hammers neatly arranged on racks against a wall in a workshop, featuring wooden and metal handles
Source: @kjellmanchapinblacksmiths via Instagram

8. Stack Your Toolboxes

Tiered tool storage is an oft-overlooked but highly effective way to keep your tools secure, orderly, and easily accessible. Instead of leaving them scattered or stacked on top of one another, an efficient alternative is stacked toolboxes. This allows you to effectively utilize the vertical space around you while organizing your tools according to use.

You can also categorize them by size, regularly used during a certain project, or set aside a special box for sharp power tools that should be handled with extra care. Plus, stacked toolboxes are easy to customize and move around in your workspace as needed.

Inside a van, organized green and red tool storage with various tools like hammers and screwdrivers neatly arranged
Source: @morksnekkerservice via Instagram

9. Get A Peg Board

Whenever you undertake a DIY project, peg board tool storage can be a lifesaver. This simple solution is great for getting tools off the ground and making them accessible in an organized fashion. Setting up peg board tool storage is fairly easy and low-cost.

Start by deciding where to position your peg board: ideally above a workbench or in an area where you can access your tools frequently. Once in place, decide how to decorate it – pegboard tool organizers usually come with plastic holders that can be painted in different colors for added variety.

Finally, put each of your tools on its own peg or pegboard accessory and enjoy an organized workspace with all your pieces within reach!

A garage with a pegboard full of tools, including wrenches, pliers, and saws, organized on a wooden stand; shelves are visible in the background
Source: @nickwoodweld via Instagram
Pegboard with organized tools, including drills, screwdrivers, and containers with supplies, in a workshop setting
Source: @fultonfinewoodworks via Instagram
Metal workbench with tools and supplies, featuring drawers, a pegboard with items, a tabletop vise, and roller wheels on the legs
Source: @trinityinternational via Instagram
A cluttered workshop pegboard with various tools, clips, tape rolls, and boxes organized on the wall and shelves
Source: @dave_foss_ via Instagram
A tidy workshop with tools organized on a pegboard, workbenches, and storage bins; a "FIRE" sign and window are visible
Source: @dnt_u_wish via Instagram
A workshop pegboard displaying various tools, including hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and clamps, neatly organized
Source: @unclutterit via Instagram
Organized workshop with tools hanging on pegboards, shelves above, storage bins below, and a black countertop
Source: @wisemimarlik via Instagram
A well-organized workshop with tools, workbenches, and equipment neatly arranged on walls and surfaces
Source: @lazyguydiy via Instagram

10. Install A Portable Trunk Pull Out System

Who says portable tool storage has to be clumsy and hard to handle? With portable trunk pull-out systems, you can transport your tools quickly and simply. Imagine being able to take your portable tool storage wherever you need it, without the hassle – that’s exactly what portable trunk pull-out systems deliver.

This innovative design makes your portable tool storage easy to organize and transport, so you can enjoy quick and convenient access to the tools you need whenever you need them!

Organized tools and supplies in red boxes and containers on shelves inside a vehicle or van workspace
Source: @andyglassimpressions via Instagram
Van interior converted into a mobile workshop with red toolboxes, wood paneling, and a partially visible open sliding door
Source: @tossycarpenterjapan via Instagram
Mobile workshop interior with organized tools in shelves and drawers, where wooden storage units extend outward, revealing neatly arranged tools
Source: @builtbyevan via Instagram

11. Compartmentalize Your Tools For Easy Access

An organized tool storage shelf is an essential part of any workshop or home improvement station. Keeping everything in order allows for more efficiency, letting you get to the tools you need quickly and with minimum fuss. Investing in a shelf with compartments is a must, allowing you to sort the various tools into sections – hammers in one spot, screwdrivers in another, and so on – ensuring that everything can be quickly located when needed.

There’s nothing worse than starting a job only to find yourself delayed as you scramble around looking for the right tool; taking control of your storage situation will save loads of time and hassle!

Wooden shelves with assorted power tools, toolboxes, and cleaning supplies neatly arranged
Source: @jhampton_1 via Instagram
Wall-mounted tool station with various power tools, boxes, and a stereo; workbench below with branded stickers and items stored neatly
Source: @sdgarageyyc via Instagram
Wooden shelving unit with multiple storage boxes labeled "screws" and "nails," organized in a garage or workshop setting
Source: @rise.cabinetry via Instagram
Wall-mounted wooden shelf with power tool battery chargers and cordless drills organized below in a workshop setting
Source: @dallas_hayes via Instagram

12. Small Pegboard For Small Tools

When it comes to small tool storage, many of us are faced with the same dilemma: where to keep all those tiny tools?! Storing small hardware can be a pain — small parts belong in small places. That’s why having an organized small tool storage system is essential!

From small pegboards for tiny tools to magnetic metal pegboards, there’s literally no limit to how creative you can get when it comes to keeping your small tools safe and sound. No matter what small tool storage solution you choose, one thing is for sure — you won’t have to worry about frantically searching for that missing screw ever again!

A pegboard with various tools including rulers, clamps, levels, a hammer, and safety glasses neatly arranged and mounted on it
Source: @craftbude via Instagram
Woodworking workshop with tools on a workbench, shelves with supplies, a TV mounted on the wall, and a refrigerator
Source: @mattyschnarr via Instagram

13. Customized Storage For A Perfect Fit

When it comes to finding efficient storage solutions for your tools, customized tool storage is the way to go. Whether you are an avid DIYer or a professional in a workshop, customized tool storage is necessary to make sure your tools are orderly and easy to reach.

Customizing your tool storage gives you the freedom to choose the types of compartments and drawers that suit your individual needs. You can also ensure that the size of each compartment fits all the tools you plan on storing, so you know everything has its designated spot. With customized tool storage, organizing your workspace becomes easier than ever!

Wooden knife rack mounted on a wall, holding multiple knives with varied wooden handles, beneath a flat-screen TV
Source: @ktjimbogarage via Instagram
Woodshop with woodworking tools, clamps, and a "Haggard Pirate" flag on the wall; dust collector and router table visible
Source: @rynos_woodshop via Instagram

14. Secure Items With A Wall-Hanging Tool Chest

The wall-hanging tool chest storage system is an amazing invention that can save you space and keep your tools organized. Not only does it allow for a wall-mountable storage solution, but the enclosed chests provide a secure place to store all of your tools – no more sifting through piles!

The wall-hanging design also makes it easier to access what you need quickly because you’ll know where to find it. Whether you’re tackling home improvement projects or undertaking small renovations, wall-hanging tool chest storage is a great choice when looking for a smart and creative solution.

Open wooden cabinet displaying various woodworking tools neatly organized on shelves
Source: @manyoftheobjects via Instagram
Woodworking tools organized in an open wooden cabinet: numerous chisels, planes, and other tools are neatly arranged on shelves and doors
Source: @ravaughanfurniture via Instagram
Wall-mounted pegboard with tools, pliers, hammers, and saws. Blue bins below hold assorted items. A wooden cabinet door is open
Source: @sealsonparade via Instagram

15. Set Up A Workbench With Storage Space

Having a workbench with storage space makes work much easier and more satisfying. The workbench is great for any workspace – home, garage, or workshop – as it provides easy access to your tools when you need them. Forget about having to constantly search for the tool you need; just reach down and pick it out of the workbench with storage!

Not only that, but having all that extra space on hand ensures you can take on a variety of projects with the supplies you keep close at hand in a workbench with storage. Get ready to become a pro DIYer in no time!

A wooden chest sits on a workbench in a cluttered workshop with tools hanging on the walls and shelves
Source: @fullcirclewoodworker via Instagram
Outdoor workshop area with tools on a wall board, including drills and wrenches, above a green workbench with a wooden countertop
Source: @p_a_rustik via Instagram
A well-organized workshop wall with various tools mounted above a wooden bench, and power tools stored in compartments below
Source: @thatcarpenterdude via Instagram

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an easy DIY solution for my storage needs?

A system with vertical slats and various hooks and shelves is an easy fix, that you can customize to your specific needs.

What is an efficient way to hang several bikes on the garage ceiling?

There is a ceiling-mounted glider system that allows you to store 4 bikes. You place the bikes mounted on glides, and once they are on the hooks, you can slide them closer to the wall. The hooks can slide back and forth and bikes can be stored together, taking up less space. Two-bike add-ons are available for you to expand the storage capacity.

Liz Bittar

Writer

Liz Bittar is a writer/editor, fluent in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese, who has lived and worked in England, the USA, Switzerland, Argentina, and in her home country, Brazil.

Liz Bittar is a writer/editor, fluent in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese, who has lived and worked in England, the USA, Switzerland, Argentina, and in her home country, Brazil.

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