Look, I get it. You open the shed door, and an avalanche of rakes, shovels, and that weird three-pronged thing you bought last spring comes tumbling out. Your garage looks like a garden center had a nervous breakdown, and you’re pretty sure there’s a trowel living rent-free somewhere behind the lawnmower.
Been there. Done that. Got the bruised shin to prove it.
Here’s the thing: organizing your garden tools doesn’t require a degree in engineering or selling a kidney to afford fancy storage systems. I’ve tested, tried, and occasionally cursed at enough storage solutions to know what actually works (and what’s just Instagram-worthy garbage that’ll fall apart by June).
So grab your coffee, and let’s talk about 22 garden tool storage ideas that’ll actually make your life easier. No fluff, no “revolutionary systems” that cost more than your mortgage—just real solutions for real gardeners.
Wall-Mounted Pegboard Systems
Pegboards aren’t just for your dad’s workshop anymore. I mounted one in my garage three years ago, and honestly? Game-changer.
The layout is fully customizable and that is ideal since we all know how easy it is to buy more tools than you intended. Hooks, baskets, shelves fit easily in place and it all can be seen at a glance. No longer does one have to search through a shadowy corner in the hope that they found the pruning shears.
Pro tip: Paint the pegboard a fun color. Mine’s sage green, and it makes me feel way more organized than I actually am 🙂
Best for: Small to medium tool collections, frequently used items
PVC Pipe Tool Holders
This one’s ridiculously simple and stupid cheap. Cut PVC pipes into different lengths, mount them to a board or directly to your wall, and boom—instant tool holders.
The vertical pipes work great for long-handled tools like shovels, rakes, and hoes. You can space them however you need, and they’ll never rust or rot. FYI, I spent about $15 and an hour on this project, and it’s held up for four years.
What you’ll need:
- 4-6 inch diameter PVC pipes
- Wood screws
- Mounting board (optional)
- A saw to cut the pipes
Repurposed Pallet Storage
Ever wonder why people hoard pallets? This is why. Free pallets make fantastic vertical storage for garden tools.
However, one can stand it on its feet, fasten it on the wall, and suspend the tools with the slats. You can even put in small shelves in between the slats, to house packets of seeds, gloves, or even that pile of plant labels you so obviously need (you do not, but that is not our business).
Sand it down if you’re feeling fancy. Leave it rustic if you’re not. Either way, it works.
Magnetic Tool Strips
I know what you’re thinking: “Magnets? For garden tools?” Hear me out.
Magnetic strips work brilliantly for smaller metal tools—trowels, cultivators, pruning shears, and hand rakes. Mount them inside your shed door or on the wall, and those little tools that always go missing finally have a home.
IMO, this is one of those solutions that seems too simple to work, but it absolutely does. Plus, there’s something weirdly satisfying about tools snapping into place.
5-Gallon Bucket Organizer
Buckets are not only useful to carry things about. Stuff one with sand (kitty litter the day you feel like being a rebel), plunge your tools into handle-down and you have portable storage, and your tools are kept clean and sharp at the same time.
The sand prevents rust and keeps blades from dulling. Move the bucket wherever you’re working, and everything you need is right there. Genius, right?
| Feature | Benefit | Cost | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand-filled bucket | Cleans & sharpens | $5-10 | Years |
| Portable design | Take anywhere | Free bucket | Weather-proof |
Overhead Ceiling Storage
Got high ceilings in your garage or shed? Stop wasting that space. Install overhead racks or hooks for long-handled tools you don’t use daily.
This keeps your floor clear and protects tools from moisture damage. Just make sure you can actually reach them without a ladder every single time. Trust me on this one—I learned the hard way :/
Garden Tool Tower
These freestanding organizers are perfect if you rent or don’t want to drill holes everywhere. They typically hold 30-40 tools and have a small footprint.
I am not telling a lie–some of them are weak stuff. Seek powder-coated steel or metal. The inexpensive ones will fall when you sneeze over them.
Key features to check:
- Weighted base for stability
- Rust-resistant materials
- Multiple hook sizes
- Easy assembly (nobody’s got time for 50-page instructions)
Repurposed Rake Head
This is one of my favorites because it’s clever and costs exactly zero dollars. Got an old rake with a broken handle? Don’t toss it.
Mount the rake head to your wall (teeth pointing up), and use the gaps between the tines to store hand tools. It’s quirky, functional, and guests always ask about it.
Rolling Garden Cart with Storage
A rolling cart with a storage shelf is a savior to people like me with bad backs (hi, it is me). Stock your most used tools in it, roll it wherever you are working and save the thousand trips that you need to make to the shed.
Look for one with big wheels that can handle grass and gravel. Those tiny wheels are useless the second you hit anything but smooth concrete.
Slotted Shelf Storage
These specialized shelves have slots cut into them for tool handles. Your tools stand upright, organized, and you can see everything instantly.
You can buy these or make them yourself with a drill and some basic woodworking. Either way, they’re excellent for keeping things tidy without taking up much space.
Broom Gripper Hooks
These spring-loaded grippers weren’t designed for garden tools, but they work like a charm. Slide the handle in, and the gripper holds it securely until you need it.
They’re especially good for awkwardly shaped tools that don’t hang well on regular hooks. Plus, you can install them in about five minutes.
Works great for:
- Long-handled tools
- Odd-shaped implements
- Heavy items that need secure storage
Shoe Organizer for Small Tools
Yeah, you read that right. Those over-the-door shoe organizers? Perfect for small garden tools and supplies.
Do the same thing in your shed, or garage, put the seed packets in one of the pockets, the tools of a hand, some twine, plant labels, your garden gloves–all those trifles that you so often find all over. You will ask how you can have done without it.
Garden Hose Pot with Tool Storage
These decorative pots do double duty. Store your hose on top and stick tool handles in the sides. They look nice (important for those of us with limited storage who keep tools near the house), and they’re functional.
Fair warning: cheaper ones crack in freezing weather. Spend a bit more for resin or heavy-duty plastic if you live somewhere with actual winters.
Wall-Mounted Bin System
Those stackable bins you can mount on walls? Fantastic for organizing by tool type or project. One bin for pruning tools, one for digging tools, one for that random stuff you’re not quite sure what to do with.
Label them if you’re organized. Don’t label them if you’re not. They work either way.
Corner Tool Rack
Corners are wasted space in most sheds and garages. A corner-mounted rack fixes that while keeping tools accessible.
These typically hold 6-10 long-handled tools in the space you weren’t using anyway. It’s like finding free real estate in your own garage.
Mesh Wire Baskets
Mount some wire baskets to your wall for those in-between items—garden gloves, pruning shears, seed packets, that half-empty bag of fertilizer.
The mesh allows everything to dry and this prevents the mildew and rust. But also it has the advantage of being able to see what is inside it rather than playing a game of What Is Buried in This Plastic Bin on a daily basis.
Wheelbarrow as Display Storage
If you’ve got an old wheelbarrow that’s seen better days but isn’t quite ready for the scrap heap, turn it into storage.
Lean your long-handled tools in it, and it becomes a functional decoration. This works especially well if you’re going for that rustic garden aesthetic. Or if you just can’t bring yourself to throw away a perfectly decent wheelbarrow.
Tension Rod Tool Holder
Stick an adjustable tension rod (like a shower curtain rod) between two walls or inside a narrow space, and hang your lightweight tools from S-hooks.
This is perfect for awkward, narrow spaces that can’t fit traditional storage. It’s also renter-friendly since you’re not putting holes in anything.
Repurposed Mailbox Storage
Small garden accessories and tools are stored in odd old rural mailboxes. One can be mounted on a shed wall and gloves, seed packets and hand tools can be stored there.
Is it necessary? Absolutely not. Is it charming? Kinda, yeah.
Ladder Tool Storage
An old wooden ladder leaned against a wall becomes instant tiered storage. Hang tools from the rungs or rest them across the steps.
This works best with sturdy wooden ladders—those wobbly aluminum ones will just stress you out. And yeah, this is definitely more of a “decorative rustic” vibe than a “maximum efficiency” solution.
Mobile Tool Station
Build (or buy) a mobile workstation with storage underneath. Think of it like a kitchen island for your garden shed.
You get a work surface for potting plants or sharpening tools, plus all your supplies stored right underneath. Casters make it movable, which is great for cleaning or reorganizing.
Hooks and Dowels System
Sometimes simple is best. Mount dowels or heavy-duty hooks in a pattern that works for your tool collection.
Space them based on what you actually own, not some theoretical perfect system. Your shovel doesn’t care if it’s not hanging at the geometrically ideal distance from your rake.
Tool Apron Wall Hanger
Hang a canvas tool apron on your wall and use the pockets for frequently used items. When you’re heading out to garden, grab the whole apron and wear it.
This is brilliant for those quick gardening sessions where you just need a few things and don’t want to make multiple trips.
Wrapping This Up
Small garden accessories and tools are stored in odd old rural mailboxes. One should be mounted on your shed wall and be used as gloves, seed packets and hand tools.
Start with what bugs you most. Can’t find your pruning shears? Fix that first. Tripping over rakes? Deal with those. You don’t need to reorganize everything tomorrow.
Pick one or two ideas from this list, try them out, and adjust as needed. Your garden tools don’t care if their storage system cost $10 or $100. They just want to stop living in a pile on your garage floor.
And honestly? So do you.
Now get out there and reclaim your space. Your future self (and shins) will thank you.