Here’s everything you need to know about the various garage tool storage options out there
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If you’re some kind of car enthusiast, you may spend as much time in your garage as you do driving. On some days, the garage is your retreat; on others, it’s a place to work on your car. Sometimes it’s a place to just sit back and relax. Obviously, sharing space with the cars are your tools, and there can be a lot of them! And if you’re anything like us, you don’t want those tools scattered around—what you want is an organized garage where everything is in its place.
So here are some garage tool-storage ideas for you to turn your shop into an efficient place in which to work. Ideally, tools should be easily accessible, and organized logically and intuitively so they’re a help rather than a hindrance.
Types of garage tool-storage solutions
Generally speaking, when it comes to tool storage, you’re looking at three major types, here.
Free-standing cabinets
These are by far the most common and highly practical. Carts and cabinets with wheels can roll across the floor easily and offer great flexibility, especially where space is limited. These are also great for storing your heavy tools.
Wall-mounted units
You know what looks great next to that Porsche poster? Yup, A wall-mounted shelf. These require less space and can even be customized for small nooks and corners. You can even turn a shelf into a “garage” for your model cars!
Ceiling-mounted storage
When there’s no space on the floor, look up! Ceiling-mounted storage maximizes the vertical space and is great for those tools you don’t use too often. These also liberate more floor space for you to move around, and help put hazardous items out of reach of children.
There are lots of different types of storage solutions within these broad classifications.
1. Free-standing storage options
a. Tool chest
Good-quality tool chests are usually made of thick-gauge steel and cope well with rough handling so they last a long time, too. With drawers of varied sizes, you can store different tools in the same chest (and, of course, move the whole thing around on wheels). Some chests also offer lockable drawers, which adds a bit of security.
b. Workbench with storage
It’s like killing two birds with one stone (not that we encourage killing birds here at Driving.ca, but you get the idea). A work bench with built-in storage ensures you have ample support while working on a project, and that your tools are within arm’s reach.
c. Cabinets
Apart from the obvious storage space, cabinets offer greater flexibility for putting away larger items. A cabinet system can also add to the aesthetics of the garage — you can stylishly hide the clutter away and keep the floor tidy.
2. Wall-mounted storage options
a. Shelving units
A heavy-duty shelving unit is a great option for smaller garages where floor space is at a premium. Consider how deep you want the units to be depending on the tools and space you have. A minimum of four tiers is probably a good idea.
b. Pegboards
The simplicity of the decades-old pegboard is hard to top—yes, it’s just a flat board with evenly spaced holes for pegs to hang your tools on, but it works so incredibly well! If you don’t want to spend too much money, this may be the way to go, although you may not be able to hang heavier tools on it.
c. Slatted wall panels
These solve the problem of heavier loads that pegboards can’t. These come in metal or PVC, and there are lots of accessories to customize these to your particular needs. In fact, you can even get bins that mount on a slat wall to increase your storage space.
3. Ceiling-mounted storage options
a. Overhead racks
The best way to put away things you don’t need frequently – seasonal sporting gear or camping equipment, for example – is to put them away in an overhead rack. There’s flexibility in terms of the sizes, and all you need to keep things organized is to label the boxes!
b. Pulley-system storage
If you’re allergic to ladders and wasting time, get yourself a garage pulley-storage system. Move your stuff from the roof right down to the floor, and then back up again when you’re done. It’s convenient, especially for seniors, for whom lifting a heavy box over their heads isn’t the safest thing to do.
With so many options, you can look at mixing and matching various storage types with what works best for your garage. Keep in mind the amount of space you want to utilize, weight limits of the storage units, and the kind of things you want to store.
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