8 Best Garden Tool Organizers to Keep Things Tidy in Your Garage or Shed
Updated: Apr. 23, 2024
Save yourself time and headaches when you head out for yard work. Here's the dirt on the best garden tool organizers.
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It takes a lot of tools to manage your yard and garden. Having smart ways to keep everything organized will save you a lot of time in finding what you need–and wouldn’t you rather spend more time outside working in nice weather? Instead of leaving all that equipment sprawled out, we found solutions to storing your garden tools while keeping them easy to access so you can grab them, use them and put them away quickly.
“Whether you use your garage, shed or basement, storing gardening tools properly will save you from having to replace them the next year,” says Jane Dobbs, Gardening Team Lead at Allan’s Gardeners. “Store your garden devices neatly in a dry place off the ground after you’ve cleaned them.”
We dug into the most versatile and useful garden tool organizers to save you time and space while keeping everything tidy.
Best Overall
StoreYourBoard BLAT Tool Storage Rack
Pros:
- Each rack holds up to 250 pounds
- Made of durable, rust-resistant steel
- Comes assembled with adjustable wall mount
- Storage slots are long enough to hold multiple tools
- Comes in black or gray
Cons:
- Installation required
The StoreYourBoard tool storage rack is our best overall pick for garden tool organizers. It’s heavy-duty, highly rated and built to safely hold all of your tools, particularly all those long-handled racks, hoes and shovels. This fully customizable system includes six storage attachments and holds up to 250 pounds, even coiled-up garden hoses and power tools. The “BLAT” (Built Like A Tank) construction is powder-coated solid steel, so it’ll resist rust and corrosion, even in a damp storage shed or garage.
Best Budget
Manoky 10-Pack Wall Mount Tool Holder
Pros:
- Wallet-friendly
- Comes in a 10-pack
- Each piece is separate for a custom setup
- Made with rust-resistant, powder-coated metal
Cons:
- Each clamp only holds up to 35 pounds
This 10-pack of spring-based clamps offer an inexpensive and versatile organizing solution, as they can be mounted wherever you need to hang a long-handled yard tool. They work for both indoor and outdoor tool storage, so feel free to spread them out across your garage, shed or backyard wall or fence—essentially anywhere you need to keep a shovel or rack handy. Since the clamps are separate rather than fixed on a rail or shelf, you can arrange them to suit both the tool and the available space.
Best Tower
Rubbermaid Garage Tool Tower Rack
Pros:
- Grid pattern securely and neatly holds tools
- Freestanding design with four wheels
- Includes a molded-in weed trimmer and electric cord holder
- Slim profile saves space
Cons:
- May need to be propped against a wall if tools are top-heavy
The Rubbermaid tower rack is a favorite among Amazon buyers, with over 12,300 people giving it a five-star rating. With a variety of slots and spaces, it’s adaptable and can hold up to 40 garden tools of all shapes and lengths. The front clips allow for head-down storage, and curved tubing provides additional stability. Plus, four casters (two locking) provide some mobility. The tower rack is easy to assemble (no tools required), and was designed not to rust or dent.
Best Cabinet
Suncast Freestanding Garage Cabinet
Pros:
- Adjustable, steel-reinforced shelving
- Each shelf holds up to 75 pounds
- Latch can accommodate a padlock
- Compact footprint
Cons:
- Not made for longer tools
This freestanding cabinet stores pots, fertilizer and hand tools—and does so with a small footprint. Made from durable, double-wall resin, this base cabinet can be used in many versatile ways. Use it alone, placed under a work bench or combined with Suncast’s corresponding wall cabinets and a tall cabinet to create a larger work area. The good news is that it won’t overwhelm your garage, thanks to the 32-inch-by-20.25-inch-by-36-inch design. Plus, the doors mean your garage or shed will look extra neat and tidy.
Best for Corners
Rubbermaid Corner Tool Tower Rack
Pros:
- Slides into unused corner space
- Accommodates up to 30 tools
- Made of heavy-duty plastic
- Won’t break the bank
Cons:
- Not adjustable
The popular Rubbermaid corner tool rack holds up to 30 tools and is designed to fit snugly into that unused corner space. The plastic construction is sturdy, yet lightweight, and is easy to assemble. The large, solid base provides stability so the rack won’t tip over, even with large tools stored in it. But for added stability, the tower can be anchored to the wall.
Best Wall-Mounted
YueTong Adjustable Wall Mount Organizer
Pros:
- Wall-mounted, space-saving tool design
- Rubberized hooks won’t scratch tools
- Made with durable, anti-corrosion metal
- Boards can be mounted together or separately
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the hooks are placed too close together
For added space and versatility, consider this top-rated garden tool wall rack. Each metal back board (there’s four in total) feature five rubber hooks and six fixed hooks that hold 15 pounds each. You can hang each board separately, or all together for 68 inches in length. The combination of rubber hooks and fixed hooks means you can hold long and small tools, making it ideal for organizing all of your garden tools together.
Best with Extra Storage
Yaheetech Garden Potting Work Bench
Pros:
- Garden tool storage and work bench in one
- Features three built-in hooks
- Cabinet section has a sturdy latch
- Great value
Cons:
- Assembly and tools required
- Cabinet doesn’t lock
This garden work bench organizes your small gardening tools while giving you a place to work. It features a work surface, a drawer and cabinet, side hooks for hanging tools and gardening gloves and an open shelf for baskets. Made from 100% fir wood, the tabletop holds up to 220 pounds while the bottom shelf and cabinet hold up to 176 pounds. The work surface is metal, so it’s water-resistant and built to last as a workstation.
Best Cart
Pure Garden Rolling Storage Bin Cart
Pros:
- Doubles as a seat up to 220 pounds
- Spacious interior bin
- Has four 6-inch wheels
- Affordable
Cons:
- Storage is limited
- Seat might not work for taller users
With a deep bin, interior tool tray and sturdy wheels, a garden cart can double as portable storage for the hand tools you use the most often and a place to sit for planting and weeding. Pure Garden’s garden cart has a latching top, a lift-out tool tray, a built-in handle and four slots to hold the garden tools you’re using while you work. And for added convenience, it’s small enough to park in a garage so it’s ready to roll out when needed.
What to Look for When Buying a Garden Tool Organizer
Before you decide on the best way to organize the garden tools in your garage, take an inventory and see what you have. Tall shovels, racks and hoes need a place where they can be hung safely without tumbling over and sturdy construction that can handle their weight. Smaller hand tools, like trowels, gloves and hand cultivators, need a smaller space, like a bucket or bin, to corral them so they don’t get lost. Light machinery, like leaf blowers and trimmers, might need to be kept close to an extension cord to run them.
“Choose a garden tool organizer with enough space based on how many tools you have and their sizes. Invest in durable materials like metal, wood or plastic that can handle the outdoors,” says Dobbs.
You should also consider the climate where you live. Garages and sheds can be vulnerable to damp and cold temperatures throughout the year, and you don’t want your good tools to rust.
“Look for features like UV protection and waterproofing. Materials should be rust-resistant,” says Dobbs. “You can get wall-mounted racks, freestanding units or portable tool caddies. Choose an organizer that’s easy to access. Organizers with wheels or handles are great if you have to move your tools around often or have a small garden.”
Why You Should Trust Us
As a shopping writer, I spend time researching products to ensure I’m recommending the best options on the market. However, aside from my efforts, Family Handyman has been providing carefully vetted insights into the home space since 1951, so we’re trusted in various fields, including gardening.
For this piece, we consulted expert, Jane Dobbs, leader of the gardening team at Allan’s Gardeners. She has worked as a gardener for 10 years and loves that she gets to combine her passion with her work.
How We Found the Best Garden Tool Organizers
In searching for the best products to help you organize your garden tools, we evaluated dozens of products based on durability, price and versatility. We also looked for different kinds of organization products, from racks that hang on a wall to racks that stand safely in a corner, making use of wasted space. We also looked for products that perform double duty, like rolling bins and potting benches, that can work beyond your garage or garden shed.
FAQ
How do you store shovels and rakes?
Tall tools, like shovels and racks, should be hung with the handles down. Ensure you have a rack high enough to clear the floor and isn’t at face level. Ensuring you don’t bump into a sharp or protruding edge is a surefire way to prevent tool injuries. Make sure to clean the dirt off after using them to keep your tools from rusting and getting dull edges.
“To keep shovels and rakes sharp, cover the blades with protective caps or sheaths when storing them,” says Dobbs. “Lay shovels and rakes out by size, with longer-handled tools at the back and shorter ones at the front, for easier access.”
What is the best storage solution for garden tools?
Many garage storage solutions have adjustable hooks that are helpful for small tools, like clippers and cultivators. You can also keep them together in a small garden cart or in a garden tool bag, ready to be taken out when you need them.
Originally Published: May 19, 2021
