Tool Storage Ideas for a Small Garage
Tool storage ideas for a small garage: sort the small parts into drawers, stand the long tools in a rack, and put the big gear in cabinets so the floor stays clear.
On this page
The socket set is in a box under the bench, the screws are in a coffee can, and the rakes lean against the wall where the car door swings. Tool storage ideas are the fix: a place for every tool, sized to the garage you have, so the next job starts with the tool in hand instead of a hunt through boxes. Sort the small parts into drawers, stand the long-handled tools upright in a rack, and give the bulky gear a cabinet, and the floor stays clear for the car and the work.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Below: how to sort the small parts, stand up the long-handled tools, and plan a cabinet wall, and the gear that holds it all.
Akro-Mils 44-Drawer Plastic Storage Cabinet
A 44-drawer plastic storage cabinet, 20 inches wide by 6 inches deep by 16 inches high, made in the USA from high-impact plastic. The drawers come in large (6 by 4-9/16 by 2-3/16 inch) and small (6 by 2-7/32 by 1-9/16 inch) sizes with dividers included, and the cabinet stacks or wall-mounts on keyhole slots. The listing states a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- 44 drawers in large and small sizes with dividers included, built for fasteners and small parts.
- Made in the USA from rugged high-impact plastic.
- Stacks securely or wall-mounts on keyhole slots; rear stop tabs keep drawers from spilling.
- The only stated warranty here: 1 year from the manufacturer.
Cons
- Small parts only; it will not hold power tools or heavy shop gear.
- Title says 20 by 6 by 16 inches but the spec table lists 15.99 by 19.99 by 6.99 inches; trust the title and bullets.
- Plastic drawers, not steel; keep heavy items out of them.
- No lock, so shared shops need another option for valuables.
IRIS USA 44-Drawer Small Parts Storage Cabinet
A 44-drawer small parts cabinet in white, 7 by 19.5 by 15.5 inches, wall-mountable and stackable, for screws, nuts, bolts and small hardware.
Pros
- 44 drawers in large and small sizes for small parts
- Wall-mountable and stackable with built-in grooves
- Made in the USA from durable, recyclable materials
- Large drawers measure 6.87 by 4.31 by 2.12 inches
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Small parts only, not for long-handled tools
- Only white is stated
- Drawer sizes suit small hardware, not bulky items
Garden Tool Organizer, Garage Tool Organizer
A heavy-duty steel tool rack with 35 slots for rakes, brooms, shovels and mops, with height-adjustable feet and a square footprint for a garage corner.
Pros
- 35 tool slots for rakes, brooms, shovels and mops
- All-metal framework in rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant steel
- Height-adjustable feet for uneven ground
- Screws and wrenches included, with an illustrated manual
Cons
- Bullets and spec table disagree on dimensions and weight
- No warranty term is stated
- Long-handled tools only, not small parts
- Only black is stated
Metal Garage Storage Cabinets System
An 8-piece steel cabinet set with 2 tall cabinets, 2 rolling base cabinets, 3 wall cabinets and a workbench, with locks and 360-degree rotating wheels.
Pros
- 8 pieces: 2 tall cabinets, 2 rolling base cabinets, 3 wall cabinets, 1 workbench
- 100% cold rolled steel, 0.8mm thick, all-welded
- Furniture locks on the cabinets
- 360-degree rotating wheels, detachable and lockable
Cons
- No dimensions are stated
- No weight is stated
- Assembly required
- No warranty term is stated
Tool storage ideas: start with the small parts
Small parts go missing first, so they get sorted first. Screws, nuts and bolts each get a drawer, and the drawer gets a label, so the right fastener is found without tipping a box onto the bench. The IRIS cabinet in this guide holds 44 drawers in large and small sizes: large drawers 6.87 by 4.31 by 2.12 inches for the bigger hardware, and small drawers 6 by 2.12 inches for the rest. The cabinet measures 7 inches long by 19.5 inches wide by 15.5 inches high, and it is made in the USA from durable, recyclable materials. Built-in grooves let it stack or mount on the wall, so it can go on the wall instead of on the bench. The Akro-Mils cabinet in this guide is a second 44-drawer option, a black plastic cabinet 20 by 6 by 16 inches, for the same small-parts job.
Stand the long tools upright
Long-handled tools lean, slide and fall, so they get a rack of their own. The Sttoraboks rack in this guide holds 35 tools in 35 slots: shovels, leaf rakes, bow rakes, mops and brooms, each standing in its own slot instead of leaning on the wall. The frame is all-metal, in rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant steel, and height-adjustable feet keep it steady on uneven ground. The bullets state 17 by 12 by 29 inches and a weight of 3kg, and the rack fits garages, gardens, sheds, patios and backyards. Screws and wrenches are included, with an illustrated manual, and the maker lists setup in minutes.
Plan a cabinet wall for the bulky gear
Bulky gear needs a cabinet, not a shelf. The Yoonkool set in this guide is an 8-piece set: 2 tall cabinets, 2 base rolling cabinets, 3 wall cabinets and a workbench, so the tall gear, the rolling gear and the bench each have a place. The cabinets are 100% cold rolled steel, 0.8mm thick, all-welded and powder-coated, with furniture locks and a surface that is easy to clean. Ergonomic handles and 360-degree rotating wheels move the rolling cabinets where they are needed, and the wheels detach and lock for stability during use. Assembly is required, and the listing states no dimensions, no weight and no warranty term, so measure the wall before ordering.
Gear for tool storage in this guide
Once the drawers, the rack and the cabinet wall are planned, the gear below covers each step: drawers for the small parts, a rack for the long handles, and cabinets for the bulky gear.
FAQ: garage tools
Where should small parts go in a small garage?
In drawers, sorted by type. The IRIS cabinet holds 44 drawers in large and small sizes, and the Akro-Mils cabinet holds 44 drawers in a black plastic cabinet 20 by 6 by 16 inches. Built-in grooves let the IRIS cabinet stack or mount on the wall, so the drawers can go on the wall instead of sitting on the bench.
How do I store long-handled tools?
Stand them upright in a rack with a slot for each tool. The Sttoraboks rack holds 35 tools in 35 slots, including shovels, leaf rakes, bow rakes, mops and brooms, and its height-adjustable feet keep it steady on uneven ground.
What holds bulky tools and power tools?
A cabinet set with locks. The Yoonkool set has 8 pieces: 2 tall cabinets, 2 base rolling cabinets, 3 wall cabinets and a workbench, in 100% cold rolled steel, 0.8mm thick, with furniture locks.
Can I mount a parts cabinet on the wall?
Yes, if the listing says so. The IRIS cabinet is wall-mountable and stackable, with built-in grooves for stacking or wall mounting. The Akro-Mils listing states no mounting, so check before hanging it.
Do I need to assemble the cabinets?
The Yoonkool set needs assembly, and the maker says it replies within 12 hours if assembly help is needed. The Sttoraboks rack comes with its screws and wrenches and an illustrated manual, and the listing says it goes up in minutes.
Related: the tool storage hub, the tool storage for a shed guide and the garage workbench guide. Also see the parts organizer for the workbench.
