Garden Tool Storage Ideas for Every Size of Garden

Garden Tool Storage Ideas for Every Size of Garden

Posted by Amy Hall on 10th Nov 2026

Garden Tool Storage Ideas for Every Size of Garden

Illustrated garden tools frame a clear title space

The best garden tool storage keeps tools dry, off the floor and easy to reach. For most UK gardens that means a shed or lockable store, a wall rack for long-handled tools, a shelf for small hand tools, and lidded tubs or a storage bench for outdoor toys. You can build a tidy system in an afternoon, whatever the size of your plot.

Below you will find ideas for sheds, walls and small spaces, simple DIY options, and a section on keeping children’s toys organised and safe. Each idea is numbered, so you can pick the ones that suit your garden and come back to the rest later.

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TL;DR

  • Clean and dry tools before they go away, and keep them under cover rather than leaving them out overnight.
  • Hang spades, rakes and brooms on a wall rack. Keep trowels and hand tools on a shelf or in a tray.
  • In a small garden, go vertical: wall hooks, a narrow shelving unit or a storage bench.
  • Store toys in labelled, lidded tubs or trugs, and hang long items such as hoops and ropes on hooks.
  • Keep electric tools dry and unplugged, and keep anything sharp out of reach of young children.

Table of Contents

1. Start by clearing, cleaning and drying

Before you buy a single hook, empty the shed or corner where your tools live. Sort everything into three piles: tools you use every month, tools you use once or twice a season, and things you have not touched in years. Be honest with the last pile. Rusty, broken or duplicate items take up the room you need.

Next, wipe soil from blades and handles. Tool makers advise that tools should not be left outside, even on dry days, because dew and wet grass expose them to moisture. Cleaning off soil, letting tools dry completely and storing them somewhere dry helps reduce rust and handle rot. A stiff brush, an old cloth and a few minutes at the end of a gardening session is all it takes.

If your blades have lost their edge while you are at it, our guide to how to sharpen garden tools covers secateurs, loppers, shears and spades. And if you are building your kit from scratch, the essential tools for UK beginners shows what is worth keeping close to hand.

2. Choose where your tools will live

There are four main homes for garden tools. The right one depends on how much you own and how much outdoor space you have.

Storage option Best for Things to think about
Garden shed Full sets of long-handled tools, mowers, bags of compost Needs a dry, level base and room to walk in
Garage or utility room Tools you want secure and out of the weather Hang items so nothing falls when a door opens
Storage bench or deck box Small gardens, patios, hand tools and toys Limited length, so long-handled tools will not fit
Wall rack or shelf on an outside wall Tight spaces and tidy side passages Tools still need cover from rain

If you have the space, a shed is the simplest all-round answer. Our range includes the Keter Factor shed (8x11) and the Keter Stronghold shed (10x11.5) with reinforced construction if you are looking at a ready-made building with room to organise properly.

3. Hang long-handled tools on the wall

Wall storage is the single biggest space saver for tools. It clears the floor, stops handles from tangling and lets you see everything at a glance.

How to set up a wall rack:

  1. Lay your spades, forks, rakes and brooms on the floor in the order you want them to hang.
  2. Measure the gaps and mark them on the wall. A garage storage wall approach uses hooks sized to fit around the tool necks, and arranging the tools on the floor first lets you transfer the layout to the wall.
  3. Fix a length of treated timber or a rail to the studs or masonry with suitable plugs and screws, then add hooks.
  4. Hang the heaviest tools lowest and closest to the door.

A pegboard works well too. Use hooks and trays at a reachable height and leave clearance underneath for larger tools. Avoid hanging anything where it could swing or fall when you open a door.

Large versus small tools: as a rule of thumb, spades, hoes and brooms suit wall hanging, while trowels, hand forks and cultivators are easier to find on a shelf or in a tray. A small shelf above the rack keeps the little things from disappearing into a bucket.

4. Keep small tools and supplies in reach

Hand tools, twine, plant ties, gloves and seed packets are what usually end up in a muddle. A few small habits help:

  • Use a shallow tray or wooden box on a shelf for trowels and hand forks.
  • Keep secateurs on a hook at eye level, with the blades closed.
  • Store seeds and small items in labelled tins or lidded boxes so damp does not get in.
  • Hang gloves on a clip or peg so they dry between uses.

If you grow plants in pots, keep spare compost and pots together in one corner. Our outdoor pots and planters range includes plenty of styles that look good stacked by a wall or shed.

5. Small space tool storage ideas

A balcony, courtyard or narrow side return does not leave much room, but it can still hold a neat set of tools if you think vertically.

  1. Go up, not out. Vertical wall storage is the standard answer for a small garden. A short rail with three or four hooks holds a spade, a fork, a rake and a hand brush.
  2. Use a storage bench. It gives you seating and a lidded space for hand tools, gloves and a watering can.
  3. Choose a narrow shelving unit. An old bookcase or shelving unit placed against a fence can hold buckets, trugs and small tools. Add a solid top shelf to shield what is below from rain.
  4. Lean a ladder against a wall. An old wooden ladder can hold plants or tools on each rung, which is a handy trick for tight corners.
  5. Re-use a bin. An old bin makes a quick, cheap way to stand long-handled tools upright in a corner.

If your garden is small, choose tools with a compact footprint and keep only what you use. A tidy kit of seven well-chosen tools often does more than a crowded shed.

6. DIY and repurposed storage

You do not need to spend much to build useful storage. These ideas use materials you may already own.

Pallet tool holder

Secure a vertical pallet to support beams in a shed and slide long-handled tools between its boards. This pallet method works because each handle sits in its own slot. Sand any rough edges first so you do not catch your hands, and consider a waterproof stain or sealant if the pallet will be exposed to damp.

Long-handled garden tools stored in pallet slots

Old furniture turned storage

Solid-wood furniture can be given a second life as garden storage. Protect it with garden-furniture preservative or oil-based paint so it copes with the weather. A cupboard makes a good potting station, and a chest of drawers can hold small tools, labels and string.

Wooden cupboard repurposed as a garden potting station

A simple hanging rail

A length of upcycled timber, a handful of heavy-duty hooks and some wall plugs make a rail in under an hour. Mark the height with a spirit level, drill pilot holes, and test each hook with the weight of the tool before you hang it for good.

7. Protect electric and power tools

Electric garden tools need a little more care. Electrical Safety First advises keeping electric garden tools in a dry, safe place such as a shed or garage, and switching off and unplugging them before you clean or check them.

When you use them outdoors, the same guidance says to use an RCD, keep equipment dry, and connect only with outdoor-rated, weather-resistant leads, cable reels and connectors. Coil leads loosely when you put them away and hang them on a hook rather than leaving them on the floor.

Hang battery and power tools where they are off the ground and out of reach of children and pets, so they can be lifted down and put back easily.

8. Outdoor toy storage ideas

Toys take up more room than tools, and they get wetter and muddier. The aim is a system a child can use without help, which keeps the garden tidy without daily effort.

Lidded tubs. Large plastic tubs with secure lids keep toys clean and dry. Storage specialists recommend making sure toys are dry before they go in, and labelling each tub so seasonal toys are easy to find again.

A shelving unit with trugs. Put labelled buckets or rubber trugs on an old shelving unit, with a solid top shelf to protect them from rain. Add hooks on the side for skipping ropes and hula hoops.

Hooks for long items. Goalposts, badminton poles, hoop stands and rackets can hang from ladder hooks or shed joists, which frees up floor space.

A storage bench. Perfect for balls, chalks, bubbles and small buckets on a patio. Keep the lid light enough for little hands, and check it cannot slam shut on fingers.

Four practical outdoor toy storage options

Keep toys safe as well as tidy

Storage is part of garden safety. Guidance for outdoor play areas says:

  • Use child-friendly labels and open boxes where children need to reach things themselves (Scottish outdoor learning guidance).
  • Make sure storage areas do not give easy access to roofs or boundary walls, and check stored play items for sharp edges, splinters, choking hazards, trapped fingers and damp.
  • In freezing weather, store detachable plastic parts of play equipment indoors, and shelter or secure toys in high winds, as manufacturer instructions for a wooden playhouse advise. The same instructions note that toys can become slippery when wet.

If children help in the garden, the Royal Horticultural Society’s school-garden guidance says tools should be stored safely when not in use, used only when instructed, and closely supervised, especially with spades and forks. It also suggests age-appropriate tools and a clearly marked tool-return point. At home, that can be as simple as a low hook rack with child-sized tools, kept apart from the adult rack. For more family-friendly ideas, see our guide to child-friendly garden ideas.

9. A simple seasonal routine

Storage only works if it stays tidy. Build in a few small habits:

  1. After each use: brush off soil, dry the blades and hang the tool back in its place.
  2. Monthly: check for loose hooks, damp patches and rust.
  3. Autumn: wash and dry toys before they go into tubs, and bring cushions and delicate items under cover. Our guide to protecting garden furniture in winter helps with the rest of the patio.
  4. Spring: unpack, check fastenings and wear, and refresh labels.

Good habits also help your outdoor furniture last. Our garden furniture care habits guide gives material-by-material tips, and the weatherproof garden furniture checks are worth a read before the cold arrives.

Our view on storage

At Great Gardens Online we think a garden is easier to enjoy when everything has a place. In our experience, the gardens that feel most relaxing are not the biggest ones. They are the ones where the tools are hung up, the toys are in a tub and the seating is clear.

That is why we focus on practical outdoor living products: sheds and structures for the heavy lifting, planters and decor to make the space feel finished, and furniture that you can enjoy rather than tidy around. We aim to make buying simple, with free delivery on orders over £70, next-day delivery options and easy returns within 14 days.

Start small. Hang one rack, label one tub, and see how much calmer the garden feels.

Peter

Find what you need for your garden

If your storage plan needs a shed, planters to tidy up a patio, or furniture that earns its space, browse the full range at Great Gardens Online. You will find garden furniture, structures, outdoor dining, planters and decor in one place, with free delivery on orders over £70 and returns within 14 days.

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For tidy patio dining, take a look at our outdoor dining range, and for finishing touches, our garden decor collection.

FAQ

What is the best way to store garden tools?

Clean them, dry them and keep them under cover, ideally in a shed or garage. Hang long-handled tools on a wall rack and keep hand tools on a shelf or in a tray. This keeps blades free of rust and handles free of rot.

How can I store garden tools in a small space?

Use the wall. A short rail with hooks, a narrow shelving unit or a storage bench can hold a full basic kit. A ladder leaned against a wall can also hold tools or plants on each rung.

How do I store outdoor toys so they stay dry?

Dry the toys first, then store them in lidded plastic tubs, or in labelled trugs on a shelving unit with a solid top shelf. Hang long items such as hoops and skipping ropes on hooks. Label everything so children can help tidy up.

Is it safe to leave garden tools in the shed?

Yes, as long as the shed is dry and tools are hung or stored neatly. Keep electric tools unplugged, keep sharp tools out of children’s reach, and check that nothing can fall when you open the door.

Should I hang or shelve my garden tools?

Do both. Hang spades, rakes, hoes and brooms because their length suits hooks, and use shelves or trays for trowels, hand forks and small items so they are easy to find.

Sources

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