Garage Organization -- pegboard and other ideas

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
1
76
How do you guys and gals organize your garages? I am looking for some inspiration. Most of our tools and such have always remained in boxes due to moving rental to rental every couple years. With our own garage I would like to make things more accessible and organized.

I don't have a lot of tools--mainly wrenches, sockets, screw driver sets, drill bit set, cordless drill, and reciprocating saw + yard tools. I am slowly adding stuff though as I work on the house--a circular saw will be purchased in the next couple months as well as a wheelbarrow.

The garage is a 2 car single door and has a work bench opposite the entry. We currently have 3 plastic storage shelves and a small cabinet.

For my tools and misc I am thinking of getting some pegboard and hooks like these.

For our lawn tools (rakes, shovels, picks, brooms, trimmer) and I am thinking of one of these Rubbermaid organizers. I will be adding a pole trimmer attachment, hoes, and some other gardening tools down the road so this seems like an organized, compact way to fit a dozen or so tools (no way 40 fits on there unless your only tool is poles!) The thought just grossed my mind to make my own stand for 25% the price.

I don't have a TV (so no homeimprovement channel inspiration for me) and almost everyone I know either has a disaster zone garage or is empty. I want to break that trend with something organized, compact, and affordable.
 

shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,782
45
91
Everyone should have a pegboard in their garage, as for that tool organizer some screws and hooks on the wall would work just as well and it would free up floor space.
If you need more storage i suggest building some shelves near the ceiling, get some 4x8 plywood, cut it into 2x8 and use some 2x4's to frame them.

VEd5kRR.jpg
 

MustISO

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,927
12
81
I used to have several of those heavy duty 5 shelf plastic units. I've completely done away with those and have wall mounted shelves now so there's nothing on the floor. If I had the money I'd get one of those wall systems with the cabinets that hang on the slatted wall boards but I just got a bunch of these:
http://www.amazon.com/HyLoft-967--15-Inch-Shelf-2-Pack/dp/B000EPYBXS

Still have a work bench/table for tool boxes but I would like to get something else that maybe pulls out from the wall or is mounted on the wall for that stuff.
 

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
For my daughter; I have 1/2 rear wall with a pegboard.

Along the both sides there are rails that hooks can slide into.
On those hooks are rakes, ladder, hoses. electric extension cords (25 & 50'), small yard equipment (leaf lower when in season) and ski equipment
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
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www.slatebrookfarm.com
I used to like the peg board idea for tools, but later realized that it was more for looks than for utility purposes (as far as tools go). So, I've started sorting my tools differently - I get those contractor "duffle bags" or whatever you want to call them. I keep my corded drills in one, along with all the sets of drill bit, etc. (and a relatively cheap tape measure). One bag is for common hand tools - screw drivers, hammer, that sort of stuff, and a relatively cheap tape measure. Another bag for circular saw, jig saw, reciprocating saw (and another tape measure) along with all their blades. 1 bag for all my pneumatic nailers. One bag for my other pneumatic tools. One box of miscellaneous sockets and socket wrenches that I don't care if they're abused, and one box of a nicer set of sockets and socket wrenches. Etc. I like just being able to grab a bag or two and go. In the work area, it provides storage for the tools and extra pieces; and when finishing up, I just carry the bags back - no need for hanging them on peg board. The long hooks like on peg board are nice for stuff like extension cords, tools that really don't belong to a set of tools, etc.
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,726
6,149
136
I put 18" wide all the way around the perimeter, except for about 8' on one side for a work bench and roll away tool box. I also put in 16' of 6' high x 2' wide steel industrial racks 36" from the shelves on one side. I still need more storage space, larger tools are ending up on the floor again.
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
/Peg board and rolling tool box.

Yep. Hand tools go in the rolling tool box(es). Some items like saws, crowbars, etc, can hang on pegboard. Many electrical tools can also hang on pegboard with a simple metal loop attached to the tool. It can be wire or a carabiner or something similar.
 

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
1
76
I hadn't looked at tool boxes/chests as we aren't completely sure of how we are going to organize + they tend to be expensive. But saw one for $99 that looked serviceable. In my mind I like the direction of the pegboard/tool box to go along with a couple shelves and the shop work desk. One of the reviewers of that box posted this

photo.jpg


@ Shabby--THANK YOU for the pictures of your off-the-floor storage. Excellent idea. I showed me wife and liked it and thought I could probably do it without hurting myself :( hahaha
 

Jeraden

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,518
1
76
I've been meaning to do a french cleat system out of plywood for wall storage for a couple years now. Maybe this summer will be the year when I finally get around to doing it.
 

thestrangebrew1

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2011
3,835
595
126
Everyone should have a pegboard in their garage, as for that tool organizer some screws and hooks on the wall would work just as well and it would free up floor space.
If you need more storage i suggest building some shelves near the ceiling, get some 4x8 plywood, cut it into 2x8 and use some 2x4's to frame them.

VEd5kRR.jpg

How would you accomplish this if your garage already has the sheetrock installed? I suck at DIY but I like this idea. So far, I have 3 heavy duty aluminum shelves on one side, so half my garage looks "organized" but the other half is still a cluster.
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
1x1 standoffs, them mount the pegboard to that. Thats how it was done in my garage and works well.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
How would you accomplish this if your garage already has the sheetrock installed? I suck at DIY but I like this idea. So far, I have 3 heavy duty aluminum shelves on one side, so half my garage looks "organized" but the other half is still a cluster.
http://www.google.com/search?q=garage+ceiling+shelves

You can buy metal versions that screw into the studs.
Or, if you wanted 2x4 shelving, there are multiple ways to secure it to the studs behind the drywall using brackets or anchors.

Everyone should be aware that ceiling rafters are not designed to carry extra loads.
Attaching multiple shelves from the ceiling and loading them up with heavy objects can cave your roof in.
Generally, if you attach them around the perimeter and only store household goods, you will be alright.
 
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LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Costco has Edsal (or Whalen) "industrial" rack shelves for ~139 for 6'x6'x18" (IIRC) with 4 shelves each. If you get two you can use 3 shelves on each unit and use two shelves to bridge the units so you get 3 total shelves for ~18' of storage. I did that in my garage and storage room, works really well.

I am finishing the tape/mud job on my garage this spring, painting it, then putting up a bunch of Gladiator stuff I bought over the last 2 years on sale/clearance.
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,726
6,149
136
Everyone should have a pegboard in their garage, as for that tool organizer some screws and hooks on the wall would work just as well and it would free up floor space.
If you need more storage i suggest building some shelves near the ceiling, get some 4x8 plywood, cut it into 2x8 and use some 2x4's to frame them.

VEd5kRR.jpg

I kept seeing that as 3 curved sections, and couldn't figure out why it was built that way. Lot to be said for clicking the "view full size image" button.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
http://www.google.com/search?q=garage+ceiling+shelves

You can buy metal versions that screw into the studs.
Or, if you wanted 2x4 shelving, there are multiple ways to secure it to the studs behind the drywall using brackets or anchors.

Everyone should be aware that ceiling rafters are not designed to carry extra loads.
Attaching multiple shelves from the ceiling and loading them up with heavy objects can cave your roof in.
Generally, if you attach them around the perimeter and only store household goods, you will be alright.

What about doing something where you have those shelves attached to the wall using 2x4s on the bottom then having some bracing going down to the wall itself from the outside of the shelf and then having it go up to the ceiling as extra support?

It looks like he has his screwed in to the studs, so I can't see that there would be too much weight on the rafters.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
What about doing something where you have those shelves attached to the wall using 2x4s on the bottom then having some bracing going down to the wall itself from the outside of the shelf and then having it go up to the ceiling as extra support?

It looks like he has his screwed in to the studs, so I can't see that there would be too much weight on the rafters.
Yeah, attaching to the wall cuts the load in half, so that is much better.

An extreme and common example are people who attach engine hoists to garage rafters. It's happened many times.
 

garndawg

Member
Feb 29, 2008
88
1
71
OP, my best advice is similar to MustISO's above: minimize your free-standing shelves. Keep as much as you can off the floor. Spiders, dust and all manner of crap accumulates under these things, so unless it's on casters, you're constantly fighting a battle to keep your shop clean.

My current setup for handtools is a Craftsman rolling tool chest with top box. If I had to do it over, however, I'd buy that big one from Harbor Freight when they put it on sale next. That HF one is just as good as the Sears, but half the price. FYI, HF has some good stuff, if you're educated before you buy. I'll keep my Craftsman, tho, as it's got 30+ years of professional "I was there" stickers all over it.

For everything else, I've got them in plastic bins, toolbags, and toolboxes on ClosetMaid shelves. For the extra heavy items (Jeep wrangler doors, Workmate 425, etc) I've got them on dedicated heavy duty hooks screwed directly into the studs. I do have a small section of pegboard over my work area, but it's pretty small and only used for those things I'm always reaching for.

The ClosetMaid system is The Bomb! I buy the heavy duty hang and shelf tracks, 18" brackets and wire shelves. It's the same stuff as in your closet, just much heavier duty. Lag bolt the hang rack to stud, drop a shelf track down each stud w/ 2" wood screws reinforcing, then just slot and hang the shelving to fit your height requirements. Here are the components, but you can find most of this on Craigslist, too.

Hang Track (goes on top):
http://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-Ma...1427725411&sr=1-88&keywords=closetmaid+garage

Shelf Tracks (drop one down each stud):
http://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-Ma...1427725411&sr=1-87&keywords=closetmaid+garage

Shelf brackets:
http://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-28...725948&sr=8-23&keywords=closetmaid+wire+shelf

Shelves (you can also use MDF or plywood for solid shelves):
http://www.amazon.com/ClosetMaid-Cl...725948&sr=8-29&keywords=closetmaid+wire+shelf

I'm not a fan of the specialty kits from Gladiator and whatnot. Expensive and not really multipurpose. Also, check Family Handyman's website for organization ideas. Some are involved, but some are 'slap your forehead' solutions (like Jereden's French Cleat system).

Also, foot stomp on hanging stuff from the ceiling. Minimize this, lightweight and high bulks items like christmas decorations (BUT NOT THE TREE!!!), as it doesn't take much to borrow _lots_ of trouble.
 

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
I love these Rubbermaid FastTrack rails for hanging things like brooms, shovels, rakes, etc. You can really go nuts, though, and hang shelves, cabinets, bikes, and a ton of other stuff from them.

6a00e55066b95e883301157135385f970c-pi.jpg
 
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richardycc

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
5,719
1
81
Gladiator Gearwall panels, they are normally very expensive, but Sears have them on sale every once in a while. They had them at 1/2 off and buy 1 get 1 free on top of the 1/2 off deal last yr, so I was able to get 4 sets to cover 3ftx8fft wall for around $110 and still have 2 pieces leftover.