We’ve all been told to make a place for everything and put everything in its place. My dad was always big win this, and it’s sound advice, really. After all, how can you put something away if you don’t know where “away” is? And the older we get, the more things our shops manage to accumulate.
Thankfully we live in a time when smart solutions exist to keep all our things properly sorted. Or as George Carlin might say, “More stuff to help store our stuff.” With a little bit of forethought and the discipline to put things where you’ve assigned them, you can make your shop work harder for you. Here are some of my favorite ways to keep a garage or workshop organized and uncluttered.
Tool drawer organizers
An organized tool cabinet is a must-have for a serious workshop. But how you store and arrange your tools within each drawer also matters. Sockets and wrenches are the biggest challenge, especially if you have both metric and standard tools to contend with. Many tools come with their own holders, but they don’t last long once you start using them
Instead, choose drawer organizers for your entire tool set, which might include mixed sets. Label your wrench trays for quick access. For sockets, we prefer the modular storage trays that are organized by attachment size (1/4”, 3/8” or 1/2”). These can be arranged to suit your specific assortment, and you can add a couple extra slots for multiple 10mm pieces.
Air tool storage rack
I hate rummaging through a pile of air tools in a deep drawer just to find the one tool I need. The great thing about air tools is they all use the same air chuck attachment. That’s why a wall-mounted pneumatic tool rack makes so much sense. The tools all hang from their chucks making it easy to spot the right one at a glance.
Parts and hardware storage trays
My dad ’s woodworking shop is set up with drawers full of dowels and biscuit wafers for joinery. Rows of clear plastic jars filled with screws and nails hang from high shelves, attached by their permanently mounted lids. It works for his materials and process, but as a car hobbies my needs are different.
Having worked in professional shops, I came to appreciate tech trays, the compact, stackable storage trays for small parts and hardware. They’re essentially at-home versions of the merchandising trays you see at the hardware store. I have a couple that I use just for electrical terminals, relays, fuses, and other components. I also keep another set for storing original hardware I’ve taken off during disassembly on restoration projects.
If you buy multiples from a single company, they’re often modular and stackable, letting you maximize your space. Each individual slot can also be clearly marked with tape or a label maker for convenient sorting.
Wheel racks and carts
If you have multiple sets of wheels and tires for your cars, you know how much room they take up. For seasonal wheels that only get rotated a couple times a year, I like a wall-mounted storage rack. This keeps the off-season set out the way entirely, especially if the rack is mounted high.
For wheels that might see more frequent changeovers – maybe a set of track day or autocross tires – a tree-style tire cart makes sense. This keeps them off the ground to prevent damage and allows them to remain mobile. If they get in the way, just roll them somewhere else.
Body parts cart
I’m knee-deep in a full restoration right now, and the amount of take-off parts is a bit overwhelming. The only way I’ve been able to keep everything organized and mobile is with a pair of body parts carts. I’ve modified each of these slightly to accommodate loose panels as well as stacking storage bins. These have been a lifesaver for my big project.
Specialized container storage
Sometimes you need to look outside the garage for inspiration to organize inside the garage. Race car trailers must work as compact, rolling workshops, storing maximum materials in minimal space. Some of the specialized storage solutions for paints and other aerosol cans work just as well in your permanent workshop. These solutions tend to be lightweight and very compact – perfect for smaller garages.
