We recently added several DIY organization solutions to our new shed — all completed in a single weekend. Below we’ll walk through the storage systems we installed and some favorite ideas we’ve used in other workshops. This post covers:
- Installing a pegboard
- Building heavy-duty shed shelves
- Creating a scrap wood organizer
- Organizing nails, screws, and other small fasteners
- Storing DIY project supplies
- Hanging garden tools
- Adding a workbench
Planning Your Shed Organization
Organizing a shed can feel daunting when you need it to serve multiple purposes. Even though our shed is fairly large (12×16′), we planned carefully and decided which walls should handle which functions. We started by listing:
- The main functions the shed needed to serve (primarily a workspace)
- The problems we wanted to solve (mainly overflowing tools and supplies in the garage)
That list helped us prioritize which storage systems to build first. Anything that didn’t fit in the shed could remain in the garage for now. Here’s what we added.
#1: A Collapsible Workbench
Our top priority was a work surface for DIY projects. To keep sawdust out of the garage and have a flexible workspace, we bought a collapsible workbench from a big-box store. We chose a model that folds for easy storage and mobility and includes a lower shelf for extra storage and stability.
I like being able to move or stow the bench when we need more floor space, and the lower shelf helps keep project pieces and tools organized while working.
#2: Clear Storage Bins
For project supplies I used clear 12-gallon storage bins. While colored bins can look tidier, clear bins make it quick to identify contents without pulling them out or relying on labels.
We sorted bins by project type — tiling supplies in one, plumbing and irrigation in another, painting supplies in a third. Bins make it easy to grab everything you need for a specific job and carry it to the workbench.
#3: Pegboard For Small Tools
Pegboard is one of my favorite ways to organize hand tools like hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. It’s visually clear and highly functional. We mounted three 2×4′ pegboard panels to exposed studs using screws and washers, then hung tools on pegboard hooks.
We also used the area above the pegboards for items that don’t hang well, such as sanding blocks and tubs of wood filler. Pegboards make it obvious when a tool is missing and encourage keeping everything in its place.
Some people outline or label outlines for each tool, but a quick photo on your phone works just as well to remember where everything goes.
#4: Paint & Frame Your Pegboard
If you want a more finished look, paint the pegboard and add a simple frame. We once painted ours a deep navy and trimmed the edges with window molding to make it feel custom. Framing and paint are easy ways to elevate a functional wall into a focal point.
We also repurposed one pegboard into a decorative photo display — a simple change that added personality to the workspace.
#5: Scrap Wood Organizer
Scrap wood cluttered our garage, so building a storage system in the shed was essential. After bringing all the scraps into the shed to assess quantities, we built a simple organizer using mostly scrap lumber and a few new 2×4s for stability.
Rather than elaborate spinning or folding systems, we built vertical compartments for long boards, a lower cubby for small panels, and a flexible end section for larger sheets. It’s practical, space-efficient, and mostly made from repurposed materials.
It’s not the fanciest solution, but it works really well for keeping lumber tidy and accessible.
#6: Heavy Duty Shelves
We built heavy-duty shelving capable of supporting large tools and heavy bins. The shelves are simple to construct with 2×4s and plywood and can be adapted to fit any space. These sturdy shelves are one of the most useful additions to the shed.
They work well in garages, basements, and sheds, and we’ve used the same approach in multiple locations with great results.
#7: Large Hanging Bike Hooks
To maximize the front of our shelving, we installed large rubber hooks (often called bike hooks). These are perfect for hanging bulky items — beach chairs, umbrellas, ladders, and even power equipment.
We used hooks on the shelving fronts for beach gear and installed more on a separate wall for lawn equipment like the leaf blower and string trimmer.
#8: Screws / Nails For Hanging
You don’t always need specialized hooks — a simple screw or nail driven into a stud works for many items. In another shed we used single screws to hang rakes, clippers, and other yard tools. It’s inexpensive and often the fastest solution.
It can take a little trial and error to find the best arrangement, but simple hardware often does the job just fine.
#9: Mason Jar Small Part Storage
For small fasteners, mason jars are a classic and practical option. We used mason jars in a previous workshop, spray-painted some lids, and added labels to make it easy to find nails, screws, and other small parts.
Jars are especially convenient when you already have a shelf at the perfect height for display and access.
#10: Wall-Mounted Small Part Shelving
In the new shed we opted for modern plastic small-part organizers. I bought a few inexpensive styles — slide-out, tip-out, and portable — and used the hanging models on the studs. Clear compartments at eye level make it easy to spot the right screw or bolt without opening every drawer.
The removable gray bins are helpful because you can take a single compartment to the workbench, which makes small jobs faster and less messy.
Want More Shed Storage Ideas?
If you want more organizing inspiration, explore how we organized other spaces such as our beach house shed, our old garage, and our former basement workshop for additional ideas and layouts.
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