If your tools are leaning in a corner of the garage—or worse, getting rained on out back—you’re not alone. These backyard tool storage ideas are simple, effective, and actually work.
Here are 7 real-world tool storage ideas that work in almost any backyard, plus the gear you’ll need to build or buy them.
1. 🏠 Resin Storage Sheds (Fast + Weatherproof)
If you want something you can build in a few hours that lasts for years, resin sheds are your best friend. No rust, no rot, no problem.
🔧 What works:
- Weatherproof, low-maintenance
- Lockable doors
- Easy to anchor to pavers or a pad
🛒 Our Picks:
🔗 Related: See all sheds in our Spring Tools post →
2. 🧱 DIY Wall-Mounted Tool Racks
Got a fence, a shed wall, or the side of your garage? Add a strip of hooks or slotted racks and you’ve instantly got grab-and-go tool access.
🔧 What works:
- Adjustable hook systems
- Works in sheds, garages, or outdoor walls
- Great for rakes, shovels, hoses, and string trimmers
🛒 Our Picks:
3. 🪑 Benches That Double as Storage
Backyard storage benches are criminally underrated. They hold gear, hide clutter, and give you a place to sit when you’re done working.
🔧 What works:
- Weather-resistant resin or composite
- Lockable lids
- Holds garden gear, gloves, small tools
🛒 Our Picks:
4. 🧰 Rolling Carts or Garden Scooters
If you’re working all over the yard, a rolling cart is more helpful than you’d think. No more walking back to the shed 12 times.
🔧 What works:
- Built-in seat + storage
- Cup holder = bonus
- Great for gardening, mulching, edging
🛒 Our Picks:
5. 📦 Stackable Storage Bins (Weatherproof)
Got limited space? Use a corner and go vertical. Locking, stackable bins keep hand tools and supplies dry without needing a full shed.
🔧 What works:
- Use weatherproof bins with rubber gaskets
- Label each bin by task (paint, plumbing, gardening)
- Stack inside a small closet or open-air storage rack
🛒 Our Picks:
6. 🛞 Trash Can Sheds or Slim Enclosures
If you’re working with a small yard or side alley, a slim vertical enclosure (like a trash can shed) makes a perfect compact tool closet.
🔧 What works:
- Holds long tools upright
- Often includes shelving
- Great for renters or small yards
🛒 Our Picks:
✅ Final Take
You don’t need a full-blown garage to keep your tools clean and ready to roll. From DIY wall racks to all-in-one sheds, these backyard tool storage ideas actually work—because we’ve tried them.
Start with one, reclaim your weekend workflow, and ditch the junk pile.