5 Simple Tool Organizers for the Home Workshop

Are you tired of having your tools cluttered on your garage shelves?

These five creative DIY tool organizers and racks will transform your workspace. You can easily repurpose IKEA items to create custom storage that clears clutter and adds a touch of personal style to your workshop.

Whether you’re looking to upcycle unused frames into pegboards or craft a simple wall-mounted tool rack, these DIY tool storage ideas ensure your tools are stored smartly and even discreetly.

Power Tool Organizer Rack

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and stylish way to organize your tools, Joe’s IKEA hack is for you.

He says, “The idea came when I saw the many power tools sitting on my garage shelves in a mess. I found that tool organizers were pretty expensive. I bought this GRUNDTAL rack seven years ago and never put it up in my kitchen. And one day, this idea clicked.” 

Using the IKEA GRUNDTAL Stainless Steel Rack and some simple materials, he created a custom power tool organizer that saves space and adds a sleek touch to his workspace. Here’s how to do it:

Materials and Tools Needed:

IKEA GRUNDTAL Stainless Steel Rack (IKEA discontinued the GRUNDTAL in some markets; the BROGRUND wall shelf with towel rail is similar, with fewer bars. It may still work with this hack, but you’ll need to check whether the bars fit the power tools.)

GRUNDTAL Hooks

Drill

Screws and wall anchors (if needed)

Bungee cord

How to make a power tool organizer rack

Step 1: Assemble the Rack

Start by assembling the GRUNDTAL rack according to the IKEA instructions. However, you’ll want to make a slight modification. When you reach the step where you’re supposed to insert all the bars, leave out one of the bars. In this case, leave out the third bar from the end.

Step 2: Add a Bungee Cord

Instead of the bar you left out, stretch a bungee cord across the gap. The cord will provide additional security for your power tools and prevent them from swinging out. Make sure the bungee cord is tightly secured and can hold the weight of the tools you plan to hang.

Step 3: Mount the Rack

Choose a location on your garage wall to mount the rack. It’s best to mount the rack to wall studs for maximum stability, especially since you’ll hang heavy power tools. Use a drill to make holes and insert screws to secure the rack to the wall. If you’re not drilling into studs, use appropriate wall anchors to support the weight.

Step 4: Hang Your Power Tools

Once the rack is securely mounted, you can start hanging your power tools. The GRUNDTAL rack’s design makes it perfect for hanging tools with a handle or a loop. Arrange your tools to balance the weight across the rack; the tools you use most are within easy reach. Joe’s Ryobi power tools hang from the rack nicely with this layout.

Step 5: Use GRUNDTAL Hooks

To make the most of your new tool organizer, add GRUNDTAL hooks to the rack. These hooks are great for holding smaller items like cords and cases for drill bits.

Stylish DIY Pegboard Tool Organizer Using IKEA Ribba Frame

This simple DIY hack transforms an IKEA RIBBA frame into a chic, functional pegboard tool organizer. Perfect for craft rooms, workshops, or garages, this organizer will help you keep your tools neatly displayed and easily accessible.

Missamdabo found an IKEA RIBBA frame with a missing glass panel from the as-is section, which was perfect for this DIY project.

Materials and Tools Needed:

IKEA RIBBA Frame (missing glass, purchased from the as-is section)

Pegboard (cut to fit inside the Ribba frame)

Matte board (optional, for aesthetic purposes)

Pencil or marker

Saw or cutting tool (for cutting the pegboard)

Drill

Screws

1 x 2 MDF board (cut to the width of the frame)

Pegboard hooks

Here’s how to create your own stylish tool display:

Step 1: Prepare the Ribba Frame

Start with an IKEA RIBBA frame. Remove any existing picture and clean the frame.

Step 2: Cut the Pegboard to Size

Take the backing board that came with the RIBBA frame and use it as a template to trace the correct size on the pegboard. Carefully cut the pegboard along the traced lines to ensure it will fit snugly within the frame.

Step 3: Assemble the Frame

Place the matte board into the frame first if you want to create a border around your tools. Omit if you will use the full pegboard or have more tools to display. Then, insert the cut pegboard into the frame. Use the existing tabs on the back of the frame to secure the pegboard.

Step 4: Mount the MDF Board to the Wall

Measure and cut a piece of 1 x 2 MDF board to match the width of your RIBBA frame. Secure this board to your wall where you want to hang your tool organizer. Make sure to screw the MDF board into wall studs or use appropriate wall anchors for a secure hold.

Step 5: Hang the Frame

Lift the RIBBA frame and hang it on the mounted MDF board. To ensure it doesn’t move, drill through the top of the frame and into the MDF board. This step locks the frame in place and prevents it from shifting when you hang or remove tools.

Step 6: Add Hooks and Hang Your Tools

Insert pegboard hooks into the pegboard. You can arrange them in a pattern that suits the size and shape of your tools. 

Other customization ideas

If you have many tools, create an organizer for each type of tool. Group similar items together to make it easier to find what you need. For instance, you can hang all screwdrivers in one organizer and pliers in another.

If you have tools with no holes for hanging, you may need to use additional accessories like baskets or clips compatible with pegboard systems.

Consider painting the pegboard or frame to match your room’s decor or to add a pop of color.

You might consider outlining each tool and coloring in behind them—especially if you are going to hang a couple of these together; it could add some color, make it look like a modern art piece, and make it easy to see at a glance which tools have gone wandering and where they need to be rehung.

The same DIY hack can be used for office supplies: scissors, stapler, hole punch, and sticky tape that are often used by all in the family.

DIY Wall-Mounted Tool Rack Using IKEA RIBBA and BYGEL

Christian made this simple yet effective wall-mounted tool rack from an affordable IKEA picture ledge and rail to organize his hand tools. Follow these steps to DIY your own tool rack that’s suited for screwdrivers, rasps, and more.

Materials:

IKEA Picture Ledge like MOSSLANDA or the old RIBBA (55cm or larger)

IKEA Kitchen Rails like HULTARP or KUNGSFORS (55cm or larger)

IKEA S-hooks

Drill

Drill bit (suitable for the size of your screwdrivers)

Screws and wall anchors (if needed)

Pencil or marker

Level

Tape measure

Easy DIY Tool Organizer Rack

Step 1: Prepare the IKEA Picture Ledge

Begin by deciding how many holes you want to drill into the picture ledge for your screwdrivers. Lay out your screwdrivers on the ledge to determine the best spacing. Use a pencil or marker to mark the spots where you will drill holes.

Use a drill and a drill bit slightly larger than your screwdriver shank’s diameter. Then, carefully drill holes into the picture ledge at the marked spots.

Step 2: Mount the IKEA Picture Ledge:

Choose the location on your wall where you want to mount the tool rack. Use a level to ensure the IKEA Picture Ledge will be straight.

Once you’re happy with the position, mark the screw holes on the wall. If you’re mounting into drywall and can’t align with studs, make sure to use appropriate wall anchors for a secure hold. Screw the picture ledge into the wall, ensuring it’s firmly attached.

Insert your screwdrivers into the holes you’ve drilled in the picture ledge. The ledge will hold the screwdrivers upright, making it easy to spot the one you need and grab it quickly.

Step 3: Mount the Kitchen Rail:

Next to the picture ledge, place an IKEA rail like the HULTARP or KUNGSFOR. Use the level to ensure the rail will be straight, then mark the screw holes on the wall. Drill holes, insert wall anchors if necessary, and screw the rail into place.

Hang your rasps, pliers, clamps, and other tools with suitable handles onto the S-hooks.

Closet Tool Shed Hack

Doug creatively carved out a small toolshed in his closet. It has a dropdown table and magnetic knife holder to hold his collection of tools, and it works great in his small apartment.

Sneaky tool cabinet that takes up no space

Like many with limited space to live and work, Liz needed to come up with creative ideas for storing things in a way that was also easy to access. Here’s how she hid a tool cabinet right next to her office storage.

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