Shovel and Rake Storage Rack: The Best Ways to Store Long-Handled Tools

The best way to store shovels and rakes is off the floor on a wall-mounted rack that holds the handles vertically or at a slight angle. Leaning them against the wall seems fine until someone bumps them, they crash into each other, handles crack, and metal heads end up lying across the garage floor where they become a trip hazard. A dedicated long-handle tool rack solves all of that for under $30 in most cases.

This guide covers the main rack types, what to look for in each, how to mount them properly, and how to organize your tool collection so you can actually find what you need. I'll also go over a few DIY options if you'd rather build something custom for your space.

Why Proper Storage for Long-Handled Tools Matters

Shovels, rakes, hoes, brooms, and pitchforks are awkward to store. They're 4 to 6 feet long, they don't stack or nest, and the heads are fragile in different ways: metal tines bend, wood handles split when they hit concrete, and rubber grips deteriorate when left in puddles.

Leaning tools against a wall in a cluster is the default, and it's the worst option. The tools slide, knock each other over, and you end up pulling out five tools to get to the one you want at the back. Metal heads resting on concrete floors pit and rust faster than heads stored off the ground.

A wall rack stores tools in a line you can see at a glance, protects the heads and handles, and keeps the floor clear for vehicles and foot traffic.

Types of Shovel and Rake Storage Racks

Wall-Mounted Horizontal Bar Racks

These are the most common type. A horizontal bar (usually steel) mounts to the wall, and individual tool slots or clips along the bar hold each tool. Most designs have two rows of clips: one near the top that holds the handle, and one lower that cradles the head.

Capacity ranges from 5 tools up to 20 on wider models. The Suncast Wall-Mounted Tool Organizer, for example, holds up to 25 tools on a 60-inch wide rack. Price range is $20 to $60 depending on width and material.

These work well if you have a section of wall at least 5 feet wide with clear access. The disadvantage is fixed slot spacing, so some awkwardly sized tool heads (wide rakes, wide snow shovels) can be difficult to seat in standard clips.

Vertical Slot or Tube Racks

Some racks hold tools completely vertically in individual tubes or slots, like golf bags. The tool drops in handle-first and is supported at the head. This works well for small collections (5 to 10 tools) and takes less wall space horizontally.

The downside: you have to lift the tool completely out to access it, and if the slot is designed for a specific handle diameter (usually 1 to 1.5 inches), tools with odd-shaped handles won't fit.

Freestanding Floor Racks

Not wall-mounted, just a frame that stands on its own with slots or tubes for handles. Easy to move around, no drilling required. The tradeoff is stability: a freestanding rack with 10 long tools in it can tip if bumped. Good for renters who can't drill walls, or for a temporary setup.

DIY Wood Racks

A 2x6 board mounted horizontally on the wall with PVC pipe sections as tool holders costs about $10 to $15 in materials and takes an afternoon to build. Cut 6-inch sections of 2-inch PVC, angle them slightly downward, and screw them through the 2x6 into studs. Each section holds one tool. This gives you complete control over spacing and is nearly indestructible.

Another version uses a 2x4 with a row of equally spaced screws or hooks sticking out 3 to 4 inches. Tools hang on the screws by their heads. Simple and effective for D-ring handles on brooms and rakes.

What to Look for in a Tool Rack

Clip or slot design: Spring-loaded clips are more flexible than fixed slots, since they can accommodate different handle diameters (3/4-inch broom handle vs. 1.5-inch shovel handle). Look for clips made of polypropylene or nylon, not cheap ABS that cracks in cold weather.

Weight capacity per slot: Most residential racks are designed for tools under 15 pounds per slot. A long-handled maul or heavy post-hole digger is different from a leaf rake. Check ratings if you're hanging heavy tools.

Mounting hardware: Cheap racks come with drywall anchors that aren't adequate for the weight of loaded tools. Upgrade to 3-inch wood screws into studs, or masonry anchors if you're mounting on concrete block.

Width: Measure the wall section you're working with before buying. A 60-inch rack on a 48-inch wall doesn't work. Standard sizes run 24, 36, 48, and 60 inches.

Our Best Garage Rack System roundup covers the top options across wall-mounted and freestanding designs with actual weight capacity specs.

How to Mount a Shovel Rack on Garage Walls

On Drywall Over Wood Studs

Locate studs (every 16 inches typically) using a stud finder or by probing. Mount the rack with at least two screws into studs. 3-inch #10 wood screws are appropriate for most racks. If stud spacing doesn't align with the rack's mounting holes, use a wood ledger board mounted into studs first, then attach the rack to the ledger.

On Concrete Block or Poured Concrete

You need masonry anchors. Tapcon screws are the easiest solution: drill a pilot hole with a hammer drill and masonry bit, then drive the Tapcon directly. 1/4-inch diameter Tapcons in 2.75-inch length work for most racks into solid block. Avoid hollow-wall anchors in concrete, they're for drywall and won't hold.

Height Considerations

Mount the upper clip or bar at about shoulder height so the tool head hangs near the ground. The goal is for tools to be fully off the floor but low enough that you can lift them out easily without reaching overhead. For most people, that means the upper mounting point is 5 to 5.5 feet from the floor.

If you're mounting above a workbench or near a doorway, adjust accordingly so tools don't swing into the workspace or door clearance zone.

Organizing Your Tool Collection

With the rack mounted, put the most-used tools in the most accessible positions: center of the rack, at comfortable reach height.

Tools you use weekly (broom, leaf rake) go in the easiest spots. Tools you use seasonally (snow shovel, leaf blower attachment, soil aerator) go at the ends or on a secondary rack higher up.

Group by function. Garden tools together, cleaning tools together, snow tools together. When spring cleanup starts, you know exactly where to look.

If you have a very large collection of long-handle tools, consider two racks on adjacent walls rather than one overcrowded rack where tools overlap and get tangled.

For shoes and smaller gear at the garage entrance, our Best Shoe Rack for Garage article covers compact options that don't eat into your tool storage wall.

DIY Shovel and Rake Rack: Step by Step

Here's a basic wall-mounted wood rack you can build in an afternoon:

Materials: Two 8-foot 2x4s, one 8-foot 2x6 (or 1x6), 1.5-inch PVC pipe, 3-inch wood screws, pipe strap brackets or PVC glue.

Steps: 1. Mount the 2x6 horizontally at shoulder height into studs. This is your main rail. 2. Cut PVC pipe into 8 to 10-inch sections. 3. Angle each section about 15 degrees downward from the 2x6. 4. Attach PVC sections with pipe strap brackets and screws every 8 inches along the 2x6. 5. Drop tools in handle-first.

Total cost: under $20 for 10 to 12 tool slots. The angled PVC keeps tools from falling out when bumped.

FAQ

Can I use a shovel rack outdoors? Metal racks exposed to weather will rust unless they're galvanized or powder-coated. Even then, moisture in the paint/coat joints leads to corrosion over time. Wood racks need exterior-grade lumber and weather-resistant fasteners. For outdoor storage, a covered area under an eave is much better than fully exposed to rain.

How far apart should shovel slots be? 8 to 10 inches per slot is standard and works for most long-handled tools. Wider tools like wide-mouth shovels or leaf blowers need 12 to 14 inches. Don't crowd tools; heads shouldn't touch or they'll damage each other.

Will spring clips work with thick shovel handles? Most standard spring clips accommodate 3/4-inch to 1.5-inch diameter handles. Measure your thickest tool handle before buying. D-handle shovels (with the closed D at the top) can sometimes slip out of clips designed for straight handles, so look for clips with a locking tab if you have D-handle tools.

What if I only have 24 inches of wall space? A 24-inch wide rack typically holds 5 to 7 tools. For a larger collection in limited space, go vertical: mount a rack higher and use a step stool to access seasonal tools. Or install two narrow racks on adjacent walls.

The Short Version

A dedicated shovel and rake storage rack isn't a luxury item. A decent wall-mounted rack for under $30 eliminates the domino pile of leaning tools, protects handles and heads from concrete floor contact, and gets your garage floor back. Mount it into studs or masonry, set it at a comfortable height, and put the tools you use most in the most accessible spots. If your wall space is limited or awkward, the PVC pipe DIY version is easy and costs almost nothing.