Storage for Shovels and Rakes: The Best Ways to Keep Long-Handled Tools Out of the Way

The best storage for shovels and rakes is a wall-mounted tool organizer that holds the handles vertically, keeps the heads off the floor, and puts everything within arm's reach when you need it. Whether that's a simple hooks-on-pegboard setup, a dedicated tool rack, or a full shed wall organizer depends on how many tools you have and how much wall space you're working with.

Long-handled tools are awkward to store because they're tall, oddly shaped, and heavy enough to fall over when propped in a corner. Getting them off the floor onto a wall solves all three problems at once. Here's how to figure out what works for your specific situation.

Why Propping Tools in a Corner Is a Bad Idea

Almost everyone starts here. You lean the shovels and rakes against the garage wall, they promptly fall over and create a mess, and you spend time untangling handles every time you need the right tool.

The problem isn't laziness. Long-handled tools have an inherently bad center of gravity. The head is heavy, the handle is long, and without a mounting point there's no stable position. A slight vibration from the garage door opening is enough to start a domino effect.

Beyond the annoyance, tools left on the floor collect moisture underneath them. Wood handles rot faster when they're in contact with concrete, and metal heads rust when they sit in pooled water. Vertical wall storage genuinely extends the life of the tools.

Wall-Mounted Tool Racks: The Main Option

Wall-mounted racks are the most practical solution for most people. They hold tools vertically, take up almost no floor space, and cost between $20 and $80 depending on capacity and build quality.

Spring-Clamp Style Racks

These are the most common type, sold at every hardware store. A horizontal bar with spring-loaded clips holds the tool handle. You push the handle into the clip and it grabs it. Pull it out when you need it. These work well for handles up to about 1.5 inches in diameter, which covers most shovels, rakes, and brooms.

The downside is that cheap versions have weak springs that lose their grip after a year of use. Go for heavy-gauge metal clips rather than plastic, and look for clips rated for at least 2 to 3 pounds each. A good example is something like a steel wall organizer rated for 6 to 8 tools with all-metal construction.

Pegboard with Hooks

Pegboard is versatile and relatively cheap. A 4x8 sheet runs about $30, and you can add hooks in whatever configuration makes sense for your tools. For shovels and rakes, use J-hooks or large single hooks that support the handle horizontally. Some people add a horizontal 2x4 below the pegboard to rest the tool heads against, keeping them from swinging.

Pegboard needs to be mounted at least 1 inch away from the wall so the hooks can seat properly. Use furring strips behind the board when you mount it.

Slotted Track Systems (French Cleats)

French cleats are L-shaped aluminum or wood strips that interlock. You mount one set of strips to the wall and hang accessories from them. For tool storage, you can hang custom hooks or buy hook attachments. The advantage is you can rearrange everything without drilling new holes. The disadvantage is upfront cost, around $50 to $150 for a full wall section with accessories.

If you're planning a complete garage wall system and want long-handled tool storage as part of it, French cleats make sense. For just shovels and rakes, a simple rack is faster and cheaper.

Freestanding Options When You Can't Mount to a Wall

Not everyone can or wants to drill into the garage wall. Freestanding tool storage racks exist and work reasonably well.

Corner Tool Racks

These are triangular racks designed to sit in a corner. Tools lean against the rack at an angle. They hold 10 to 20 tools depending on size, don't require any installation, and can be moved easily. The drawback is they take up floor space in the corner and can tip if someone bumps them with enough force.

Look for a version with a base wide enough to be stable. Some models have grip material on the bottom to prevent sliding on concrete.

Rolling Tool Carts for Garden Tools

If you need to move your shovels and rakes regularly, a wheeled garden tool cart makes sense. These are essentially a wheeled frame with vertical slots or tubes for tool handles. Roll it where you need it, use what you need, roll it back. Not the most space-efficient option, but good for people who work in multiple areas.

Organizing Multiple Long-Handled Tools Together

If you have 8 or more long-handled tools, organization starts to matter more. A few strategies that work:

Group by function. Keep digging tools (shovels, spades) together, raking tools (leaf rake, bow rake) together, and cleanup tools (brooms, push brooms) together. You'll grab the right tool faster without thinking about it.

Hang heavy tools lower. Shovels and mattocks weigh 5 to 8 pounds and are harder to lift overhead. Keep them at shoulder height or below. Lighter rakes and brooms can go higher.

Label the spots. A simple piece of masking tape under each hook with a tool name means you and anyone else in the household knows exactly where each tool goes back. This sounds trivial but makes a real difference in how long the system stays organized.

For a broader look at what works in garages beyond just tool storage, the Best Garage Storage guide covers everything from shelving to overhead systems that can work alongside a tool wall.

Specific Products Worth Considering

A few types of products consistently work well for this application:

Wall Control steel pegboard panels are heavier and more durable than standard pegboard. The steel version accepts metal hooks that won't bend under heavy tools, and the system is easy to reconfigure. Panels run about $40 to $60 each, plus accessories.

Suncast wall-mount tool hangers are a simpler single-hook solution that mounts to wood or masonry. Good for people who just need to hang 4 or 5 tools without building a full system.

Plano tool rack is a floor-standing version that holds up to 30 tools in a freestanding configuration. Reasonably priced at around $30 and widely available.

For overhead ceiling storage that keeps additional bulky items out of the way while you build your wall system, the Best Garage Top Storage guide is worth a look.

FAQ

How high should I mount a tool rack for shovels and rakes? Mount it so the heads sit between 6 and 12 inches above the floor when hanging vertically. This keeps the handles at a comfortable height for pulling them off the wall and makes sure the heads don't drag on the floor.

Can a spring-clamp rack hold a heavy mattock or pickaxe? Not safely. Standard spring clamps are designed for shovel and rake handles, which typically weigh 3 to 5 pounds. A mattock head alone weighs 5 to 7 pounds. Use a heavy-duty hook or dedicated holder for heavy digging tools.

How do I store tools in a rental property where I can't drill holes? A freestanding corner rack is your best option. Look for one with rubber feet and a wide base. Alternatively, use a tension rod system that presses between walls without drilling, though this works better for lighter tools.

What's the best way to store rakes and shovels in a shed instead of a garage? The same principles apply. Wall-mounted spring racks work in sheds, but if the shed walls are thin or the studs are widely spaced, use plywood backing to spread the load before mounting.

What Actually Works

For most garages with 5 to 10 long-handled tools, a quality spring-clamp wall rack at about $30 to $50 solves the problem cleanly. If you're building out a full garage wall system or have 15+ tools, move up to pegboard or a French cleat system and add the tool hooks you need.

Get the tools off the floor, mounted to the wall, and organized by type. That's the whole system.