The DIY garden tool storage idea that will save your sanity. Storage for lawn tools
The Ultimate Guide to Lawn Mower Storage: 2023
Storing a lawn mower can be one of the most frustrating tasks known to man.
You have to have a lawn mower to stay on top of your grass. But there just simply isn’t a good place for it. It won’t fit in your garage – can you leave it outside? Can you put it in a shed? Under a deck? INSIDE?!
Many people are so annoyed by trying to find a solid spot for their mower they just give up and hire a landscaper – losing thousands of dollars per year in the process.
But those of us that have been around a while know a few tricks. Thankfully, technology has changed, too. So let’s break down the best ways to store a lawn mower.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Lawn Mower Storage Ideas
Storing a lawn mower has several nuances. First, we need to examine the type of lawn and be realistic. If you have a massive zero-turn mower, this thing is going to need its own garage space or at the very least a well-protected carport. Many zero-turn mowers can be up to five feet across – and those are just the blades. You won’t find a good outdoor location for this and will want to keep it well protected from the elements. Most sheds won’t do either. Landscapers can get by with keeping them on the backs of trailers during the summer, but these need dedicated indoor space during the winter.
Lawn tractors have similar requirements, but can sometimes be stored between cars in a well-spaced out garage. Many folks with large yards also have a lot of garage space and can make use of it for stashing a 3 foot wide mower.
Push mowers are the trickiest. With smaller yards come fewer places to store things. But let’s see what we can do.
Best Place To Store A Lawn Mower
Hands down, the best place to store a lawn mower is in the garage. The garage offers a decently insulated, dry area for storage. While it’s a total luxury, it hands down will be the best way to keep your mower from rusting, fading, or exposing the plastic parts to extreme temperature volatility that would result in cracks.
Personally, I have mine in the garage in the back corner and pull my truck a few inches away from it each time. It is a tight squeeze, but I make it work to keep the mower protected.
If you don’t have the space for a mower to take up a portion of your garage, think again. There are many mowers these days (battery-powered) that allow for you to fold the mower in half and have it in a much smaller space in your garage.
The fact of the matter is that this will still take up at least 20-24 inches of width, with somewhere between 12-16 inches of length.
If you don’t have the space, then let’s move outdoors.
Best Shed for Lawn Mowers
If you don’t have a garage, your next best location to store a lawn mower is in a shed. If you have one already, great. If not, we can help out. Here’s what to look for in a shed for storing lawn mowers.
- Well-insulated
- You want your shed to be able to keep out most of the elements. While it won’t do much to protect against temperature, having one that is waterproof will really help prevent rusting. It’s also important to keep the shed close to your house, in a shaded location. This will allow it to stay somewhat protected from the elements and keep it relatively cool.
So what’s the best shed for lawn mowers?
We found a lawn mower shed that has all the things you’re looking for. I did some annoyingly extensive research on sheds (you’d be surprised) and found one on Amazon that comes at a pretty great price point and has all the things I’ve mentioned.
The Rubbermaid Resin Weather Resistant Outdoor Storage Shed is pretty slick.
It comes in a ton of configurations, but honestly the 5 ft by 2 ft version will work for basically all push mowers. I’d say 95% of push mowers are below 22 inches, so the 2 ft version can easily accommodate them without taking up too much space.
- Weather resistant
- It’s in the name. Has a pretty dang durable outer surface that provides serious protection but is also thin enough to not be bulky.
- Durable
- Not just to weather, but looks really durable and will avoid scratches. The big bad wolf will likely not be able to blow this house down.
All-in-all, we think it is the best outdoor shed for lawn mowers. You can grab it on Amazon right now for a really good price – it looks like it stays on sale.
Best Place to Store Mower Outdoors
Okay – you don’t have a garage and a shed is out of the question right now – what do you do?
You still have options. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get away with outdoor storage as a temporary solution.
If you have to store your lawn mower outdoors, consider these things:
- Try to keep it dry
- Keep your lawn mower dry at all costs. Not only can you avoid rust, but also avoid water building up in places that it shouldn’t be.
- Tuck it close to your house, underneath your deck, on top of a patio, whatever – but make sure to keep it dry.
- Additionally (or alternatively), throw a tarp over that sucker. Obviously it doesn’t have to be big, but something to keep it from getting directly drenched will help.
- Try to keep it shaded
- Heat can do silly things to equipment – causing plastic parts to expand, the color to deteriorate, and overall wear down your mower.
- You can use the same methods of keeping it dry to keep it shaded.
- Keep it in a non-grassy area
- Sounds counterintuitive since the mower is used to being in the grass, but giving the blades some breathing room can help keep the blades sharpened and also prevent rusting.
- Move it onto a gravel or mulch section where something is not making constant contact with the blades.
Those are our tips. Good luck, Godspeed, and save up for a shed, please. Don’t have the money? Start mowing some lawns for money.
Alternative Storage Ideas for Lawn Mowers
Okay, we’ve got some outside of the box and new ways to store lawn mowers that don’t involve garages, sheds, or the great outdoors.
We are talking about the great indoors.
A lot of these electric mowers nowadays can fold in half like a dang lawn chair and weigh under 50 lbs.
No, you may not want to store it inside all the time, but during the winter – definitely.
- Give it a nice and complete spray down. Not only do you want to get rid of any bugs, but you want to get all the caked on grass completely off of the blades of the mower.
- Hand dry the blades quickly after to prevent rusting (be careful).
- Fold it in half.
- Bring it inside for the winter.
You can check out our electric mower guide here for some recommendations.
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Ultimate Early Spring Lawn Care Schedule: 2023 Guide
Alex K
Alex is a lawn tool enthusiast who cut his teeth as a normal Joe lawn dad. After burning through expensive, fancy tools, Alex became dedicated to finding the best tools on the planet. He is now a leading expert on electric lawn tools, quoted in the Washington Post among other publications.
The DIY garden tool storage idea that will save your sanity
When you take on a big project (like organizing the most messy garage of all time), you have to bite it off one piece at a time. And in the last week, we have bitten off a giant piece.
And spoiler: one of the best changes this week is the simple and fast way we stored all the garden tools. Also known as some of the worst things ever to store in a garage. They are long and short and heavy and light and there’s no good place to organize them.
- We have tried those flimsy plastic storage organizers you can find at the home store. They are hopeless.
- We have tried just throwing them all in a corner, ignoring them, and hoping for the best. Also hopeless.
After finding some pieces of PVC, Kyle and Papa Bear created this little wall-o-organization for all the handled tools. (Just like my inspiration from Ashbee Designs.)
This is already changing my life for the better. (And if you are looking for an update, 2 years later, this storage solution is still going strong.)
This was a very simple DIY project. We used various scrap pieces of PVC and cut them on the angle, to allow space to drill them to a board we secured to the wall. Each tool has two pieces of PVC to hold the top and bottom. The bottom of the tools rest on a board, instead of going to the ground (which would be a dust and dirt collector).
Now, we just need a second layer for the pile of tools still in our garden shed. (Where do they all come from?)
What’s that? You want more?
Check out this amazing wall-mounted storage box for all of our nails/screws/hardware. My dad whipped it up. The shelves are made to the same width as the boxes, so they don’t get lost or forgotten. (Novel idea, right?)
And this magnetic strip is holding all of our loose drill bits and other stuff. (Magnetic knife holder from IKEA)
And we can’t forget, the guys also installed metal walls this week. Yes. It’s been a marathon week. The barn garage is looking gooooooooooood. Two weeks ago, it looked like this:
And, I kid you not, this week it looks like this.
If you don’t see the difference, you need your eyes checked. Stat.
I’ve been doing so much squealing this week. I just love the space and all the progress is blowing my little mind.
In case you are curious, I’ve done nothing productive to make this space come together. (You aren’t surprised, are you? I revealed my renovation gifts yesterday.)
But, other people have been hard at work. Like my husband and brother, Kyle. They installed the drywall on the ceiling. Which is not a fun job. Ryan could barely move after a weekend of installing drywall.
But I think it’s worth it … (don’t tell Ryan I said that)
And my brother has been his partner-in-crime. He couldn’t have done it without Kyle. They are a motley crew, these two. Working on laughs, Subway and a case of Coors Light.
The original plan was to just leave the drywall alone – not worrying about mudding/taping/painting. But then Ryan starting mudding. So, I’m just laying low and trying to figure out what it all means.
And then, as if the ceiling wasn’t enough wowza, Ryan and Kyle immediately got to work installing the metal on the walls.
This metal was actually on the roof at this time last year. But when Ryan had to rip it off and install a new roof, this had to find a new life.
So now those pretty panels live on the wall. Ryan and Kyle installed them one by one, cutting each piece with his favorite Milwaukee circular saw and metal blade they went.
How to Build a DIY Giant Toy Box | Free Downloadable Plans
I am obsessed with how great it looks. I love the rust spots. I love the patina. It’s not everyone’s style, but I think it’s just perfectly rustic for a 100-year-old barn.
Here are the workbenches my dad built in front of the walls.
Basically, all of my barn garage dreams are coming true. There is actually floor to be seen. Thanks to my parents and aunt and uncle for clearing it all out for us.
(This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.)
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Комментарии и мнения владельцев
how do u store tools in the garage and mops etc in the laundry if u rent and cant put holes in walls etc
I just realized something… If you two have kids and raise them there, they will leave doors open wherever they go their whole life long.
Hi there! Just love this post! I adore the fact that you put corrugated metal on the walls, such a nice touch. My favorite part is your easy garden tool storage. I’m getting ready to do a post about our backyard dreams early next week and I’d like to include a photo of your storage solution with a link back to this post with your permission. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at thejohnsonsplusdog at gmail dot com. Thanks!
Thanks so much for giving me credit for the PVC tool storage. Your implementation is beautiful. The good news is I set my tools he’d up with the PVC tool collars several years ago and it is one of those storage systems that works. My tool shed is STILL neat!
So glad that it’s still such a great solution – we love it! And I’m going to try to create a similar solution for smaller handled tools and paint brushes. Thank you so much for the inspiration and for stopping by!
Love the small pieces of organization that make a BIG! impact. The shelves for the nail boxes…what you just don’t them ALL into a coffee can? The magnet strips for the loose drill bits. Genius! Going to show my hubby this post when he gets home for some inspiration. The barn is looking great.
I’m cracking up at the coffee can comment. Let’s just say that we have far too many nails for one coffee can. but before this, it was out of control. And my dad is actually making another shelf because this one isn’t close to being big enough.
It’s really coming together! I love the metal on the walls. I wonder if sliding barn door could be made out of them, with maybe some kind of trim on the outer edges since it’s sharp. Hmmm, you’ve got me thinking! Enjoy!
They really did a great job. It’s all mudded and taped now, and it’s looking like a totally different space. Love it.
The walls look great with the metal sheets! And I love the little pieces of organization you are utilizing and the PVC.
Quantum leap if I ever saw one. Wowza!! I can’t believe all you got done in such a short time. Love it all. Those panels look so fab and I love how the work tables look in there too. Great tool and nail storage too. This is one hardworking garage!!
It’s getting there. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming. Just so many things to store. And we’ve NEVER done a good job at keeping the chaos under control in the garage. We’re really working hard to get this in line.
Wow! It’s all coming together so beautifully I love to see all your garage organization ideas… I’m planning a garage makeover of my own in the near future and will def be putting some of them to use!!
I realize that Ryan is fairly attached to life at your house, but does your brother want to move to Colorado and do my house projects for me? B will buy him beer, too. And I could occasionally make a grilled cheese sandwich. Asking too much? Kim, I really love the walls. You know industrial is my jam. But I love them SO MUCH MORE now that I know they were previously the barn’s roof. So cool. You guys rock.
Well, my brother is pretty certain that he is going to live in the barn after we do. And run a Christmas Tree Farm out of the garage. He’s got a dream. But if there’s one thing I have learned, cheese and beer get this boy to do whatever you need. Cheese sticks, cheese pizza, mac and cheese – those are his jams. And I’m sure he’d love Denver.
nice. I would definitely do navy for the tables, and the inside of the door. what about the steps to upstairs, what are your plans for those?
My plans for the steps are to paint them (probably white) and then add a carpet runner down them. Ryan’s also planning to build railings. We’ll see how quickly this goes, but it’s important because they are really steep and I’m a bit worried about using them everyday.
those walls are so cool! And all your brilliant storage ideas–so great! Also, you know you’re making the rest of us look bad, right? You guys put up walls and a ceiling while we managed to hang….half a door
Bahahaha…. can I be forgiven if this is ALL we do? I’m worried this house selling may mean we make very little more progress on the garage.
Kim, this is AMAZING. I love the re-use of the roof, those kind of details get me all sappy during home renovations.
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Top 10 Garden Tool Storage Systems for Easy Organization
I was never really that into gardening until I bought my first house. So I had no idea how many garden tools I’d accumulate in a few short years.
Since gardening tools come in all shapes and sizes, it can be challenging to find the right place to store them in your garage.
In this article, we’ll cover some of my favorite ways to store my garden tools. Feel free to combine a few, so you can get your tools more organized.
Potting Bench
A potting bench is a specially designed structure that gives you a space to pot small plants, manage seedlings, and make minor repairs.
Potting benches come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple and minimalistic to ones with more advanced features, such as a utility sink or a rack.
Many potting benches contain drawers or shelves, specifically for storing garden tools, such as hand shovels and gloves.
In addition, since you’re going to be spending most of your time at your potting bench, it’s a good idea to keep your long-handled tools nearby.
Mobile Tool Storage Caddy
A mobile tool storage caddy not only helps keep your tools organized but also helps you conveniently carry your tools throughout your garden.
Instead of going back and forth to the garage to grab a new tool, you can bring all your gear with you.
A mobile tool storage caddy has wheels that make it easy to transport around your garden, but they also has several storage features that make them perfect for storing tools as well.
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For example, some have s for small tools and a container for long tools. Some even have a bucket for you to use for weeding.
Mobile caddies offer various extras, so look at different ones until you find one that’s best for your needs.
- Versatile, multi-purpose rolling caddy hauls tools where you need them
- Keeps tools and supplies organized in the garage or shed
- Includes 5-gallon bucket with fabric tool organizer
Hooks on the Back of a Door
Hooks on the back of doors are great to store garden tools efficiently, and works well for small and large tools alike.
It’s a great choice if you are looking for a cheap storage solution because they’re easily available at most hardware stores.
So, you do not need to go to a specialty garden store like you may need to with some other items on this list. However, make sure that you pick hooks that will hold the weight of your tools, or can manage different sizes and shapes of tools.
Wall Tool Rack
In my garage, I use a wall tool rack to store my garden tools off the floor. There are many types of wall tool racks, like Gladiator GearTrack or Rubbermaid FastTrack. Click on the links to check out my reviews of them!
They can hold large tools, small tools, or both. These systems can include a series of hooks or other features like slots and baskets.
Wall tool racks are particularly effective method for storing long-handled tools.
Personally, I use my Gladiator GearTrack wall storage system to hang my shovels and rakes. It keeps them from hitting each other and lets me store my lawnmower directly underneath.
Galvanized Garden Tool Storage Box
Rather than taking your small gardening tools out of a separate storage area and carrying them to your garden, consider keeping them close to the action.
Since it’s rust-resistant, a galvanized steel box can be kept in your garden. You do not need to worry about rust or other damage from the elements.
However, a galvanized steel tool box is best suited to smaller tools. A garden hoe or pruning shears won’t exactly fit in a small box.
Instead, use the storage box for items you want handy, such as a hand trowel, gardening gloves, and plant markers.
You can use it in combination with a mobile tool storage caddy to help keep everything close-by and mobile, too.
Pegboard
Classic and easy to customize, pegboards are a great way to store your tools while saving space.
They’re similar to a wall tool rack, however, the peg format provides more versatility. You can store anything from tools to garden twine to crafting supplies, and organize them exactly how you like.
A significant benefit of a pegboard is you can easily see all your tools at once, so you can see if anything is missing or needs to be replaced.
Pegboards often pairs very well with a potting bench, but they’re mainly designed for smaller tools. You’ll need another solution for larger garden tools.
Small Shed
If you have the space for it, a shed is great for storing a lot of tools. Even though we’re mainly discussing how to store garden tools IN your garage, having the option to store them outside appeals to as lot of people.
Sheds come in a few materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
Each comes with its own pros and cons, so, your choice will come down to what most suits your needs.
Remember that some internal organization may be good to have within the shed. Things like a slimline tool rack or a pegboard, may compliment a shed nicely.
Toolbelt or Canvas Roll-up Pouch
Toolbelts and roll-up pouches come in several different shapes to suit different needs. Both are designed to be easy to carry, letting you to easily work with several of your smaller garden tools at the same time.
A gardening tool belt is simply a belt with s attached, similar to a normal handyman’s tool belt.
Canvas roll-up pouches have a similar concept, but organize your tools in a compact roll, instead of on your belt.
Reclaimed Buckets and Pots
If you prefer the rustic look, or just want an environmentally friendly way to manage your gardening tools, reclaimed buckets or pots are a great option to store your garden tools in.
Reclaimed buckets and pots work very well for small tools such as hand trowels, hand pruners, and garden forks. You could even use these for long items if you add an attachment to your bucket that can provide some additional stability.
However, tools may get damaged when put in a bucket together. Knives can lose their edge, or harder tools can damage softer ones.
Luckily, there are solutions to prevent this issue, such as adding leather or foam dividers to keep your items organized.
Slimline Tool Rack
If you don’t want wall storage racks for your larger garden tools, a slimline tool rack is the next-best thing.
Slimline tool racks are narrow enough to make it both practical and versatile.
It works particularly well for long-handled tools, and provides the benefits of a wall tool rack without taking up space on your wall.
Since a slimline tool rack is free-standing, it’s a great option if you can’t drill any installation holes in your garage walls.
How to Store a Lawnmower
Whether you have a gas-powered lawnmower, and electric lawnmower, or an old-school rotary mower, you need to store it properly to get the most use out of it.
The most important parts of storing a mower are that you want it safe from weather, dust, and somewhere to keep it dry.
There are several places you can store your lawnmower. Most people, including me, store their lawnmower in the garage, but a garden shed or basement are other alternatives.
However, lawnmowers take up a lot of space, so you need to be strategic in how you store it.
One big thing to consider is how often you need to access it.
For example, if you are storing your mower for the winter, you likely will not need to access it frequently. However, if you need to take it out every week or two, you want to store your lawnmower in a location where you can easily remove it and return it.
Once you know where you want to store your lawnmower, you may need to make some space for it.
A big part of this is effectively organizing the other tools in this area.
You may have a case where you want to take advantage of wall-mounted storage options for your other tools.
Electric or non-powered lawnmowers can be hung on a hook or placed on a shelf.
Never do this with a gas-powered lawnmower, however. It may cause a gasoline spill in your garage.
Storing Electric Power Tools
You’ll need to consider many of the same things when storing electric power tools as when you store your lawnmower.
Fortunately, most power tools aren’t as big, so space isn’t as much of a factor.
As with all electrical devices, power tools need to be stored somewhere away from the elements.
Additionally, they need to be stored safely, and out of the reach of children and pets. You will also want to keep any power cords organized to prevent tripping.
Cabinets or tool drawers are a great option, because it keeps your tools from encountering too much dust or liquids. Dust is bad for power tool longevity because it can attract moisture from the humidity in your garage, leading to rust.
Therefore, when preparing to store your power tools for any length of time, it is a good idea to clean off any surface rust with WD-40.
After that, depending on the tool, you may want to apply a little oil or grease to add another layer of protection.
If your garage is climate-controlled, even better.
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Most power tools can withstand a certain amount of cold, but extreme temperatures can damage them.
Often, power tools such as drills come with their own storage cases. This is often the best place to store them.
Not only are they great protection, but they also make it harder for you to lose parts or attachments.
You can also store your power tools in a toolbox or hanging from a pegboard.
When choosing these options, you may need to take extra measures to protect against rust. For example, you can add anti-rust liners to a toolbox or use a dehumidifier.
Winterizing Power Tools – Tips For Storing Power Lawn Tools
Winter is upon us, and temperatures in many areas dictate when we can start or finish chores in the garden. This includes storing power lawn tools that we won’t be using for a few months. Winterizing lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other gas or electric-powered equipment helps extend the life of the engines. It’s just as important as storing any other garden tools.
Preparing Power Equipment for Winter
When winterizing gas power tools, there are two options. You may drain the gasoline from the engines or add a stabilizer to the gas. If you have to remove the gas when storing power garden equipment for the season, you can use it in your automobile. Read the equipment manual to learn if gas is meant to be drained or stabilized. Many equipment manuals are available online at the dealer’s sight.
When using the stabilizer, follow the instructions on the container. In most cases, it requires that you fill the tank. Then, operate the machine as instructed to circulate the gasoline mixture into the fuel lines and carburetor. Note: 2-cycle engines already have stabilizers added to the gasoline/oil mixture. Use a piece of aluminum foil as a vapor barrier taped over the tank cap for further protection. You may also add a few drops of oil to the spark plug port to provide further protection in winter.
Don’t forget to empty any unused gasoline that’s left sitting around. As with drained gasoline from power equipment (unless a stabilizer has been added), this can normally be poured into your vehicle for use.
Clean and Maintain Lawn Equipment
When preparing to winterize your lawn equipment, take the time to remove dirt and grass from the mower’s deck and sharpen the blades. You may find it is an appropriate time to change the engine oil and change or clean the filters too. Disconnect batteries to prevent corrosion and clean the terminals.
Electric and gas-powered string trimmers should be cleaned as well. Check the line and replace if needed for next year. Also, clean the string head and sharpen the string-cutting blade if necessary. For gas-powered trimmers, turn on and allow the gas to run out before storing.
You may or may not be using the chainsaw over winter, but it’s a good idea to ensure that’s it’s in tip-top shape should you need it, like for downed or winter damaged trees. It’s normally recommended that you mix high-octane winter fuel and fuel stabilizer rather than plain gas to help protect the engine. Also, check the spark plug and examine the chain for any broken links.
How to Store Power Tools in Winter
Locate your power tools in a cool, dry place for winter. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Find a spot in a building or garage where they will be conveniently out of the way, if possible.
If you don’t have a suitable area for your mower or if it’s in an area where wind-blown rain or snow can get to it (such as an open carport), you should provide some type of cover for it – either one specifically for mowers or secure a tarp around it.
Unplug power trimmers and blowers and store them in a dry place. Store string trimmers by hanging them whenever possible.
Also, be sure to store the disconnected batteries from mowers or other battery-operated tools in a cool, dry place.
