Useful Wall Storage
Do you need more storage in your garage, shed, workshop, or craft room? A great way to add more storage and to keep tools handy is to make use of wall space. There are some wonderful, new wall storage products on the market and also some old, reliable products that can help you efficiently store and retrieve your tools.
In general, I prefer to hang tools instead of hiding them in a tool box or drawer. Large tools often end up stashed in a corner on in a heap on the floor. Some tools take up a lot of space when stored horizontally on a shelf. Wall storage systems allow you to group like tools, use wall space efficiently and effectively, and see what you have so you can easily find the tool you need.
For large tools such as weed eaters, chain saws, tree trimmers, and sledge hammers, I highly recommend gridwall panels and accessories. Gridwall panels are made of ¼ “steel wire configured in a 3” mesh and can support up to 100 lbs. Panels come in a variety of sizes and are attached to the wall with brackets. Numerous hooks and baskets are available to hold the tools and tool accessories. Big hooks are used for heavy items such as weed eaters, smaller hooks for paint brushes, and baskets for bottles, sandpaper, rags, and drill bits. These panels are so versatile, that I even use them in my horse trailer to hang tack. To see an example of gridwall products, go to http://passionfororder.com/organizing-products.html.
I have long been a pegboard fan and use it in both my art room and in my garage. Traditional pegboard comes in 4’x8’ sheets of masonite and must be mounted on wooden strips before being installed on the wall. Masonite pegboard is inexpensive and readily available at home improvement stores. On the down side, the pegboard looks a little “industrial’ and the hooks may fall out when tools are removed from the pegboard. A new alternative to the masonite pegboard is the 16” x 32” metal combo pegboard panel that comes in a variety of colors and uses both traditional pegboard hooks and locking slot hooks. The panels have a built-in backing and are mounted to the wall with molly bolts or into studs. Several panels can be installed together to make a large combo pegboard surface. The special hooks come in a variety of colors and shapes, and will not fall out when a tool is removed. In addition to the hooks, the panels come with small bins for holding screws or nails, and shelves for holding bottles and jars. To see an example of combo pegboard panels, go to http://passionfororder.com/organizing-products.html
Slatwall is another type of wall storage system that uses horizontal “slats” attached to the wall from which to hang items. It has a more finished look than gridwall or pegboard, and functions like grid wall in that is can hold larger items. Slatwall is available at home improvement stores, Gladiator Garageworks, and closet design companies.
These are all wonderful products, but before you rush out to purchase a fancy wall system, take stock of what you have to hang and how much wall space you have. Decide the “look” you want on your wall. Each system is designed to meet specific needs, and you should select the wall storage based on the number, size, and weight of the tools to hang, your budget, and the look you want to have. With a little planning and forethought, you will be able to turn that unused wall into efficient, effective, and attractive storage space.
