This project was built and designed by Tom from Alley Picked.
Tom has a knack for turning scrap materials, alley finds, and simple lumber into practical storage that actually works for the way he uses his shop. In this roundup, he walks through ten different storage builds he has made over the years, each one designed to solve a specific problem rather than just look good on a shelf. From tool organization to scrap wood management, these ideas show how customized storage can outperform anything bought off a store shelf.
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Tabletop Tool Storage Rack
Tom starts with what he considers his most useful storage project yet: a tabletop rack that holds dozens of tools in plain sight. Instead of digging through drawers, everything is mounted so it can be seen and grabbed instantly.
The design includes shelving on both the top and bottom, side-mounted wrench storage, and double-sided bins for smaller parts. Because the whole unit is scaled to his own space and tool collection, he notes that anyone building something similar could easily adjust the size, add wheels, or change the layout to fit their own shop.
Plastic Shoe Box Storage Wall
One of the first projects Tom tackled after moving into his current home was turning an awkward, low-ceiling basement nook into usable storage. Using leftover deck lumber from a family member, he built a simple frame designed specifically to hold a large number of plastic shoe boxes.
The result is a wall of small, uniform bins that make use of a space that would otherwise be wasted. It is a good example of designing storage around the dimensions of the space rather than trying to force a standard shelving unit into an odd area.
Storage Condominiums
Tom calls this his favorite storage concept overall. The build is straightforward: a shelving box sized to hold small parts bins, each divided into dozens of tiny compartments.
By stacking multiple units together, he ends up with an enormous number of individual storage spots for screws, washers, salvaged hardware, and miscellaneous small parts. Labeling each bin lets him see what is inside at a glance, cutting down on trips to the hardware store since he can reuse salvaged parts instead.
Rollable Spray Paint Shelf
A large CD rack found on a neighborhood walk became the base for a mobile spray paint storage shelf. Rather than leaving it as-is, Tom added wheels and refreshed the finish to make it more functional in the shop.
The updated shelf now holds a large collection of spray paint cans, finishes, and thinners, all easily rolled to wherever they are needed. It is a solid example of how a discarded piece of furniture can be repurposed into something entirely different with just a few modifications.
Mid-Size Storage Cabinet
For items too big for small parts bins but too small for large shelving, Tom picked up a mid-size storage cabinet to fill the gap. It offers a flat top surface as well, which doubles as space for another tool or a stacked storage container.
This addition rounds out his storage system by covering the in-between category of items that often end up cluttering workbenches or floors.
Pegboard Storage Setups
Tom highlights two pegboard installations: one in his current shop and a newer, larger version built for his upcoming retirement workshop. The larger board is a full sheet with an added shelf on top for extra storage capacity.
After installing a large number of hooks, the pegboard becomes a flexible hanging system that can be rearranged as tool needs change. He notes that pegboard is available in smaller sizes as well, making it adaptable to almost any wall space.
Customizable Workbenches
Rather than treating workbenches as just work surfaces, Tom builds them with storage in mind from the start. His current bench includes shelving underneath and on the sides, holding everything from stained glass supplies to sump pumps and hand tools.
He even added wheels so the bench can be repositioned in his small basement shop when more floor space is needed. Workbenches, he explains, are one of the most overlooked storage opportunities because they can be customized with shelves, pegboard backs, or side compartments to match a specific shop layout.
Scrap Wood Storage Shelf
To deal with an accumulation of cut-offs and plywood sheets, Tom built a tall, rollable shelf dedicated entirely to scrap wood. He acknowledges the unit is larger than most people would need, but it works for the volume of material he has on hand.
He suggests that a smaller version would suit most home shops just as well, reinforcing the idea that these projects should be scaled to match individual needs rather than copied exactly.
Repurposed Medicine Cabinet
A discarded medicine cabinet, rescued from an alley before it could be destroyed by a garbage truck, became a quick storage upgrade. Tom rotated the cabinet, added extra shelving, and mounted it to hold boxes of nails and screws.
Since the wood was already in good condition, no additional finishing was needed. Because the loaded cabinet becomes fairly heavy, he recommends anchoring similar builds directly into wall studs for safety.
Customizable Clamp and Tool Shelf
The final project is a flexible shelving unit built specifically for clamp and tool storage. Tom points out that it can easily be modified down the road with paint, additional hooks, brackets, or even a magnetic strip for holding metal tools.
This kind of open-ended design is a theme throughout the video: storage that can evolve as needs change, rather than a fixed solution that becomes obsolete.
Building Storage That Fits
Looking at all ten projects together, the common thread is customization. Tom consistently favors solutions built to match his own space and materials over anything available at a store, whether that means salvaging alley finds or scaling a shelf to an oddly shaped basement corner.
For anyone looking to improve shop organization, these projects serve as a reminder that effective storage does not need to be complicated. It just needs to be built around how the space is actually used.
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Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Tom’s approach here really hits on something I think a lot of shop owners overlook: storage doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to work for how you actually move through your space. Before building anything permanent like the tabletop rack or the pegboard walls, it’s worth spending a few days just paying attention to which tools you reach for constantly versus the ones that sit untouched for months. That’ll tell you a lot more about layout than any plan you find online.
On the wall-mounted pieces, like that medicine cabinet loaded with hardware, hitting studs isn’t just a nice-to-have. A cabinet full of screws and nails gets heavy fast, and drywall anchors alone won’t cut it for anything with real weight behind it. A stud finder is cheap insurance here, and if you can’t hit enough studs for a wide piece, adding a ledger strip screwed into the studs first gives you a solid mounting surface across the whole back panel.
For anyone building their own version of the storage condominiums or small parts bins, clear labeling matters more than people expect. It’s easy to think you’ll remember what’s in each compartment, but six months later that salvaged hardware turns into a mystery bin. A label maker or even painter’s tape and a marker saves a lot of digging.
Wheels are another small detail worth taking seriously. Locking casters rated for the actual loaded weight of the unit, not just the empty shelf, make a real difference once you start rolling around a bench full of tools.