21 of the smartest van storage ideas

If you're a tradesperson, your van is your vehicle, mobile office, tool shed, and break room all rolled into one. Sometimes it feels like your whole life is stored within those four metal walls. Getting the most out of this space requires innovative van storage ideas that make your van easy, intuitive, and efficient to work in.

Looking for a few tips? We’ve got you covered.

What are the benefits of having a well-organised van?

Before we go into some practical tips on how to improve the storage in your van, it’s worth exploring why you should bother with this exercise in the first place. Chances are you already have a system of sorts. It may not be perfect, but it’s probably fine. Right?

The reality is that a well-organised van — a really well-organised van, one that has a deliberate and well-maintained system in place — offers several key advantages:

• Better time management: When tools and materials have designated places, you spend less time searching and more time working. This allows you to complete jobs quicker.
• Enhanced professionalism: An organised van is likely to leave a positive impression on your clients. Being able to locate exactly what you need without rummaging through a cluttered space shows your competence and attention to detail.
• Limit tool damage and loss: Proper storage systems prevent tools from colliding while you’re driving, which extends their lifespan and reduces your replacement costs. What’s more, when everything has a specific place, it’s immediately clear when tools go missing, which helps to prevent loss and theft.
• Increased vehicle capacity: Well-designed storage solutions use otherwise wasted areas, like vertical wall space and ceiling areas, which helps you get the most out of your van’s interior.
• Improved safety: Secure storage prevents items from becoming dangerous projectiles during sudden stops or accidents. An organised van also reduces trip hazards and improves accessibility, which reduces the risk of injuries when you’re retrieving tools or materials.

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General van storage ideas

Let’s start with a few general storage ideas that will apply to most vans.

1. Adopt a “zone system”: Divide your van into functional zones based on workflow: frequently accessed tools near the doors, project-specific equipment grouped together, and rarely used items stored in less accessible areas. This systematic approach helps you make efficient use of the space available.
2. Install a roof rack: If you carry especially bulky tools and equipment that you can’t easily fit inside your van, a secure, weatherproof roof rack is essential. It not only frees up valuable interior space but also improves your van’s weight distribution and handling.
3. Use slide-out side panels: Install external pull-out panels for quick access to tools you use regularly. These weather-resistant panels can be equipped with custom holders for specific tool sets, allowing you to work directly from the exterior of your van.
4. Use under-floor storage compartments: Create recessed compartments in the floor for flat items or valuable tools that need to be concealed. These hidden spaces are ideal for expensive equipment or emergency supplies that you want to keep safe but accessible.
5. Consider swivel seat storage: Convert the space beneath your swivel seats into lockable storage compartments for valuable items or paperwork. These dual-purpose areas maximize space that would otherwise be wasted, while keeping important documents or personal items secure.
6. Use vacuum-sealed bag storage: Compress rarely used soft materials like tarps and dust sheets in vacuum-sealed bags to minimize space. When properly sealed, these bags can reduce volume by up to 75%, turning bulky fabric items into compact, stackable packages.

Small van storage ideas

If you work out of a compact van, maximising every centimetre of space becomes even more important. Here are a few useful tips to help you.

1. Go vertical with multi-level shelving: Well-designed shelving that extends from floor to ceiling is a game-changer for small vans. Consider adjustable shelves that can be reconfigured based on your changing needs and narrow shelving units positioned along both sides of the van.
2. Use the interior of your doors: The interior surfaces of your van’s doors offer valuable but often overlooked storage space. Slim door organisers can hold smaller tools, paperwork, or frequently needed items without intruding on your main storage area.
   
   
3. Implement a pull-out workbench: A sliding platform that you can extend outwards when you're parked not only creates a convenient work surface but, if it’s cleverly designed, offers storage underneath, too.
4. Consider overhead storage nets or racks: The space between the top of your shelving and the van roof can accommodate lightweight items in storage nets or purpose-built racks. This area is perfect for less frequently used tools or supplies that you still need to keep accessible.

Van tool storage ideas

What about your tools? What are some top tips on storing your tools better?

1. Install modular drawer systems: Configure your drawer units to fit specific tools. These systems maximize your vertical space while keeping your tools organized and preventing them from sliding around while you’re driving.
2. Use wall-mounted pegboards or slat walls: Don’t forget the vertical wall space inside your van, which is ideal for hanging frequently used tools. This keeps them visible, accessible, and prevents them from getting buried under other equipment.
3. Install magnetic strip panels: Magnetic strips on walls can hold metal tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers for instant visibility and access. These panels can be cut to size and positioned strategically throughout your van. They’re also easy to adjust as your needs change.
4. Consider ceiling-mounted sliding trays: Sliding trays that mount to the ceiling of the van are great for storing longer items like pipes, lumber, or extension cords while keeping your floor space clear.
5. Use custom foam tool organisers: Foam inserts in drawers or cases where tools are cut out in silhouette help to create a dedicated spot for each tool. This prevents movement during transit and makes it immediately obvious if something is missing.
6. Install collapsible and stackable bin systems: Implement a system of bins that can be stacked when full but collapsed when empty to save space. Colour-coding these bins by project type or tool category adds another layer of organisation.

Other useful work van storage ideas

In closing, here are a few other final tips.

1. Label everything: You’ll be amazed how much time you save by labelling your boxes and drawers. Even if you think you know where everything is stored, having a little reminder in place can make your work processes that much more efficient.
2. Label everything digitally: If you want to take your labelling system one level further, consider implementing QR code labels on drawers and bins linked to a digital inventory app to track your tool locations and stock levels.
   
   
3. Think about retractable power cable systems: Retractable extension cords and air hoses neatly coil cables when they’re not in use but allow you to extend them to full length when needed, preventing the frustration and hazards of tangled cords.
4. Look into door-mounted first aid and emergency kits: Dedicate specific door compartments for emergency supplies, ensuring quick and easy access.
5. Declutter your van regularly: Go through your van and remove items you no longer need from time to time. This keeps your space as clutter-free as possible.

Quickfire summary

Optimising your van’s storage isn’t just about creating a tidy workspace. It’s about making sure your van helps you work quickly, efficiently, and safely. By implementing a few carefully considered van storage ideas and hacks, you can save time, present a more professional image to your clients, and take better care of your tools and equipment.

Remember that the perfect van storage system is unique to your specific trade and working style. Take the time to assess your needs, considering which tools you use most and how you usually move through your space. Start with one or two ideas that address your most pressing challenges, then build on your system as you discover what works best for you.

Over time, you’ll make subtle adjustments that help your van become the very best vehicle, office, tool shed, and breakroom it can be.

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