Pools are fun until they’re not. You know, that moment when noodles, floats, and squirt guns are scattered like a wild storm came by. Pool chaos is real. And the worst part? Those giant flamingo floats don’t just disappear. They take over your yard like giant pink monsters. That’s where smart storage hacks come in.
Organizing pool toys doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, with a little DIY spirit, it can be kinda fun. Think about it—you’re saving money, building something useful, and keeping the poolside clear. No more tripping over soggy inflatables. No more lost goggles at the bottom of the grass. Just pure summer vibes.
So let’s talk about 20+ solid DIY pool storage ideas. Ones that you can actually do. Nothing too crazy, no complicated blueprints. Just practical, clever, and pretty fun to make.
1. PVC Pipe Toy Bin
PVC pipes are like LEGO for grown-ups. Cheap, light, and easy to snap together. You can build a giant open bin in under an hour with just some elbow joints and straight cuts.
Imagine a cube, maybe waist-high, with mesh netting wrapped around the sides. Toss in noodles, dive toys, and floats. Water drains right out. No mildew. No gross slime. Plus, kids can toss stuff in and dig it out without tipping the whole thing over.
And the best part? Spray paint it any color you want. Aqua blue, sunshine yellow, or just plain white. It’ll look neat by the pool instead of like a random cage.
2. Hanging Mesh Bags
Sometimes the simplest fix is the smartest one. Grab some heavy-duty mesh laundry bags. Mount a few sturdy hooks along your pool fence or the side of your shed. Suddenly you have an instant storage wall.
Wet toys go in, water drips out, and they dry in the sun. Mesh is a lifesaver. Floats, snorkels, and even smaller inflatables can be tucked inside. The bags are lightweight too, so kids can help pack things up.
And hey—if one gets too dirty, toss it in the wash. Easy as that. No complicated builds, no fuss. Just practical genius.
3. Pallet Toy Rack
Wood pallets are everywhere. Sometimes free if you know where to ask. Flip one upright, secure it against a wall, and boom—instant rack. The gaps are perfect for sliding in pool noodles or skinny floats.
Add a few hooks along the sides and you’ve got spots for goggles, swim caps, or nets. Rustic charm without even trying. You don’t have to sand it down much unless you hate splinters. Just give it a coat of outdoor sealer and it’s good for years.
Honestly, this one looks cooler than it has any right to. It’s like backyard chic meets practical storage.
4. Rolling Pool Toy Cart
Picture a laundry cart but for floats. Build a simple wooden or PVC frame, slap some casters on the bottom, and wrap the sides in mesh or chicken wire. Now you’ve got a toy cart that rolls wherever you need it.
The beauty? You can pull it right up to the pool when the fun starts, then wheel it back into the shed when you’re done. No lugging heavy piles of dripping toys across the yard. Kids love pushing it too, so cleanup becomes a game.
A rolling cart feels like luxury. But it’s DIY luxury. The kind that costs maybe fifty bucks instead of two hundred.
5. Wall-Mounted Bungee Holder
Bungees are underrated. Stretch a few across a wooden frame or directly on a fence, and you’ve got the ultimate flex storage. Shove noodles behind them, tuck in floats, even stash big rafts.
The tension keeps everything snug, but it’s still easy to pull stuff out. No complicated latches. No tangled nets. Just grab and go.
And you can make it look pretty slick too. Use bright-colored cords, maybe stagger them for style. It feels more like a cool display than storage.
6. Large Deck Box with a Twist
Yes, you could just buy a big deck box. They’re everywhere. But why stop there? DIY it into something better. Add dividers inside to keep noodles from collapsing into a giant mess. Line the bottom with drainage holes so it doesn’t fill up with swamp water.
Want to go even further? Attach pool-safe wheels so you can move it around like a giant trunk. Or paint it to match your backyard vibe. You don’t want a giant plastic coffin sitting out looking sad.
It’s one of those projects where a little tweaking turns basic into brilliant.
7. Overhead Float Hanger
Big floats are the worst to store. They don’t fit in bins. They don’t fit in boxes. They just sit there like huge balloons eating up space. So why not hang them?
Use ceiling hooks in your patio or inside your shed. Strap floats up high with ropes or cargo nets. Suddenly the floor is clear, and your flamingo looks like it’s flying indoors.
It sounds silly, but it works. And once you see all that ground space freed up, you’ll never go back.
8. Pool Noodle Crate
Noodles are harmless but sneaky. They roll everywhere like colorful snakes. The fix? Build a tall narrow crate. Something simple with slats so water drains out.
Drop the noodles in vertically. No rolling, no bending, no trip hazards. It’s the easiest storage hack ever. And it takes like thirty minutes to build.
Bonus: kids actually enjoy tossing noodles back in. Almost like they’re feeding a giant noodle box monster.
9. Fence-Mounted Storage Rail
Got a fence near the pool? Use it. Mount a couple of long rails horizontally, and suddenly you’ve got a spot for flat floats and boards.
It’s neat because it uses space that’s usually ignored. Keeps everything off the ground, out of the dirt, and organized at eye level. You can build it out of wood, PVC, or even metal.
It doubles as decor too. Floats lined up along the fence almost look like art. Bright splashes of color against wood or metal.
10. Repurposed Garden Cart
That old wheelbarrow or garden cart? Don’t toss it. Clean it up, maybe add a liner, and suddenly it’s a pool toy hauler.
The big wheels make it easy to roll across grass, even when loaded with floats. And because it’s built for outdoors, it handles wet stuff just fine.
Sure, it’s not fancy. But it’s rugged, practical, and feels clever. The kind of thing that makes you smile because you turned yard junk into pool gold.
11. Outdoor Hammock Net for Floats
Imagine a giant hammock, but instead of you napping in it, your floats are chilling there. Just attach strong netting between two posts or trees and drop the floats in. It looks playful and keeps bulky toys off the ground.
Kids think it’s funny too—like their giant unicorn raft is lounging. Super easy, super clever.
12. Repurposed Bookshelf Turned Pool Storage
That old bookshelf sitting in the garage? Drag it outside, give it a coat of waterproof paint, and suddenly it’s a poolside organizer. Shelves are perfect for neatly stacking small toys, sunscreen, or even rolled-up towels.
Floats can lean against the side while smaller gear finds a proper home. Plus, it’s vertical storage, which saves tons of floor space.
13. DIY Storage Bench Combo
Why not combine sitting and storing? Build a wooden bench with a hinged lid. Inside, all the toys go in. Outside, you’ve got a comfy spot to relax by the pool.
Nobody even knows it’s hiding pool chaos. And when guests come over, it looks intentional and stylish, not just storage.
14. Giant Toy Tote Bags on a Rack
Sew or buy oversized outdoor tote bags. Mount a rack or rail to hang them from. Each bag can hold different types of toys—balls in one, snorkel gear in another, inflatables in another.
Easy to carry around too. If you’re heading to a lake day, just grab a bag off the rack and go.
15. Under-Deck Storage Pull-Outs
Got a raised deck? Put that dead space under it to work. Install sliding crates or plastic tubs on rails. They disappear when you don’t need them, and roll out when you do.
It feels like secret storage, and it’s perfect for stashing things that don’t look cute sitting out.
16. DIY Ladder Organizer
Grab a sturdy wooden ladder or build one quick. Lean it against a wall and use the steps as rungs for hanging towels, floats, or mesh bags full of toys.
Paint it a fun poolside color. It’s storage, but it doubles as decor. Suddenly the messy stuff looks like part of the vibe.
17. Hanging Flower Basket Trick
Those metal hanging baskets you normally see with flowers? Swap the soil for toys. Line them with mesh or outdoor fabric and hang them near the pool.
They’re ideal for small stuff like goggles, water shooters, or dive rings. It’s quirky, cheap, and surprisingly neat.
18. Floating Dock Storage Box
If you’ve got a dock or a pool deck that extends out, build a waterproof storage box that sits right on the edge. Add drainage holes and a locking lid.
That way, toys don’t even have to leave the pool area. Everything’s right where you need it, and you save yourself constant trips back and forth.
19. Vertical Pipe Rack for Rafts
Instead of shoving big rafts into corners, build a tall vertical rack using wide PVC pipes or wooden posts with slots. Slide each float into its own little stall.
It’s like parking for inflatables. Keeps them upright, dry, and out of the wind. No more floats blowing across the yard like tumbleweeds.
20. Old Trampoline Frame Conversion
If you’ve got a broken trampoline, don’t junk it. Strip off the mat and springs. Use the circular frame to create a giant hanging net or suspended rack for toys.
You can attach mesh, rope, or fabric to hold all sorts of pool gear. It’s unusual, but it makes use of something that normally just rusts away in the corner.
Final Thoughts
Now, why all this effort for toy storage? Because pool time should be about relaxing, not chasing runaway noodles into the bushes. A clutter-free poolside actually feels calmer. And honestly, you’ll use your pool more when it doesn’t look like a toy store exploded in your backyard.
DIY projects also carry a weird satisfaction. You get to point at that noodle crate or rolling cart and say, “yeah, I built that.” It becomes part of the backyard’s story. Friends notice. Kids brag about it. Even you feel a little proud each time you pack things away.
The truth is, pool storage doesn’t have to be boring plastic bins shoved in a corner. It can be clever, beautiful, and even fun to use. Whether you go all-in with a custom PVC cart or just hang up some mesh bags, you’re taking control of the chaos. And isn’t that the whole point?
So, this summer, try one. Or two. Or hey, all ten. You’ll find your pool days feel lighter when the mess is tamed. And next time someone asks how you keep everything so neat, you’ll grin and say, “just a little DIY magic.”
Emma is a passionate home decor enthusiast and the voice behind Home Evoke. With a keen eye for design and a love for transforming spaces, she shares her expertise and creative ideas to help others create beautiful, functional homes. Through her blog, Emma inspires readers with practical tips, trend insights, and DIY projects that make home styling effortless and enjoyable.