Key Takeaways
- Before purchasing anything, look at the tools you have and assess your workspace.
- Group like items together including hand tools, power tools and small hardware. Label shelves and bins to easily identify items.
- Frequently used tools should be visible and accessible. Use magnetic strips or pegboards to keep them within easy reach.
- Be smart about storage. Free up drawers and surfaces by using shelving, cabinet doors and wall space to store tools and hardware.
- Keep your cordless tools charged and in one place by installing a dedicated charging station.
Before You Get Started
Organizing your tools creates a clutter-free space and prevents unwanted accidents. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get started.
- Evaluate your workspace and measure the area to determine what can fit.
- Declutter by donating or disposing of any tools and hardware that you know you'll never use.
- Clean up the work area.
- Sort your tools according to type: hand, gardening, power or mechanical tools.
Now that you've taken these steps, it's time to consider the storage that's needed to create a clean and organized space. Here are eight ideas.
1. Pegboards
Using wall-mounted pegboards to keep your tools within eyesight and easy reach is one of the best tool organization ideas. It's a practical and affordable solution to access frequently-used items, such as small hand tools, a measuring tape, level, safety gear and more.
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2. Hooks & Hangers
Don't let your power, garden and hand tools pile up in a corner or a workbench. Utilize wall space by installing multi-tool hangers or hooks. It allows you to easily see and access your tools, while freeing up your floors for storage cabinets and shelving.
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3. Rolling Cabinets
Increase your cabinet's portability with a rolling base and casters. This is one of the most practical tool cabinet organization ideas as it allows you to move the cabinet set-up from your workbench to a job site.
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4. Plastic Containers
Some awkwardly shaped or bulky tools can’t be hung on a pegboard wall, or maybe they won’t fit in the space. For example, paint supplies such as rollers, trays, caulk and more can be organized inside clear plastic boxes. This will protect these items from damage, dust and dirt. Store these boxes on an open shelving unit.
Even though the tools are organized in clear boxes, it's helpful to label each container. Not only does it help quickly identify where the items are, but it'll ensure that that the tools are returned to the right place once you're done with a project.
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5. Magnetic Strips
A magnetic strip mounted on the inside of a cabinet door is perfect for holding steel tools like hammers, pliers, wrenches and levels. This maximizes unused space and keeps your tools organized and easily accessible. It also frees up valuable drawer space within your cabinets.
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6. Hardware Storage
It's easy for small hardware like nuts, bolts, screws and picture hangers to get all jumbled. Find what you need by keeping like items together in a small parts organizer. They can either sit on a shelf or the workbench top for easy access.
For an economical, space-saving alternative, use clear jars to hold small hardware. Screw the lids on the underside of a shelf and suspend the jars from their lids.
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7. Compact Charging Stations
Cordless power tools are functional until their batteries run out or their charger gets misplaced. Hang a charging station on the wall where you can organize and charge all your cordless tools in one location.
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8. Shelving
If you need to hold a lot of items in a small footprint, shelving is the way to go. It's an easy and affordable solution for storing your tools and organizing them in plastic totes or bins. Choose from steel or plastic shelving that can accommodate several thousand pounds of tools and materials.
When you're organizing the units, place the heaviest crates, tools and materials on the bottom shelves. Label the shelves to easily identify the contents and return them to the right place once you're done.
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Let's Get Organized
Reduce clutter, protect your tools and make them easy to find with a well-organized workspace. By adding a charging station, magnetic strips, pegboards, cabinets and labeled storage bins, these upgrades can save time, while keeping you productive. If you're ready to get started, shop online or visit your local Lowe's store.