How to Organize the Tools You Use
With the uptick of home maintenance and repair, organizing your tools is becoming an important topic. There are a variety of tools to use regularly, as well as a variety of storage methods.
Assess your tools
Tools are a part of family memories. My husband owns tools handed down from his dad and grand dad, and passes these to our grand kids. That means there are many of the same tools and multiple tools doing the same job in our home. I recommend grouping your tools together by use to know what you have and how many. We sorted these tools into what to keep and what to sell. Tools are a popular item to sell online. Now that these are grouped you are ready to think about how to store your items.
Quick Assess Storage: Tool Drawer
We want to tap a nail into the wall to hang a picture or unscrew a batter compartment quickly. Having a tool drawer in your kitchen or laundry room would be the spot to store these tools. The tools stored here are a hammer, two kinds of screw drivers of multiple size heads, and other frequently used tools. Having a drawer organizer helps keep items together and organized. (Note: the pencil space is where I would store the tools.)
Container Store drawer organizer
Mobile Assess: Tool box
Mobile assess to multiple tools helps you complete a home repair. A tool box has a variety of storage for a larger number of tools that you frequently use. This box can be stored in the laundry room or garage on a shelf. Inside will be a shallow tray which can hold hardware with tools under the tray. Many families create these small toolboxes for their kids as they start to drive to keep in their cars and as they head to college.
Container Store Tool Chest
Onsite Assess: Tool chest, Pegboard and Slat wall
If you want assess to a larger quantity of tools, you want a larger area to store your items. The Tool chest has drawers to store a single type of tool, such as a drawer of multiple hammers or screwdrivers of different sizes. Each drawer can be labeled on the front to share what is inside the drawer. It is on wheels to move around your space. This is best stored in the garage as it is a large item.
Sears Craftsman Tool Chest
For those who have a work bench or wall for hanging tools, Pegboard and Slat wall are outstanding ways to see your tools. These require installation however the benefits are that everyone knows what tools you have, where to find them and where to return them. Often tools that are family shared are easily stored this way.
Home Depot Slat Wall
Our family was fortunate to have a master craftman’s, also known as Papaw, who create an amazing Pegboard system in our garage. We have had this system for years and we all know where to get the hammer and return it. We love to share it with those who come in through our garage. Often people comment on it’s organization!
Ellen’s Home Peg Board
With many home projects going on, it’s time to organize your tools to help you be efficient about your home repairs and maintenance.
I love good old fashioned pegboard so much. It is just so practical! You can find a hook for just about anything! My husband is very handy, for which I am thankful, and he has some very organized storage set up. I find that many young people have limited skills…and therefore very few tools on hand. Regardless of the size of your tool set, everyone needs an organized space for the ones they own. Great options!
Ellen- It’s so interesting that you brought up the point about how tools can evoke memories and get handed down generationally. Just this morning, I was talking with my husband about a plant I wanted to trim. He suggested that I use a snipper he had that belonged to my grandmother. I also remember that when my husband first started doing woodwork, he had all the tools that had belonged to his grandfather. He loved those tools because they brought back so great memories. This was decades ago. He was in the NYC, had parked his van, and it was broken into. Hi grandfather’s tools were stolen. While they were replaceable, he couldn’t replace the sentimental part.
Wow! This may be a gender difference in what we hold dear. Thank you for sharing your experiences too!
So true! There is something so functional about the pegboard!