DIY has seemingly tapped into our human instinct to create, innovate, and push the boundaries of what we can do with little to no expense or elaborate resources.
This is further emphasized when lockdown restrictions have been in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It forced us to do things we would usually hire a professional for such as small house repairs, a repaint, customize furniture, etc. These DIY projects have kept us occupied during these tough times and provided things we can do to bond with the family.
Over time, these projects may have also resulted in the accumulation of tools and equipment at home, and what better way to keep them at your disposal than storing them in tool carts? In this article, we are discussing the tips on how to store your tools so you can stay both organized and creative while working.
How To Organize Your Tools At Home
It takes the right place and storage to keep your tools and equipment safe and in good working condition. Whether you have a basement, workshop, or garage, using cabinets, carts, shelves, and other storage solutions is a handy way to keep these items off the floor and organized.
We have divided the storage tips based on the type of tools you have:
Small Tools & Accessories
Use toolboxes, cabinets, and drawers to keep your small tools and accessories from dust. These can be anything from nails, thumbtacks, glues, to hand tools like a hammer, screwdriver, etc. You can also screw a rack to a wall to hang your wrenches—pegboards can work just as well for this purpose. For items that you use often, you can opt to keep them in toolboxes and load them in tool carts.
Power Tools
How you would organize your power tools depends largely on how many you have, how much space you have to keep them, and how often you intend on using them. If you have only a few power tools, you may get away with using a large toolbox to keep them. However, you may have to invest in bins, cabinets, or shelves to keep a larger collection. Keeping them covered would be better to keep them from water damage and any other hazard.
Seasonal Tools
Seasonal tools can be anything from a lawnmower to a snowblower—what you have at home and when you use them is defined by the climate you live in. There are also tools like pruning shears, rakes, shovels, leaf blowers, and chainsaws, and when you have them all together, you’ll be surprised at how much space they can occupy. The good thing, however, is that they don’t have to take up a lot of your floor space. You can hang them from the walls using heavy-duty hooks from your local hardware store. You can keep them off the ground until you’re ready to use them.
How to Store Your Tools Properly
Besides proper storage, there are also steps you should take to keep your tools in good working condition. Check their manual for specific care and storage instructions, particularly for your power tools like chainsaws and drills.
- Clean after each use. Keep your tools tidy by cleaning them after every use. Wipe any dirt, grease, and any debris that can wear them down. If there’s any approved solution like a lubricant for the specific tools you have, use it. Dry the tools completely before storage.
- Repair any broken/defective tools. As you use and clean your tools, you’ll be able to detect any damage or defect. If the tools cannot be repaired, it might be better to dispose of them instead of letting them take up extra space in your storage.
- Keep your tools off the ground. Don’t store your tools directly on the ground. As said above, you can use tool carts, pegboards, and racks to hang your tools. These solutions not only save you valuable floor space but keep your tools from damage as well.
- Create an inventory. Keep a list of the tools that you have and where they are stored. You can also label the boxes with the list of their contents so you don’t have to browse through each box to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
Store Tools Together With Accessories
Another way to organize your tools is to store them together with their accessories. There are tools that just wouldn’t work without the accessories intended for them. For example, a socket wrench has no purpose without the sockets to go with it. You can also store your saw with its different types.
Whatever your preference may be, getting creative with storage is an inexpensive solution to organize your tools and keep them safe at the same time.
What are your thoughts about these storage and organizing tips? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
