DIY Tool Storage Ideas

Every home likely has a set of hand tools and equipment, and therefore we need a place to store them. Even if we’re not especially keen on home repair, most of us have tried our hands on some DIY work. Craftsmen and people who enjoy DIY projects dedicate entire rooms to their work and tools. While we should aim to keep dangerous items out of kids’ reach, proper tool organization will also keep you from misplacing any equipment. Most of us have trouble staying organized, so we’re going to explore a few ideas which can help you keep the chaos to a minimum.

Containers

Firstly, we all know how easy it is to lose smaller equipment, including nails, screws, etc. As specialized containers can be pricy, it may be for the best to use something else. For example, do you have a bottle of milk that’s almost empty? Feel free to use it for storage. And if you’re concerned about breaking glass bottles, switch to plastic ones or even plastic jugs. Everyone has their preference, but you need to find something that suits you.

Still, what’s most important here is to label your containers properly. If you’re not using clear jars or bottles, you might need to check through a few containers before finding what you were looking for. Either use different types of bottles for different tools, or just use sticky notes and save some time.

Pegboards

It’s almost impossible to talk about tool storage without mentioning pegboards, as you can find them in most garages and basements. While they can be attached to walls, an interesting idea I’ve stumbled upon is a tool cabinet with pegboard backing. If you’re dedicating a room or a corner to your tools, then be sure to use every possible surface. And if you don’t feel like buying special hooks, try bending straight hooks to create corners. This is useful for your bigger tools that may be awkward to place.

You can also create an improvised pegboard by driving plasterboard screws into a wood plank. However, it may be for the best to solely hook hammers onto this type of pegboard, as it may not be stable enough for heavier equipment.

Magnetic Tool Hanger

We usually put away tools on our desk or hang them on a pegboard, but for craftsmen, even this might not be enough room. The walls are used up, and your desk is already crowded. The chances are high that you haven’t been using the underside of a cabinet or shelf, though. Creating a magnetic tool hanger isn’t difficult, and if you need storage space, it might be just what you were hoping for.

Slatwall

Have you heard of Slatwall? Essentially, it’s a building material made up of horizontal panels with space in between every few inches. While mostly used in stores to hang merchandise, homeowners have started installing Slatwall on garage walls. Why? Well, for the same reason shop owners use them. They’re perfect for presenting equipment and items, and it doesn’t take long to find what you need. Simply hang up a few reliable wire bins, and you’ve found a great way to use your garage or basement wall. And along the way, as you’re using wire bins for your DIY equipment, why not use them for your baking tools as well? If you do, you’ll save yourself the pain of looking through every drawer to find your measuring cup, as it’ll be right in front of you.

String Dispensers

While CDs are officially labeled “old," there’s still a way to use your CD container if you happen to find one lying around. Firstly, you’ll attach the bottom of the container upside down to a shelf. After drilling a hole in the top of the container, place a roll of string into it and screw it back on. If you do this correctly, you’ve made yourself a string dispenser and there’s no way you can misplace your material again. When in need of string, simply snip off how much you need. If you use it up, simply open the container and put in another roll.

Art Storage

It’s important to have a proper place to store our art supplies, as we’ll otherwise have them lying around our bedroom. Some art supplies—paper, for instance, are just fine on a shelf. However, if you’re fond of playing with colored tape, you’ll be impressed by the idea of using a thread rack. While a normal thread rack might be too big for your needs, simply cut it up to your preferred size. If you feel like playing around a bit, saw off pieces of PVC pipes at a 45 degree angle. After that, you can screw them onto a wall, a board, or the side of your cabinet. They’re great for holding markers, pencils, brushes, or anything else!

Many people dabble in DIY and need a place to put away their tools. There is also a great number of craftsmen who use up an entire garage to put away their equipment. In these cases especially, it’s important to use every bit of space we can.