Hammer out a way to find your tools
A designated space for each and every thing will save you so much stress
Hand tools are usually nowhere near the list of home organizing priorities. But the thing about tools? When you need one, you need it now.
In most households, tools are not stored in just one place; some are in the garage, others in the basement, a few things in a shed and others shoved into random closets or drawers. This is frustrating when you’re motivated to get something done but can’t find something you’re pretty sure you own. Some organizing strategies:
Location: It makes sense to keep some basic tools where you use them most. Have a hammer, screw driver, tape measure, flashlight and picture hangers on every floor of the home.
The decision about where to keep other tools, including larger, hand-held tools such as saws, drills and other power tools and wrenches, as well as smaller pieces of hardware such as screws, nails and washers, should be based on where they will be used the most. Whether that’s a shed, garage or the basement depends on where you have the space to store them safely.
The tendency is often to tuck tools away in a corner of the basement or outside in a shed — where they’re hard to get. Keep them somewhere well-lit and inside. And as with all home organizing, try to have a designated space for everything.
Storage options: Wherever you decide to store tools, some type of shelving will be useful. There are different sizes and varieties that can accommodate large tools and bins filled with smaller tools and supplies. Many also come with hooks to store saws, cords, a level, etc. Adjustable shelves will give you the most flexibility to store other things if you don’t need the whole unit for tools.
Stackable bins are ideal for maximizing the space on your shelves to allow for quick access to tools and small hardware. Label each one with its contents to ensure items are put away so you can see at a glance what you have. If you want to have something portable, such as a small tool box or tool caddy, it can also be stored on the shelves and will be easy to load and unload as needed. Painting and gardening tools: Paint supplies such as rollers, pans and painters’ tape can be stored in a labelled bin.
Experts recommend putting the original covers back on clean paint brushes and storing them either hanging up or lying flat. If you no longer have the original packaging, wrapping the brush in a paper towel will work. Store paint cans in places where the temperature doesn’t get too hot or too cold — so not next to the dryer in the laundry room or next to the heater in a utility room. And probably not in a garage or shed, where temperatures vary. Furniture hardware: If you’re going to keep the extra pieces that come with a new piece of furniture, put them in a plastic zip bag with assembly instructions and label the bag.