7 Ways to Organize Your Tools

There’s more to consider than just size and storage space when choosing a tool cabinet or tool chest.

• Large steel cabinets and chests work best in garages and workshops as storage solutions for large tool sets and collections.
• Be on the lookout for deep sliding drawers to hold bulky power tools and accessories. Drawers are often fully extendable and padded to protect tools and prevent them from sliding around.
• Select a tool cabinet or chest featuring shallow trays or drawers for easy access to hand tools and small parts, such as wrenches and drill bits.
• Tool box drawer liners help protect drawers and hardware. Liners are included with some models or sold separately.
• Many tool cabinets and chests have heavy-duty, lockable casters or wheels. These provide mobility when you need it and offer stability when you don’t.
• Models with heavy-duty welded steel construction are very durable.
• Integrated locks help keep your tool collection secure.
• Look for convenience features such as surge protectors, tool box organizer trays and USB charging ports.
• Save space and opt for stackable stationary chests that fit over matching wheeled cabinets. You can purchase the pieces separately or together as tool chest combos.

Tool boxes store the tools you need for your projects and make it easy to get them to the project site. They can also reduce clutter and make great workshop organizers. Here are some portable tool box designs and features to consider.

• Plastic tool boxes are lightweight, while steel tool boxes offer extra durability.
• Cantilever trays or bins spread outward when open, giving you a clear view of the interior of the tool box and easy access to its contents.
• Sliding drawers on large boxes may feature a tool organizer to enable you to quickly locate tools for your DIY jobs, automotive work or woodworking projects.
• Some boxes include removable trays and inserts, so you don’t need to use the entire tool box.
• Portable tool boxes with wheels and extendable handles make it easier to transport heavy tools.
• Lockable tool boxes help keep the contents secure.

For tips on stocking your tool box, watch our video What Should I Put in My Tool Box?

Stackable tool boxes give you flexible tool storage solutions.

• Modular tool boxes on wheels are highly mobile and can include both small boxes and larger, deeper storage. 
• Portable tool boxes with modular designs make it convenient to take small hand tools and larger power tools to your home improvement project. 
• Stackable tool boxes have latches to secure the storage space. 
• Some stackable storage includes multiple boxes; others accommodate boxes purchased separately.
  
• Available removable trays and drawers allow quick access to your tools.

Remember the following when choosing a tool bag:

• Padded handles and adjustable shoulder straps improve comfort.
• Open main compartments offer space for larger tools, such as drills, saws or hammers.
• Smaller internal and external pockets, loops and trays turn the bag into a tool organizer and storage system making sure hand tools and other items organized and easy to find.
• Zipper closures help protect tools from the elements and keep them contained.
• Open-mouth designs provide added visibility of your tools.
• A backpack tool bag gives you hands-free portability.
• A rolling tool bag with an extendable handle gives you a great way to transport a lot of tools from one project to another.

When browsing truck tool boxes, think about details like security and sizing the box to your pickup truck bed.

• Heavy-duty steel truck boxes provide durability.
• Aluminum truck boxes resist rust.
• You can find crossover truck boxes that span the width of the truck bed and side mount truck boxes that run along the sides of the bed.
• Self-lifting shocks make it easy to open the box, even if your hands are full.
• Lockable lids provide necessary security.
• Lids with seals help keep out moisture and dirt.

When designing a pegboard tool storage solution, keep in mind that:

• Wall-mounted multi-tool-hanger designs keep your tools within easy reach while saving garage floor space. Check out Cleaning and Painting Garage Floors for tips on how to clean up once the tools are on the walls.
• Pegboard kits that include hooks, hangers and a pegboard are easy to reconfigure or rearrange and can be expanded as your tool collection grows.

See Garage Storage and Organization Ideas for more tips on keeping everything where it belongs.

Work Benches: These provide a stable surface for your projects; some include storage drawers and trays as well as built-in pegboards for hooks and hangers.
Garage Cabinets: These storage units offer deep drawers, and adjustable shelves are a perfect way to store larger tools and accessories.
Tool Belts: Store your most-used tools using a tool belt with simple buckle-on pockets or belt-and-suspender models that improve the weight distribution of your tools.
Garden Tool Holders: If you’re looking for ideas for organizing a garden shed, there are lots of garden equipment storage products available, including multi-tool hangers, metal hooks and baskets and more.