Steps to organising your tools

If you have a stash of tools, whether they live in a shed, garage or workshop, keeping them organised is the key to happier and more efficient diy tasks. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing you have the relevant tool but have no idea where you last put it and having to buy a duplicate. Here are some handy tips to help you keep everything neatly organised:

Image credit

  1. Be committed

Before you can organise your tools, you need to gather everything together in one place and commit to sorting them out. Ideally, the goal is to know exactly what you have, where they are stored and the most used items easily accessible.

One idea is to make or buy a pegboard for tools to hang on. Alternatively, you can get some drawers or a cabinet for your workspace and keep smaller items organised in there.

  1. Declutter and Clean

Before installing drawers, cabinets or pegboards it’s sensible to completely declutter your workspace and give it a good clean. To keep everything in tip top condition, you’ll also want to commit to a regular tidy and clean of the area – say, once a fortnight or once a month for example. The more often you keep on top of this, the less you’ll need to do each time. Always discard of rubbish, recycle containers and keep loose nails and washers in a Tupperware box for example. If you’re not sure about whether to keep certain items, put them in a box, store them for a month and then toss if you haven’t used it.

Image credit

  1. Logical organisation

Set aside a separate home for every item and make sure the area is appropriate space-wise. Will an item be better hanging on a wall or in a drawer? The layout you choose needs to be logical but work for you, and make sure you keep your most-used items closest to you for easy access. Group similar items together too, so you always know where to find your tools. This is a great time for recognising any gaps in your toolbox. For a wide range of everyday tools, try an Online DIY Store like https://www.gofixdirect.co.uk/

  1. Getting the right storage

Choosing the right storage doesn’t have to be expensive. You probably have items lying around that could do the job for you. For example, old kitchen cupboards with the doors removed, a disused chest of drawers or a second-hand serving trolley on wheels. As long as you can find something with adequate space and sturdy enough, it can be used to store tools.

Put aside items that you only use occasionally, perhaps to be placed in the loft or shed, so they don’t crowd your working space and get mixed up with your often-used equipment.