9 Tips for Organizing Tools in Your Garage

1. Take Small Steps Toward Tool Organization

It can be daunting to open the garage door and stare at a cluttered mess. Thinking about what needs to be accomplished can be overwhelming as well. Instead, focus on smaller projects to get the ball rolling. Begin with organizing all of your tools into categories. If you have multiple tape measures, put them all in a bin. Make sure your screwdrivers are together in one bin and the hammers are in their own bin as well.

2. Clean Your Garage

The best workspace is a clean workspace. Once all of the clutter is removed, clean your garage from floor to ceiling. Sweep the floor, dust the workbench, disinfect commonly touched areas, and remove cobwebs and dead bugs. You should also clean your tools as you come across them. You don’t have to soak them in disinfectant, but you should wipe them down.

3. Inventory All of Your Tools

In order to properly organize your tools, as well as other items, you will need to take inventory of everything, as suggested by the pros at Connecticut Closets & Garages in How to Organize A Messy Garage. Going back to tools, keep track of all hand tools, power tools, and larger items like powerwashers, leaf blowers, and edgers. Once you know how many you have of each item, you can begin planning how and where everything will be stored.

4. Install a Workbench

Every organized garage has a workbench. You won't be able to get much done without one. Your workbench can easily become cluttered, so try to keep it as neat as possible. Do not leave tools lying on the bench. Make sure you put them away after each use. Next to your workbench, add Slatwall racks filled with tools. More to come on this helpful accessory later on!

5. Use The Ceiling

When it comes to garages, most people only use the walls and the floor to store items. However, the ceiling makes for a great storage area, especially if your vehicles do not need a lot of overhead clearance. Wayfair.com notes that the ceiling is an untapped resource for most homeowners.

6. Purchase a Rolling Tool Box

Some of the most organized garages have rolling toolboxes. They typically have eight drawers or more and can easily be rolled to any corner of an area. You don’t have to stop at a rolling toolbox. Bob Villa recommends adding rolling cabinets and carts as well.

The more storage areas you have on wheels, the easier it will be to organize your tools and the rest of your garage. If you do a lot of work on your vehicles, lawnmower, or other items, roll the tools right up to the work area.

7. Use Slatwall Racks

Slatwall racks are an excellent feature for a highly organized garage. They can be added to the walls and used to hang bicycles, tools, garden equipment, sports gear (baseball bats, hockey sticks, nets, etc.), and other oddly shaped items. 

8. Don’t Shy Away From Bins

Don’t be afraid to use a lot of bins for organizing tools. Just because you have Slatwall racks and cabinets doesn’t mean bins won’t be effective. In fact, you can use them to separate the following tools and accessories:

• Wrenches
• Pliers
• Ratchet straps
• Paintbrushes
• Painting tape
• Chisels
• Nuts, bolts, screws
• Allen wrenches
• Try to purchase clear bins that allow you to easily see what's inside. If you don’t like clear bins, choose ones that are clearly labeled.

9. Use Magnets

Many people don't realize how easy it can be to store tools with magnets. After all, they hold anything made of metal. You can hang small to medium-sized tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and small hammers with the help of magnets. Using magnets makes it easy to grab a tool quickly without looking through boxes, bins, and drawers.

Final Thoughts

Your garage is an essential part of your home. The more often you use it, the likelier it becomes that items such as tools are strewn on the floor, your workbench, or shoved inside cabinets. Knowing how to organize your tools in the garage is essential if you want to have them looking great and working properly for years to come.

Sources 

• https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-brilliant-garage-organization-ideas-579920
• https://www.ctclosetsandgarages.com/organize-a-messy-garage
• https://www.wayfair.com/