“Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” – Thomas Mann
Even the simplest task of hanging a picture on a wall can turn into a hassle if you can’t find your hammer or pack of nails. Now imagine how difficult it would be to complete a project in a workshop if all those tools and hardware were just scattered around with no logical order. What good is having a tool for every job if you can’t find the proverbial one that’s right for the task at hand?
Keeping things neat and organised in the workshop is one of the simplest ways to enhance your efficiency and productivity, and of course, maintain your sanity. We all know how frustrating it can be when you can’t locate a certain essential item, even though you just saw it lying around somewhere. You know you have it, but where is it?
So how do you organise a cluttered workshop? Even if you’re the tidiest person around, without a purpose-designed workshop storage solution in place, you’ll find it difficult to keep your space away from the brink of clutter. As they say, “a place for everything and everything in its place”, here are some great ideas to get organised and streamline your day-to-day tasks.
Functionality at its finest, these sturdy and durable benches provide a stable work surface with additional storage underneath so you can keep the most used tools and accessories at hand. A versatile workshop storage solution that feeds two birds with one scone, it can help you stay organised and save you the hassle of going around looking for the items you need.
Industrial trolleys are compact and space-efficient, but the best thing about them is that you can use them to move your equipment as needed. By your side while you’re working, or out of the way when you don’t, they are as versatile as they come. When shopping for trolleys, you’ll come across various models. Some feature a working surface, some have drawers and shelves for additional storage, and others have both for the ultimate convenience.
These heavy-duty workshop storage units will keep your equipment neatly arranged and easily accessible, with the added benefit of portability. They are easy to move around the space or transported to another location. Roller tool cabinets come in various sizes and configurations, so you’ll easily find something that suits your specific needs.
Leaving tools sitting around unattended isn’t only a safety hazard, but it’s also bad for your gear. A robust and durable tool chest will keep your equipment well-protected from dust and water while preventing accidents. Depending on your needs and budget, you can buy several stackable tool chests to create a custom unit. Some tool chests come equipped with sturdy wheels at the base to allow for easy transportation in and out of the workshop.
Open shelving is yet another type of easy-access workshop storage system that utilises vertical space. A great option when the available floor space is at a premium, vertical open shelving units are all about functionality. Since the items stored on the shelves are easily visible, you can quickly find what you need or check which bits and pieces need to be restocked. This type of shelving can come in both wall-mounted and free-standing configurations, with the latter offering more flexibility should you decide to rearrange your working area.
Another space-saving option, well-suited for workshops and garages. Industrial pegboards are usually made from strong and durable materials like metal or plastic. They feature a perforated surface compatible with various storage accessories such as hooks and hangers, and you can use them to store your hand tools, power tools, and other items that need to be close at hand yet out of the way.
Feeling particularly dexterous? There are plenty of DIY storage ideas on the internet that are budget-friendly too. One of the most popular is the old jar repurpose project that involves using clear empty glass jars and their lids to create hanging storage. You can mount these on the wall or ceiling using ropes or nails.
You can also drill holes in the lids and install them under an existing shelf to maximise its storage capacity. Once the lids are locked in place, place the jar underneath and rotate it as you normally would to close it. This “hack” is extremely useful for sorting and organising all those screws, nails, and bolts you have around your workshop.
It doesn’t matter which idea sounds like something you would consider, each of these suggestions can go a long way in making your workshop a place where productivity thrives. With that being said, you can now get busy shopping or building the ideal storage solution for your needs.