We’re psyched to be a part of Mrs. Limestone‘s “Junk Drawer Overhaul” series, where a few bloggers will be sharing how they’re kicking off the new year right by re-organizing their messy kitchen junk drawers. We bent the rules a little bit and shared how we organized our tool drawers (which are also located in our kitchen). But it wasn’t really a drawer re-organization since our tools had just been piled in the corner of our office after we moved. Nice, right?
You can read more about how our screwdrivers and hammers went from “yikes” to “that works” over on A Brooklyn Limestone In Progress. And an interesting thing happened while organizing our tools. In an act of “taking inventory,” we found ourselves spreading each and every item out on the floor. This was the result. A fun little grid of our DIY arsenal:
Since this sort of tool full monty wasn’t likely to happen again anytime soon, we thought we’d steal the opportunity to give you guys a peek at our little collection. This smorgasbord is comprised of our go-to tools for tackling all sorts of projects and quick-fixes, as well as a few miscellaneous supplies that we’ve subconsciously accrued over the years (why we have two spare toilet supply lines I’ll never know).
Here’s a closer look at each quadrant of our tool-covered rug (yes I said quadrant- I like math, ok?). This one shows most of “the basics” like hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, a crowbar, and a few saws. I realized after snapping the pic that our old scratched up yellow Stanley tape measure was playing hooky in Sherry’s purse.
Next we’ve got our ever-growing and always-diverse collection of nails and screws, as well as putty and spackle knives.
And of course then there are the painting supplies like brushes, rollers, paint trays, stir sticks, paint can openers, drop cloths, and tape. And no, that bundle of rope isn’t a paint supply – it just happened to fit on that part of the rug.
Lastly we’ve got our various tapes, glues, putties, caulks, and even some 3M command hooks. We’ve also got craft paints, brushes, Mod Podge and even a little tube of glitter leftover from making Christmas ornaments a couple of years ago. And those mysterious toilet pipes.
These pictures don’t show our bigger tools like the mouse sander, electric drill/driver, power saws, Kreg Jig, Dremmel, and a whole slew of garden and yard equipment. But hopefully you get the point, because we’re not about to lay those down on the rug.
The funny thing is that our personal collection is by no means a be-all, end-all tool collection. In fact, since snapping this pic a few weeks back I’ve already purchased a $4 set of hex wrenches since a towel-bar-removal project required a size that I didn’t own. And we were out of sandpaper so we had to restock that. We’ve also got some things we could probably get rid of since they’ve been sitting around untouched since the one time we needed them a few years back (this means you glitter tube). But who knows- it might just come in handy again someday…
You can read more about how our tools went from the rug to our kitchen drawers in a semi-organized fashion over on A Brooklyn Limestone. And we’d love to know what your tool collections look like. Are we missing something that’s a major must-have for you? Have you also acquired some pretty random items thanks to that a project that you tackled a while back? Is there Mod Podge in your tool drawer? Do you store your tools in the kitchen? Are there random glitter tubes and toilet supply lines? Let’s talk.
Psst- It had to happen sometime. Last night on an autopilot trip home from (where else?) the hardware store, we accidentally drove to our old house. It was fun to see it and also kind of weird to find ourselves in our old stomping ground.
karen @ our slo house says
Does sharing tools work for you? Can you usually find what you need?
The reason I ask is because although my husband has dozens and dozens of tools, they are rarely organized in a way that makes them easy to find.
So I have my own little tool box. Nothing elaborate, but it contains: tape measure, a hammer, an adjustable screwdriver, a mini-level, a paint can opener, a pencil, and a box of nails for hanging art.
Funny thing is that my husband always comes to me when he needs a tool quickly.
So, I was just wondering how it was in your household. ; )
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Karen,
We share! Seems to work well since John’s actually the brains behind our tool organization effort outlined over on Mrs. Limestone’s blog. He takes pride in his hammers and screwdrivers I guess. Haha. And since we use them so regularly, it’s definitely worth organizing them so they’re easy to find.
xo,
s
Tracy says
I love the pictures! It’s like an I Spy book! Maybe you should make one for Clara. :)
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
We have a LOT of tools and I’m sad to say that none are in any sort of organized order. Some are in our unfinished basement laundry room, others are in our garage in an old dresser, larger ones are just in the garage. We really need to organize our garage, so maybe that will happen this summer…
As for random, someone was fixing something and needed a cotter pin. My mom said, “Hold on. I think I have one in my PURSE.” They thought she was talking about a bobby pin and made some smarty pants comment. They were totally surpirsed when she ACTUALLY had a cotter pin. Random, no?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
Your mom is my hero! It try to have our tape measure on us at all times but no cotter pin…
xo,
s
Aly says
That’s hilarious that you drove “home”.
I think you could make a cool art piece out of your tool photos. They are colorful and so organized. Cool!
Kristina says
The OCD in me loves how you laid everything out by quadrant! I just wanted you to know, you are not alone.
Blessing @ Working Mom Journal says
Wow. My first time here. I am ashamed to say that I have no tools whatsoever. Hubs bought an hammer yesterday, I guess that counts for something. I am bent on learning this year about home improvements and decor. Thanks for sharing.
amy says
Do your screwdrivers, etc. roll around in the drawers when opening and closing?
My husband took some cupboards off his contractor father (that had been ripped out of a kitchen), refinished them, and made them “industrial” looking and hung them in the garage for a workbench an storage. He used the drawyers for screwdrivers, etc. but they kept rolling around. Trip to Target solved it with buying that rubbery drawer lining stuff.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
They don’t seem to unless we jam the drawer open at lightning speed. We could always lay down some of that grippy ribbed plastic drawer liner stuff to keep things more in place. But so far they’re doing ok.
xo,
s
Meg says
When we first started renovating our bathroom we started out with just 2 hammers and to screw drivers to take down the tile. We then upgraded to a crowbar and we thought that was incredible…until we got the Sawzall. We didn’t look back! And actually for Christmas, we got a Drummel, which has been a really handy tool for us, especially for me because I find the Sawzall powerful and scary. The Drummel I can handle!
Corinne says
Finally cleaning up, clearing out, and organizing my garage is on my to-do list for the first warm day of the year. I have boxes that still need to unpacked, and if I need any sort of tool? It’s a nightmare. I think once everything is organized, I’ll be able to figure out what tools I’m missing and need to purchase. I think that’s part of the reason I haven’t done much around my house – I don’t know what tools I have!
Funny story though….I have tools in every room in my house. A hammer in the kitchen, screwdrivers in the office, paint trays in the guest room, just to name a few!
Angie says
These pictures make me so jealous–I bought one of those short-handle brushes for painting that you all recommended and loved it! After I forgot to clean it, it is completely ruined & I can’t find that same one anywhere. Oh how I miss that brush:(
thecounselormom says
Wow! That is amazing you were able to organize your drawer and all of your tools! It amazes me how much you are all able to do with a baby at home. I have an 8 month old and it’s hard for me to find the time to unload the dishwasher at times! :) You guys are inspiring!
Meghan says
Ever since moving into my first house a little over a year ago, I’ve been steadily acquiring a strange assortment that I’ve come to call my “odds and ends”. It includes really random tools and screws that were really only useful for one project, as well as larger pieces of materials like dryer vent tubing and extra lengths of door weather-stripping. I’ve been dumping it all in a box in the guest room, and admittedly ignoring it. This post has inspired me to go sort it all out and DO something with it!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
I am married to a mechanic…we have many more tools than that. I keep my own tools in the house though…you don’t touch a mechanic’s tool box! :)
Amy says
I love to hear about a fellow chick who keeps a tape measure in her purse. :)
Tanya says
You two are too funny. I love that you created quadrants.
~tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com
Irene says
We keep a tape measure and some smaller screw drivers in one drawer but otherwise, we need tool boxes and someday we’ll get DH a real big one you see in Tim Taylor’s garage. Currently have a kitchen storage wrack in the basement that he fitted with peg boards on the sides (hammers, screw drivers, etc). Each shelf has their own stuff like one shelf for plumbing/electrical/painting/misc house and bottom is all the power tools. Most everything else we need are for the cars so we have tool boxes in the garage.
If we brought in all his tools to the kitchen, we could fill up a majority of our precious cabinet space.
Jen_nifer says
Modge Podge is with the tools? I think you should definitely keep the glitter, but put it away with craft supplies for when Clara is a couple of years older, she will love it!
I have a hard time figuring out if my embroidery floss should stay with my scrapbooking supplies or my sewing supplies.
I have a couple of screwdriver sets that are laid out on peg board, and despite the fact that my husband has his own, he goes for mine everytime. Just so easy to find exactly what he’s looking for. It takes a lot of space, but definitely works!
Leah says
I noticed super sliders in the picture. We recently moved a hutch from our dining room by sliding it over carpet (I am too weak to lift it). We have since had the carpet removed and are having hard wood floors put in. Do you like the sliders? Is it something you leave under the furniture once it is moved into place?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Leah,
Those were a moving gift from John’s parents but they really came in handy for sliding things across the hardwood floors without scratching them- we even used them to move Ed the bed when we painted the bedroom. Once things are in place we take them off the sliders and put them back in the drawer.
xo,
s
Mike @HA says
I recently reorganized my tools too! I used to have them nicely laid out on pegboard in the basement but I got so tired of walking up and down two flights of stairs every time I forgot a tool. Instead of keeping them on the wall, I put them in different tool boxes based on what I use them for – electrical, soldering, general house stuff. etc. The general house one is great, it have the standard tools I need for almost any project so I just carry the whole box with me and never need to do the walk of shame back to the basement :)
Karrie says
Well, it’s not the kitchen, but we keep our tools in the dining room. Right below our fancy silverware. Our garage is detached and we quickly realized that 1) I don’t go out there to look for tools (that’s hubby’s domain and he keeps it messy) and 2) tools we used often kept ending up in the house anyway so it made sense to keep them inside. The dining room is the only place where we had spare drawers and it turns out to be a nice central location.
Amanda says
My fiance received a large rolling tool box for christmas. I have no idea what all he has, but he always has what I need minus a bunch of saws. We usually rent those.
Kristen says
I seriously want to print out the pictures of your tool quadrants and frame them! That’s some art right there!
Annie Lee says
My poor husband. During the first year of our marriage, our just-starting supply of tools was kept in a pink plastic basket. That’s right. Pink. Honestly, I don’t think it even had to endure a year. It wasn’t my hubby, but ME who finally put her foot [scratch off] high-heel down and bought a big-boy tool box. He’s very easy going, though. He would have kept his tools in a sachet if he had to. (But I’m more than relieved that he didn’t!)
Kellie says
I blame a career as an auto mechanic for this, but I have a rule against getting rid of tools. Unless it’s a duplicate of something really, really off the wall and random, odds are, you’ll use it again – even if you don’t use it for its intended purpose. Even duplicates of things you really only need one of, like pliers or screwdrivers can come in handy because having an extra one around means that if you need to modify one to suit the job, you can.
My other rule is that if I used a tool once, it has paid for itself. Unless, of course, it’s a $2000 tool that allowed me to complete a job that I got paid $200 for (or in your case, a job that would have cost you $200 to pay someone else to do).
Ethan says
I’m not at all surprised to see a Stanley Wonder Bar there; what a great tool! I augment it with a proper 36″ crowbar for framing work, though.
I want to pass along a little tip that my dad passed to me by way of a gift when we were in the middle of one of our many remodels. It’s a tool I would never have just picked up on my own, but experience is wise, for sure: a 3lbs “drilling” hammer. The particular model I have is an Estwing, and while it is certainly true that not all hammers are created equal, I’m sure there are other good ones out there. I find myself using that drilling hammer for just about everything but driving nails (for which I use a regular 16oz claw hammer). I use it for “disassembling” recalcitrant fixtures, for drifting lumber before fixing it in place, for driving chisels and punches, you name it. The heavier head and broad striking surface reduce the effort required for many tasks, while also reducing the velocity of the hammer and spreading out the impact on a larger area, making it less likely that you’ll damage what you’re striking (in an unexpected way — it’s also great for just beating the tar out of a 2×4 that isn’t responding to less persuasive means of removal!). It’s a wonderful addition to the DIY-er’s toolbox.
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
I wish we had extra drawers in our kitchen for tools. It would make things sooooo much easier. Right now hubby has a tool box under the stairs in our cubby hole I call it and it’s not easy to get to at all, but it’s where we have room for it. Maybe one day we will think of a better way or figure out a better place for them. Then the bigger tools are in the shed. It’s not ideal, but it works for us for right now. We don’t have a garage or a basement so our large shed and the cubby hole are it for us. (we have an attic for long term stuff ;) )
My hubby actually has one smaller tool box that has everything “electrical” in it. That stays in the shed because we don’t need it that often, but I don’t know how we collected all that stuff in 3 years.
Shelby says
Question for you, would you consider writing a post on your bigger power tools, and what you use them for? The reason I ask is that I would like to make the investment, so that we can cut out own crown molding etc, but I have no idea which tool does what. A tutorial would be most helpful!
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Shelby,
We’d love to! We’ll add it to our (admittedly very long) list!
xo,
s
katie n says
We have been remodeling our home for about 3 years now and have acquired all kinds of tools (my husband is a mechanic who LOVES QUALITY tools). We have a Bosch reciprocating saw (can’t live without it!!!), Bosch drill, Bosch impact driver (Dave says THIS has been great for running large 3″ screws into the wall to hold up our new kitchen cabinets that we built, etc.), Bosch pocket screw driver, Kreg Jig (we LOVE this!), sander that runs off the air compressor (which is awesome to have…), Dewalt miter saw, Dewalt table saw, Dewalt planar, Bosch jig saw, painting supplies, drywall tools, wood putty, drywall mud, etc, etc, etc. (a lot of the stuff you showed in your pic).
HOWEVER, we have hardly any organization. Right now it is all piled in our living room in plastic tubs. We do have them sorted and labeled: Plumbing, electrical, etc. That helps. We also have one of these
http://www.lowes.com/pd_264125-1492-1L-22601_4294857658_4294937087_?productId=1076021&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Bags%2BCases%2Band%2BBucket%2BStorage_4294857658_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1
to organize screwdrivers, putty knives, tape measure, etc. It is awesome! We did repurpose some plastic drawer things that we used to have in our closets to organize screws, nails, sand paper, paint rollers and brushes, etc. That was very helpful. Our living room is the last room that we will remodel. Right now it is more of a staging area for all our other rooms. I am desperately trying to come up with a plan for when it is done so we have a place to put all our tools. I think they may end up in cabinets or the closet in our laundry room. But it sure is a lot of stuff to store!
Emily @ Merrypad says
I love this!! I’ll have to share with Pete. We’ve been hard at work building work benches and gardening tables in the basement and are still working to come up with the most logical organization ON those tables. Here’s one of the links (with some good tips how to build a nice table!):
http://www.merrypad.com/2011/01/12/building-my-workbench/
Jess (Sweet Potato) says
We have a few tools, only the necessary one for hanging pictures etc. But we JUST got a power drill for a wedding present and its SO nice! It makes me feel like… what the heck did I ever do without one??
Melissa says
The tape measure in the purse – you should have one to keep there! I totally have a tape measure that is dedicated to my purse. It’s a small 12-footer that came with a tool set. Seemed useless until it made its way to the purse and has since proven itself incredibly useful. Most recently, we measured our car versus a large purchase to make sure we could haul it home, which I’m sure sounds familiar to you guys. It comes in handy for any sort of home-related shopping!
Jen K says
Great re-org! Have you thought about lining the drawers with that foam shelve liner stuff meant to keep glasses from chipping? It keeps things in place much better than the slippery wood drawer bottoms. Since you will probably be opening and closing those drawers a lot, it may be worth it to prevent the tools from rolling all over. Just a thought : )
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jen,
That’s so funny- we were just mentioning that a few comments back!
xo,
s
Rachel says
I carry a tape measure with me at all times too! I picked that up from my mom. You never know when you might want to measure something!
My mom also carries a screwdriver with her too. That seems a bit excessive to me, but she’s used it before.
Julia M. says
Hahaha! Tool Academy is a REALLY funny show–and also kinda sad because those guys really are tools and totally giving the handyman’s accessories a bad name! Way to do an excellent job redeeming tools everywhere!!!
http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/
MS says
Thanks for laying out all your tools like that. We have zillions of hand me down tools, a few we don’t even know what they are or why we’d need them. Perhaps its time for us to have a severe paring down session. Its all organized at least! Including the box of “plumbing parts” that were purchased, cut and not actually needed on accident. Why are we keeping those?!?!
Jen says
Drawers look great…just wait until the first time Clara moves the location of your screw drivers! We installed magnetic “tot lok”s in our kitchen to keep curious fingers out, they worked the best for us, all the other child proofing devises were figured out by the one year old in 30 seconds! They take some time and elbow grease to install but are totally worth it!!
http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Home-Safety/Latches-Locks/Details/110-71175-Tot-Lok-Deluxe-Starter-Set
Amanda says
Our house came with a workshop in the garage (it’s a one car garage, but is the size of a two car), so that’s where our tools live. I do think we need to be better organized, though. We have so much stuff that things are starting to migrate. We’d love to get a rolling tool chest at some point, so we may hit up some auctions the summer.
sarah (sarah learns) says
want to hear a really bad autopilot moment? driving to your boyfriend’s house, arriving at your EX-boyfriend’s house & getting out of your car and almost up the walkway before you realize what the H*** you’r doing. it was AWFUL! no one was home, but it was one of those moments where your heart falls into your stomach & starts beating really quickly.
i hope your autopilot moment was more pleasant than that! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wow Sarah, that totally wins! Hope it never happens again!
xo,
s
Harinee says
Haha! The Brangelina of DIY home improvement-That is soooo fitting! You’re the “IT” couple
Ashley @ Simply Creative Things says
I love the tool organization! Unfortunately like some of the others mentioned, my husband is also in charge of our tools/garage area. He organizes like once a year and it takes about a week for it to be a mess again. Here’s to hoping this year he’ll let me help so hopefully we can come up with a system that will last!
Amanda says
Oh, and as far as finding random tools, I was once at a wedding where the favors were lottery tickets. As everyone was searching for a coin to use on the tickets, I discovered I had a paint can opener in my purse.
Hanna says
Great post! I may have to tackle my husband’s tool collection and make some order out of it. Tools keep getting put away, then moved to storage, and new tools bought when the old ones can’t be found. I’ve lost track of the number of tool boxes that have been purchased to hold these extra tools.
I was actually crass enough to stuff my own stocking this year. Santa gave me my very own purse-sixed measuring tape. /grin
In addition to the measuring tape in your purse, do you carry anything that records your house measurements? Or do you just eye-ball things and take them back if they don’t fit?
I have been thinking lately of measuring everything in my house and keeping it with me at all times so that if I run across a piece of furniture or storage basket I love I will know instantly if it will fit in X,Y,Z spot. But I am not sure of the most efficient way to keep these measurements. In a little note book? AutoCAD drawings of each room, furniture placement, sizes ect.? An app for that? /ponder
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Hanna,
I actually keep a little sheet of paper that says things like “max dresser wall space” and “max side table space” on it. It’s not everything, but it seems to help!
xo,
s
Alexandra says
I am guilty of sneaking away from my job to take a peek at what you’re doing today. As I ignore the emails about order revisions, I see that you have our fasteners layed out! GripRite is my company’s brand. Ahh, as nerdy as this is, it also gives me great joy. And has convicted me that I probably should be working.
Jenn L says
oh tool academy…. The name says it all ;) insanity.
My husband is totally jealous of your tool collection. We are def. lacking half the stuff we will need for the new house. I know who to borrow from now! =)
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
Allie says
tool academy…a friend of mine was on that first season. seriously. bahahahahaaha
tricia says
A stud finder…i didn’t see one, but i am sure you have one somewhere!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tricia,
John’s my stud and my stud finder. Seriously! We used to have a little stud finder thing but it never worked very well but John does this knocking thing and seems to always find a stud that way. He’s 100% accurate!
xo,
s
Kali says
Okay… is that a wall-corner-spackle-knife? I don’t know what you call it but it looks like it smooths puddy applied to the corners of walls and it’s located next to your other puddy knives. I ask because I am in need of repairing a section of the wall in the bathroom that’s on a corner and wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish this with my large case of OCD and just a small puddy knife.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kali,
Yes! That came in handy during our bathroom reno in our first house. We didn’t even know they existed before then!
xo,
s
Cara says
Loved your guest post. Were you aware that you two are considered the Brangelina of DIY?! That is great! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Mrs. Limestone cracks us up. We’re blushing over here.
xo,
s
Krystal says
I wish my step-dad was this good at organizing his tools. The man lives at Sears Hardware (literally, he goes there everyday to see if they’ve changed anything) and brings home screwdriver set upon screwdriver set…but they are all just piling on top of his workbench. It puts me in a cold sweat just looking at it.
I’ve carried a pair of scissors in my purse at all times since middle school, and people think I’m strange for it, but they sure don’t complain when they need a pair of scissors and I got ’em! lol. They have got me stopped at the occasional sporting event/amusement park/airport though…apparently scissors are a weapon of some sort.
Jessica D. says
Two of my ten kitchen drawers are filled with tools! I guess it is something I picked up from my dad (who also stored his go-to tools in the kitchen)but I love that I have them close at hand. I do keep the rest of my tools in the laundry room or my storage shed, but having some screwdrivers, pliers, zipties, wood glue, etc. in the kitchen always comes in handy!