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.
PatC says
Thanks so much for the tutorial on organizing the tool storage. I love the way you grouped the like items together. I especially like your ‘stick things together drawer’; it just makes sense. I’m going to definitely steal that one.
Making an organized home for my tools is on my January to do list, so I really appreciate having some insight to your process. However unlike yours, mine will reside in my walk-in laundry closet (nice little multi-task closet in my 950 sq ft condo).
Gina says
We are in the midst of organizing tools as well…they are currently living in the guest bedroom.
So, we have a good mix of small hand tools, but are looking into getting a table saw. Any recommendations on what to look for? We have a cordless drill, but no power tools other than that and we’re a little nervous!
Gina says
And I didn’t mean table saw…I meant power saw. We’re not read for a table saw yet.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Gina,
We have a DeWalt one that we borrow sometimes. It’s great!
xo,
s
Hyeson says
John and Sherry – this thought occurred to me when I read about tools in the kitchen in your last house, too. Are you concerned that your tool dreawers will be great exploration spot for Clara when she can stand? My daughter is almost 3 and still loves to help reorganize my cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen where most things are at her height. I just recently un-baby-proofed some of my kitchen cabinets since she listens when I ask her not to do things, but depending on how busy Clara wants to be, those drawers will need to be locked! If you find a babyproof tool for those big drawers that work well, let us know. Those plastic clip thingies…. not as smart as my two-year-old.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Hyeson,
We’ll just put baby locks on anything that’s dangerous when she can reach them until she’s old enough to know better. Safety first!
xo,
s
Michelle T says
I have just recently moved back to the town where I grew up. My husband and I bought a house and have been having fun doing some of our own reno’s. after reading that you guys accidently drove to your old house I laughed out loud for real. I have been known to end up at my mom and dad’s house after driving on auto pilot from work/the store/whatever. I haven’t lived there in almost 10 years but It’s all just so familiar. I usually drive by but sometimes I go in for a visit since I’m already there.
matti says
Hey guys,
Love the blog, my friend Maggie introduced me to yall and I swear you are stealing my life! Haha! I feel like I have an idea and then I see it on the blog, I LOVE it! All the fun while yall do all the work, jk. Way to go on your success with this blog!
Question: I loved seeing all your tools but I was desperately trying to figure out what kind of rollers yall get, like exactly. Can yall tell us what brand and fluffiness level for your basic drywall roller. Thanks! I am painting my first nursery, due in May! Keep up the great work!
from NC w/ love, matti
YoungHouseLove says
We get those nice Purdy two-packs from Home Depot. The ones for flat/smooth surfaces. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
BeccaMarie says
Great collection! I might have missed it, but have you thought about getting a multi-tool? I have the craftsman compact cordless multi-tool and love it! It has attachments for scraping, sanding, grinding, cutting and has a hose attachment to use it with a shop vac when sanding so there’s very little dust. And it has a 30 minute quick charge to full battery & it’s super lightweight. It’s definitely cut down the amount of tools I need for all the refinishing projects I have. Rockwell & Fien also make them but I don’t know if they have any cordless versions
YoungHouseLove says
We must admit that we’re pretty happy with our tool stash, but we’ll have to check those out. Thanks for the suggestion!
xo,
s
Daphne Rhode says
Follow up:
No, sorry, I meant the other wall, the one with the clothes pegs!
Here is my question again:
Can you tell me what holds up your card display over the sofa in first house office?
Thanks!
Reply
YoungHouseLove says:
January 19, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Hey Daphne,
Here’s a post all about that: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/07/office-progress-getting-our-art-groove-on/
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry about that Daphne! The string of flashcards is tied on either end to some ceramic pig-shaped hooks we bought at a local store here in Richmond. You can see pics of them up close in this post on BabyCenter: http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/cheap-easy-art-wall-idea-times-three/
-John
nicole says
Hello!
i want to buy a Kreg jig, but now i´m a little overwhelmed. there are quite a lot different versions. can you recommend one? i would say i´m a beginner in the woodworking kind of thing. sorry for the bad english. i´m from germany and except for reading some blogs there are not much possebilities to practice. i just recently found your blog in the internet and i love it. thank you very much.
YoungHouseLove says
We just have the basic $99 model and bought a few extra clamps for it since they seem to help!
xo,
s
Charlie says
We have a handful of common tools like screwdrivers and pliers in our kitchen. Its nice to have these close by when you need them (which is quite often). Bigger items like saws and power tools stay in the garage though.