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 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Workshop

 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Workshop

 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Workshop

With a little creativity, you can make the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place” a truism in your workshop. Here are 10 easy-to-implement storage solutions to keep ateliers organized, craft rooms clutter-free, and studios shipshape.

1. Think Inside the Box

Place smaller boxes inside of larger ones to divide them up. This effect is similar to that of using drawer inserts to create dedicated space for folded or rolled clothing. If the box that you are using as the larger container is too tall, cut it down with a utility knife. Think twice before you toss out the box from your next craft-related delivery--it is already the perfect size for what came in it and could come in handy for this storage hack.

2. The Laws of Attraction

Affix magnetic panels or magnetic tool holder bars to unused wall space to hang up tools and other metal items. This eliminates the need for shelving and because the items are displayed flat they are easier to find, grab, and replace. The panels can be fastened to almost any surface and can hold large or oddly shaped tools as heavy as 5 pounds. Combine them to create a utilitarian wall of steel or install panels in a large drawer or tray to stop metallic items from moving around. The tool holder bar is perfect for smaller tools that can be mounted horizontally, vertically or at whatever angle best fits your space. You can also stack them or place them end to end to get the length you need. If you are looking for a lightweight tool bar with a warmer look or a replacement for bulky knife blocks, try a wooden magnetic knife holder . At 12 and 18 inches long they are the perfect way to keep sharp blades visible but safely out the way.

3. For the Short Haul

Choose a large metal basin as an alternative to plastic bins and buckets that wear out easily and are prone to punctures and melting. Our copper and brass basin is sized so that it is comfortable to carry yet deep enough to carry stacks of kindling, papers, or skeins of yarn. The bottom is sealed making it possible to carry liquids so it can transform from storage to a tablescape-worthy ice bucket.

4. Hook Me Up

Hang material and equipment from sturdy forged steel hooks mounted to walls, posts, or any surface that will secure a screw. Single hooks extend two inches from the wall and have a flat back that curves down in one piece to make the hook. There is also a heavy duty U-hook version that screws directly into place and an iron knob for coats, hats, or anything that fits. For more versatility of placement try an iron rack with matching removable hooks. The hooks fit snugly into place so they won’t budge from their position. The 10-hook forge iron folding hanger open and closes accordion-style to fit spaces up to 3 feet and allows for a span to accommodate a range of stud placements.

5. It's a Stick Up

Hook and loop strips with adhesive, often eponymously referred to as Velcro, can help you control cords, wires, and anything that can be bundled. Leave a tail after wrapping the bundle and use the excess material to attach it to any surface covered in Velcro. It works better than tape or string and can be reused endlessly. For some the sound of removing and sticking the tape is a ASMR bonus.

6. Chest Wishes

Put all your tools together in a classic chest of drawers. Gerstner International’s line of finished oak chests and cabinets are built for the shop but have a design that would easily fit into any décor. The drawers and trays, which come in various sizes and configurations, are lined with felt to protect their contents. All models have strong locks and they range from a highly portable small six-drawer model to a stacked chest that matches with a rolling cabinet complete with an extendable folding leaf. For extra credit, make your own Gestner box with a Build Your Own Tool Chest Kit.

7. A Hard Peg to Crack

Pegboards are standard in many home workshops because of their versatility. However, they have earned a bad reputation due to the ubiquity of low quality pegs that leap off the board at the slightest touch. Upgrade your pegboard storage with quality curved, straight, and short span hooks as well as hooks specifically designed for pliers and screwdrivers. These have two anchors to keep them secure so you can set up the board one time and one time only to meet your storage needs. If you desire more pegboard space than your walls can accommodate, mounting pegboards as swinging panels can increase your square footage. ­

8. Pipe Dreams

PVC pipes can be cut and assembled to create inexpensive specialized storage solutions. Assemble them standing up in a crate or other container with a stable base and use them to hold cylindrical and rolled items. Stacked horizontally to resemble a wine rack, cut lengths of pipe can hold contents put inside the opening. Alternatively, if space is left between the pipes, they can be used as large pegs to hold items on spools or to store lengths or rope. Cutting a pipe in half turns it into a shelf with a rounded bottom. Stabilize it to make a storage tray. Using pipe fittings, end caps, and cutting tools you can create any type of storage rack you need. Make slits or holes in a lengthwise pipe to hold screwdrivers. Secure short pipe pieces vertically to store pliers and scissors. With PVC piping the storage possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

9. Yes We Can

Somehow, even after wiping, spray can still drip. That’s why you should store aerosol cans on a lubricant and can shelf . This unit features two shelves and separate holes for each can that keep them separated from one another. It also comes with with a paper towel holder and towel hooks for soiled rags. Any drips from the cans will end up on the shelves saving on the shop floor from paints, oils, and other seeping liquids.

10. Foam, Sweet, Foam

Cut foam or foam core board to create a bespoke drawer organizer to keep tools protected and easy to find. Choose a foam thickness that will work with the items you want to secure and cut it to the size of your drawer or tray. Arrange the items on the foam and either trace them and then cut out the shape or cut around them freehand with a precision craft knife. Remove the cut foam to create inserts to hold each item in place.

Shop Workshop Organization

With a little creativity, you can make the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place” a truism in your workshop. Here are 10 easy-to-implement storage solutions to keep ateliers organized, craft rooms clutter-free, and studios shipshape.

1. Think Inside the Box

Place smaller boxes inside of larger ones to divide them up. This effect is similar to that of using drawer inserts to create dedicated space for folded or rolled clothing. If the box that you are using as the larger container is too tall, cut it down with a utility knife. Think twice before you toss out the box from your next craft-related delivery--it is already the perfect size for what came in it and could come in handy for this storage hack.

2. The Laws of Attraction

Affix magnetic panels or magnetic tool holder bars to unused wall space to hang up tools and other metal items. This eliminates the need for shelving and because the items are displayed flat they are easier to find, grab, and replace. The panels can be fastened to almost any surface and can hold large or oddly shaped tools as heavy as 5 pounds. Combine them to create a utilitarian wall of steel or install panels in a large drawer or tray to stop metallic items from moving around. The tool holder bar is perfect for smaller tools that can be mounted horizontally, vertically or at whatever angle best fits your space. You can also stack them or place them end to end to get the length you need. If you are looking for a lightweight tool bar with a warmer look or a replacement for bulky knife blocks, try a wooden magnetic knife holder . At 12 and 18 inches long they are the perfect way to keep sharp blades visible but safely out the way.

3. For the Short Haul

Choose a large metal basin as an alternative to plastic bins and buckets that wear out easily and are prone to punctures and melting. Our copper and brass basin is sized so that it is comfortable to carry yet deep enough to carry stacks of kindling, papers, or skeins of yarn. The bottom is sealed making it possible to carry liquids so it can transform from storage to a tablescape-worthy ice bucket.

4. Hook Me Up

Hang material and equipment from sturdy forged steel hooks mounted to walls, posts, or any surface that will secure a screw. Single hooks extend two inches from the wall and have a flat back that curves down in one piece to make the hook. There is also a heavy duty U-hook version that screws directly into place and an iron knob for coats, hats, or anything that fits. For more versatility of placement try an iron rack with matching removable hooks. The hooks fit snugly into place so they won’t budge from their position. The 10-hook forge iron folding hanger open and closes accordion-style to fit spaces up to 3 feet and allows for a span to accommodate a range of stud placements.

5. It's a Stick Up

Hook and loop strips with adhesive, often eponymously referred to as Velcro, can help you control cords, wires, and anything that can be bundled. Leave a tail after wrapping the bundle and use the excess material to attach it to any surface covered in Velcro. It works better than tape or string and can be reused endlessly. For some the sound of removing and sticking the tape is a ASMR bonus.

6. Chest Wishes

Put all your tools together in a classic chest of drawers. Gerstner International’s line of finished oak chests and cabinets are built for the shop but have a design that would easily fit into any décor. The drawers and trays, which come in various sizes and configurations, are lined with felt to protect their contents. All models have strong locks and they range from a highly portable small six-drawer model to a stacked chest that matches with a rolling cabinet complete with an extendable folding leaf. For extra credit, make your own Gestner box with a Build Your Own Tool Chest Kit.

7. A Hard Peg to Crack

Pegboards are standard in many home workshops because of their versatility. However, they have earned a bad reputation due to the ubiquity of low quality pegs that leap off the board at the slightest touch. Upgrade your pegboard storage with quality curved, straight, and short span hooks as well as hooks specifically designed for pliers and screwdrivers. These have two anchors to keep them secure so you can set up the board one time and one time only to meet your storage needs. If you desire more pegboard space than your walls can accommodate, mounting pegboards as swinging panels can increase your square footage. ­

8. Pipe Dreams

PVC pipes can be cut and assembled to create inexpensive specialized storage solutions. Assemble them standing up in a crate or other container with a stable base and use them to hold cylindrical and rolled items. Stacked horizontally to resemble a wine rack, cut lengths of pipe can hold contents put inside the opening. Alternatively, if space is left between the pipes, they can be used as large pegs to hold items on spools or to store lengths or rope. Cutting a pipe in half turns it into a shelf with a rounded bottom. Stabilize it to make a storage tray. Using pipe fittings, end caps, and cutting tools you can create any type of storage rack you need. Make slits or holes in a lengthwise pipe to hold screwdrivers. Secure short pipe pieces vertically to store pliers and scissors. With PVC piping the storage possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

9. Yes We Can

Somehow, even after wiping, spray can still drip. That’s why you should store aerosol cans on a lubricant and can shelf . This unit features two shelves and separate holes for each can that keep them separated from one another. It also comes with with a paper towel holder and towel hooks for soiled rags. Any drips from the cans will end up on the shelves saving on the shop floor from paints, oils, and other seeping liquids.

10. Foam, Sweet, Foam

Cut foam or foam core board to create a bespoke drawer organizer to keep tools protected and easy to find. Choose a foam thickness that will work with the items you want to secure and cut it to the size of your drawer or tray. Arrange the items on the foam and either trace them and then cut out the shape or cut around them freehand with a precision craft knife. Remove the cut foam to create inserts to hold each item in place.

Shop Workshop Organization

Written by Garrett Wade

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