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.
Begoña says
Amazing colection! Does your old house look any kind different now? What did you feel passong by?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Begoña,
They added a big privacy fence (6 feet tall) around the whole backyard for their bigger dog, but otherwise it looks the same!
xo,
s
Sheila says
LOL… I just read pssst… LOL It had to happen, I’m actually surprised it took you this long. It’s happened to all of us. Funny feeling, huh!
Lisa says
Our tools mostly live in our bedroom closet. I use a “sweater shelf” to hold the tool boxes – they range from the plastic set of drill bits to my tool box to a shoe box I used to sort random nails, putty, and glues. And my drill fits perfectly between the bottom built-in shoe cubby and the support for my husbands handing bar.
There are a few tools in the shed too but there is (intentionally) at least a screwdriver on every floor in our house. There is one in the kitchen behind my coupon sorter and one in a mail sorter in the living room. Anything needs tightening or prying open and I’m set.
Oh, and there are tools in the trunks of both cars. I may have more tools than shoes.
Kathleen says
Doesn’t everyone carry a tape measure in their purse? My husband sometimes calls me a Girl Scout since I’m prepared for anything. We just bought a new paint tray at Lowe’s that
is Teflon coated, it’s a dream. Highly recommend it and wwish I had thought of it. Whenever we do a large project we use a pplastic storage tub to keep all the tools in that we are using on the project. That way at the end of the night I can start cleaning everything up while the hubs puts the finishing touches on for the day.
annabelvita says
@Hanna, there toally is an app for that, that I think seems like a good idea.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/my-measures-dimensions/id325962257?mt=8&affId=1503186
(although I’m in the “scribbled notes in diary” category myself. Sometimes with drawings for dimensions!
@younghouselove my favourite tool is a beautiful hammer than my mum bought me when i lived in france – the first real tool I owned. And my electric drill that my dad left behind as a surprise in my bedroom when he stayed with my one time.
Anjuli says
I have a question about your Dremmel– My husband purchased one, but ended up returning it because on his first time using it he burned the cutting bit up without actually getting any cutting done on some pine wood. He didn’t think it was doing a satisfactory job. Do you like yours; should he try again? He really wanted to like it, could the one he had been defective and it really is as amazing as he’d like to believe?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Anjuli,
So sorry to hear about that- maybe it was defective. I love ours!
-John
Irene says
Coolio!
I love tools. However, I just wish I wasn’t so anxious about using the power tools.
Erin says
The phrase “scandalous man panties” made me laugh way too hard.
Lori says
When I was complaining to a coworker that I’d outgrown a small toolbox I’d bought in college to store my tools, he suggested dedicating that toolbox to a specific task. It’s now my spackling/painting toolbox. When I start that job I have everything I need in one place. It’s fantastic!
marie says
Hmm. This is, of course, an excellent idea. I’m thinking I may have to organize all our weird tools lying around the house. You guys are all kinds of inspiration! Once I resist the urge to glass-etch all the glass in my house, anyway. :)
Patti says
My husband’s tools and machines have not only taken over the entire garage but spill over into the basement willy-nilly. I gave up trying to find even a hammer when I needed one, so I have a small tool box inherited from my mom that holds the basics. On a different note, do you re-use your paint rollers or use them once and throw away. Also, have you noticed on home improve shows lately that many are using the smaller size paint rollers like the ones you have (not the mini-size but slightly larger). I wondered if maybe there’s an advantage to the smaller roller over the larger one.
Ashley says
I am sad to say I watched both seasons of tool academy. That show was a great trainwreck! :)
I am seriously jealous of your tool collection! I feel like every time we start something we’re at home depot, and $30 later a little job turned not so little! I look forward to the day when we have MOST things needed for a job and we can just make it happen without the trip to the depot.
amy good house says
I actually think it’s perfectly normal to store tools in the kitchen – I do it and my parents always did it too! I am always grabbing a screwdriver or tape measure and the kitchen is much handier than the basement for all those frequently-used items.
Elizabeth says
Too funny…I watched that show a couple of times and I also re-organized my “junk” drawer this week. It looks soooo much better and actually closes easily now!
And Kathleen…my friends tease me that I have a Mary Poppins bag because they never know what I will pull out of there…they also think I would be a big winner on the old “Let’s Make a Deal” lol!
Jennifer B. says
I also have a question about your Dremel. I’m considering purchasing one (mainly for sanding projects, but it would be useful to have around otherwise). Which model do you have?
Jennifer B.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jennifer,
It’s the Dremel Trio. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
Also…don’t know if you have one, but ELECTRIC STAPLE GUN…BEST.PURCHASE.EVER. Seriously, any re-upholstering is now a dream. The one I have is also a nail gun, but I haven’t used it as such, yet.
Ana Silva says
It is so funny that you all just did this too. I organized all our tools and stuff just Monday (17 jan 11). I was in this crazy let me clean up and organize mode…almost every second I get I am like that. I just couldn’t fully relax knowing that our garage was a total mess. I cleaned out the garage finally after doing all the major work in the bathroom and kitchen and organized it as well. It felt so good once I was done. The time was perfect, my husband was sick so I could just do that without being bothered or feeling guilty for not spending my free time with him. Anyways, we keep all our tools in the garage. We too have a huge aray of tools be man do they come in handy. I also organize them by the “purpose” they serve. I had fun I have to say. Well ya’ll be easy.
Bethany says
Glad you posted this! I actually started a little Tool School (focusing on power tools) and the first topic was an air compressor and nail gun – http://remodelthishouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/rth-tool-school-air-compressor-and-nail.html
Love y’all’s site!
Rhiannon says
I’d be no where without my staple gun! The baby helps me with just about everything!
Kiran says
Glad you posted this as a reminder for me to organize our tools as all. Aww… So sweet, you guys drove to your old home :)
Sarah@grownupnow says
Man it looks like you guys had your hands full with all those tools. I’m hoping your methods can help me similarly organize my mountain art supplies!
Ann says
I loved the post and how “artistic” your layout was. I just wanted to give you a word of caution about filling the drawers with tools. After 32 years of marriage, I have exactly enough tools to look well organized in a kitchen drawer. And then the drawer broke! The plastic piece that held the track onto the back of the cabinet couldn’t support the weight. So now my tools live in a bucket under the laundry sink:( Better luck to you!!
kristin says
@ Kahtleen – I carry a small 6 foot keychain tape measure in my purse often – mainly for measuring accessories when im looking for something specific :)
I dont have junk drawers in my kitchen because that is prime real estate, but I do keep my hammer, nails, glues, etc. and other junky stuff like envelopes, batteries, etc. in little clear stackable bins in a cabinet beneath my drawers.
torrie says
this post is a perfect example of how effortless you guys make blogging and organizing look! it’s like you just stumble on interesting topics to post from your daily life…like “oh, we just happened to be doing this and we thought we’d share!” and who in their right mind has the patience to lay every tool out in a nicely organized quandrant-al (i know, not a word) fashion(able) way on a pretty little rug AND document it in a interesting-bloggy way??? oh – sherry AND HER HUSBAND, john! what in the world?! you guys were made for this blogging world and for each other. i love reading.
Bridget says
When each of my sisters and I got our first apartments, our dad gave us each a “tool purse.” It’s actually just a soft-sided Craftsman bag full of all the necessary tools for an apartment, but I like to call it a purse :) Now that I have a husband and a garage and many more tools, the tool purse stays inside in the hall closet for easy access for hte “clean tools” – not the greasy or dirty ones that might be in the garage. Plus it’s fun to hear my husband ask for the “hammer in the tool purse.” Heh.
Megan S says
You guys are armed and dangerous, just kidding! There are a lot of tools there. Do you think you may get a tool chest for the garage? Ours are scattered in our junk drawer and I was considering getting one sometime but wasn’t sure where to even start with that. Great job!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Megan S,
The tool drawer-in-the-kitchen technique definitely started in our last house because the garage and basement were so far away. Now that the carport is right off of the kitchen we might move some of the tools out there when we eventually enclose it as a garage. But I’d be surprised if we ever banished tools from our kitchen entirely. Even growing up my mom kept a small tool box in our pantry.
-John
samantha owens says
@hanna @YHL @annabelvita
does your phone have a notes section? I can take notes on my ipone and i have a ‘note pad page’ dedicated to measurements. that way the measurements are always on my phone and i never lose the piece of paper!
renee says
J&S-
You MUST submit one of your delightful tool centerfold spreads to the Things Organized Neatly site:
http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/
Organizing p*rn!!!
Carol N. says
We each have our own sets of tools – keeps harmony in the family! And I’ve carried a tape measure in my purse for years along with a magnet and screwdriver. I love antiques and those seem to be the tools I needed to use when searching out deals vs. junk. And in the car I have a list of measurements, paint samples and fabric samples that I can pull out and use when shopping if I need to see if something would work in the house or not.
Daphne Rhode says
Love the tool drawers! I don’t know how yours slide in and out, and if things slip around (especially in your top drawer), however I have put down some of that non slip stuff, rubbery matting which is usually placed under floor mats, on the bottom of my drawers to keep sorted and placed items from moving around with the constant opening and closing. Just a thought… : )
Can you tell me what holds up your card display over the sofa in first house office?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Daphne,
Here’s a post all about that: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/07/office-progress-getting-our-art-groove-on/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Holly Austin says
I find it absolutely HILARIOUS that you guys ended up at your old house by accident! I can defenitely see how that would happen though, having lived in the same place for several years. Funny though :)
Daphne Rhode says
Just had another thought! An outline of tool/item could be drawn on the rubber matting with a Sharpie, similar to drawing an outline on a peg board. That might work well in your top drawer. Then you would know immediately if an item was ~already on the job~!
Melody says
Wow! Your tools look like a work of art when they’re all organized!
Doug says
This is such a boring post. Would love to see more house changes!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Doug,
Please see this post and this post for more info about our new post-what-and-when-we-want approach. We’ve learned that the fastest way to please no one is to try to please everyone, so we just blog about our adventures, whatever they may be, and share what’s going on in our lives (from organizing and painting to projects, shopping, and beyond) for anyone who’d like to drop in on us. If a post isn’t your fav, feel free to skip it!
Nothing but love,
Sherry (& John)
Ariana says
Y’all should totally submit the picture of everything laid out on the carpet to http://thingsorganizedneatly.tumblr.com/ I have this blog along with yours in my Google reader and totally connected the two when I saw that image with all of the tools.
Belle says
Hahaha! The hubs and I stumbles across this show for the very first time the other night and thought it was hysterical!
We move around so much, we haven’t really acquired a whole heap o’ tools, but your collection is inspirational! Is there anyway you guys could do a post for things to include in a tool starter kit?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Belle,
Check out this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/08/its-tool-time/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
elisa says
@Hannah…. I keep a note in my purse that has my vehicle interior dimensions so that when I go to IKEA I know how big of a box I can fit in the back =o) If I’m looking for something particular I also note the size of the space that item needs to fit in. ie replacing our fridge, etc.
And like Samantha said… all my notes are on my phone so I’ll never lose them.
Katy says
What is that l-shaped tool near the spackle supplies? Is it for painting corners?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katy,
It’s a spackle knife specially designed for corners. We purchased it back when I was redoing the bathroom and needed a way to make nice crisp corners when mudding over the new drywall. Worked like a charm – though it’s a bit of a pain to store!
-John
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
You guys are stocked! We are just starting our collection and our “collection” is already spilling over into all areas of the house. We need some fancy garage organization happening…soon!
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
My hubby would kill for a tool drawer in the kitchen!!! We do have a do have a junk drawer as well which I was forced to organized after the “flood” of 2010 (kid you not). More about that here – http://houseography.blogspot.com/2010/11/when-you-get-lemons.html No matter what, I could not live without screw drivers and a tape measure in my kitchen!
And, I think this is the first up close and personal we’ve seen of your kitchen cabinets. They really are not bad and look fairly – other than the color. Can’t wait to see what you decide to do with the cabinets and the space but I realize it’s a ways down the road!
seansmom says
My husband has a garage FULL of tools. They’re piled randomly, but he seems to know where everything is and can put a hand to anything he needs in a short amount of time. I have my OWN toolbox that is stashed under the utility tub in the laundry room. It contains everything I need for hanging pictures, filling holes, tightening anything thats loose, doing touchups,etc. My purse always has a small tape measure(or two), a mini screwdrivers, and one of those mini utility tools that unfolds and becomes all sorts of things. After all, a girls gotta be prepared, doesn’t she?? :>)
Lonely Wife Project says
My husband needs to read this post stat! Our garage is need of a makeover that only he can accomplish.
Megan Carlisle says
So last summer my husband I decided that two days prior to our daughter’s first birthday party was the perfect time to DIY our ugly green shutters and front door. We had been living in our house for a little over a year at this point and still hadn’t gotten around to this project. Normally, hunter green door+shutters wouldn’t be so bad, but our house is yellow. It’s a nice, pale, creamy yellow vinyl siding. Now separate the green shutters are fine, and the yellow siding is fine – but together it looks like an elementary school decoration. It screamed “I”M YELLOW AND GREEN!!”. Any-who, we decided that a nice chocolate brown on the shutters and door would look good and would also take the siding down a notch (think buttermilk as opposed to butter!). When we took the hardware off the front door, we realized that our kick plate was a solid piece of brass, score! BUT, it was sooooo tarnished. So off I go with a rag and some brass-o. I was getting no where, slowly. So my brilliant husband decides to try something unorthodox – he heated a drill bit and then plunged it into the back of a tooth brush head (handle cut off). I now had a tooth brush drill bit. Dip it in the brass-o, press down hard and pull the trigger. The tarnish came off like a dream! WE were able to bring all the hardware (except the peephole) back to it’s brassy glory :) we had a few other mishaps over that two days, but by the time people showed up for our little girls party the house looked great!
kelsey p says
I blogged myself about this *favorite find* of mine, a super easy to clean paint tray. You just let the paint dry then peel it off. And being that most my home improvement projects are painting ones, this is my must have.
http://joeandkelsey.blogspot.com/2010/11/favorite-find.html
Twila says
Soooo no more tool box?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Twila,
That’s in the attic with some less-often-used tools (since they don’t all fit in the kitchen).
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Hahaha I loved Tool Academy! Wait, is it still on? Since I moved so it’s not scheduled on my new DVR…best post opener ever :)
Deb says
Over 15 years ago we started with a kitchen drawer ,the tools seem to be so much more conveniently located in the hub that we eventually spared a whole top and bottom section of the lower kitchen cabinets and put them in a large flat clear plastic tub ,much easier to pull out the tub than a tool box with a lid and they are better spread out to locate a tool quicker ,hope this makes any sense .I do feel better now knowing that I am not the only one that stores tools in the kitchen .
Nina says
Hi. You probably know this but caulk has an expiration date. Just saw it there and had to say it. After the date it doesn’t set. I learned the hard way. It was a huge goopy mess in our new bathroom.
Kitty says
We have one of the “desk” areas with a cabinet above and 3 drawers on the side in our kitchen. That is our tool shed. In the upper cabinet I created a charger station for the cordless drills by placing a power strip in the cabinet and running the cord down the wall to the plug. I created a memo board as a “back splash” to hide the cords. My desk drawers are filled with other tools and we also have a drawer dedicated to sticking two things together!
Jayne Mercer says
I had to smile about you driving to the wrong home – 3 years ago we moved one street – in fact the home over our back fence is our old one! It’s odd watching your old garden being altered!
In the first few weeks I turned down the wrong street many times. One week probably 9 months later I did it again – so I thought I’d drive down the end and turn around (it’s a no through road) to check out what had been happening on the street – had to wave at several previous neighbours as I drove down and back up the street immediately after! They must have thought I was mad!
Thanks for your wonderfully inspiring blog.