How To Organize Tool Chest Drawers (5 Effective Steps)

Are you getting frustrated to find a specific instrument among your lots of other tools in the drawer?

Then organize your tool chest in a super-smooth way. Placing the tools in their suitable space provides easy access during works for a craftsman.

It saves time, and you can concentrate on your job. Tool storage cabinets store the metal tools safe and sound for a long time.

It is essential to set all your tools in a safe place to use them properly.

Don’t worry. It is not a sweat losing or boring labor, rather a fascinating and little time-taking task. Let’s see how to organize tool chest drawers.

How to organize tool chest drawers

Common Tool Chest Organizing Accessories

Before organizing your chest drawers like a craftsman style, arrange some necessary fixtures. These fixtures will increase your chest durability and protect the apparatuses.

Foam Organizer

Foam Organizer for Tool Chest

Foam can be used as padding of your tools. The standard polyethylene closed-cell foam is ideal for tool chest storage.

They are durable and resist moisture which can prevent rust or erosion of your valuable tools.

There are many sizes and styles of tool foam organizers in the market. This foam has several shapes of pockets for tools.

Buy your foam according to the sizes of your chest drawers. You can make a foam organizer by yourself.

Tool Organizer Foam 

81JSB207zOL. AC SL1500
  • Brand DEWALT
  • Color Black
  • Water Resistance Level Water Resistant
  • Product Dimensions 16.77″L x 11.7″W x 2.73″H
  • Product is highly durable
  • Removable blocks allow for easy customization
  • Strong, rigid, lightweight material

Socket Organizer

Socket Organizer for Tool Chest

A craftsman toolbox possesses socket sets. These socket sizes can be small and big.

The socket organizer has lots of socket holders where you can place the socket according to the sizes.

Some organizers are of plastic; some are made of wood. Some have sticks, and some are with a magnetic bottom.

Buy your preferable type according to your sockets.

Socket Organizer

71B9vcuptIL. AC SL1500
  • Color Red
  • Brand Ernst Manufacturing
  • Material Plastic
  • Item Dimensions 14.88 x 5.3 x 1.35 inches
  • Item Weight 0.6 Pounds

Pegboard

Pegboard for Tool Chest

Pegboard is a great way to store your tools when you’re working with limited space.

Not only does it save time, but it also provides comfort and convenience during work. Pegboards are a great way to organize and store tools safely.

They also make your workspace more comfortable by letting you hang up your most-used devices for easy access in the home or onsite at work.

Pegboard Organizer 

710t5tS FIL. AC SL1000
  • Material Alloy Steel, Metal
  • Color Black
  • Finish Type Powder Coated
  • Mounting Type Wall Mount
  • Attractive, magnetic

Stack-On Tool Storage

Stack on Tool Chest

Stack-on is a great organization solution for small tools because it saves space and keeps everything in its place.

Not only does the lid keep your things from spilling out, but opening and closing drawers automatically puts all the little metal pieces back inside so you’re not fishing around trying to find them later.

Drawer Liner

Tool Chest Liner

Drawer liners are nonslip mat to prevent the rolling and clashing the tools in the drawer.

You can use a well-cushioned drawer liner in the tray and cabinet as well. It prevents scratch on tools and chest.

But if you have one just lying there not being put to use, it can be a great protection against scratches on your precious items like glassware or vases.

Tool Drawer Liner 

71UdsfcQ8yL. AC SL1500
  • Brand ABN
  • Color Black
  • Material Rubber
  • Size 16 Inch by 6 Foot
  • Number of Pieces 1
  • Is Stain Resistant Yes
  • Product Dimensions 16″L x 6″W

Compartment Tray

A compartment tray in a tool box can be very helpful to organize the various tools separately. This way, you can easily find the tool you need without having to search through a pile of tools.

A compartment tray can also help keep your tools organized and prevent them from getting tangled up. This is especially helpful if you have a lot of small tools.

If you are looking for a way to organize your tools, a compartment tray may be the perfect solution.

It can help you keep your tools organized and tidy, and it can make it easier to find the tool you need.

Compartment Tray

61sEq367OAL. AC SL1500
  • Brand Ernst Manufacturing
  • Material Plastic
  • Color Black
  • Water Resistance Level Waterproof
  • Number of Compartments 10

How To Organize Tool Chest Drawers?

I think you have collected all the accessories to organize your chest perfectly. Now, manage some more time and a comparatively wide place for work.

Make a plan about your most-used tools. You may be a home renovator or carver, and your requirement is different. Sort your tools as your professional need.

Categorization of Your Tools

Start from the basics. Take out all of your tools on a large piece of fabric. Put the smaller and pointy tools like nails, pins, bolts, nuts on one side.

Separate the heavier items aside. Keep the liquid items safely.

Clean the Tools

Clean the tools properly with brushes and clothes. Tools are metal substances and can catch rust or dust.

A proper wipe will ready them for long-time use. Apply water and baking soda rust and wait some time.

Rub it well. Clean with water and dry properly. Also, clean the chest attentively. Do not use water or oil to wipe rust and spot.

Make Ready the Drawers for Storage

Most of the tool chest has three types of drawers, small, medium and, big. Place the stack on, small bins of foam, and liner in the drawers.

Use a two-layer foam organizer. The bottom layer should be a bright color, and the top layer should be a dark color.

As a result, when you take a tool, the bright color of the foam will appear, and you will quickly understand the misplaced tools.

Assembling the Drawers

The small drawers are placed at the top part of a tool safe. Lay the liner mat and keep the pointy and small equipment in them.

Use stack-on if necessary. You can use little bins and boxes which have pockets for tiny things.

In the medium-sized drawers and trays, set the foam for specific tools.

You have screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, socket sets, and many tools. Use socket organizer for socket sets.

You have heavier tools like drill machines, saw, multi-purpose cutter placed in the large drawers. Place the liner before setting up.

Keep your extra tools in other drawers. If you have any chemicals and oils, please keep them separate.

Make sure they won’t jerk or displace during any pressure on the chest.

Label the Drawers

After organizing the tools, stick an individual label on each drawer. It will help you find your desired gears quickly and effortlessly.

You will also put back the tools in the right place after finishing your work.

Furthermore, other people will not be misguided to look for a specific tool.

Tool Chest Organizing Safety Issues

There are more issues you may not think about. But believe me, these are evenly important for a toolbox organization.

Reject the broken tools

When ordering the tools, reject the broken tools. Broken parts contain sharp edges and can cause accidents. They are also no good to use.

But you can fix the rusted and slightly broken parts. Examine the tools that if there any chance to fix them.

As you are a DIYer or professional, you would like to fix the tackles on your own.

Conscious about the sharp and dangerous tools

Knives and scissors are also a part of your safe. You may have saw and blades which are sharp and dangerous.

It will be wise to put them in a labeled drawer. Use paper cover for the sharp equipment.

Keep miscellaneous apparatuses separately

Many tools have cables and chargers, which tangle one with another during storage. It gets messy to separate the cables sometimes.

I suggest coiling the cables along with the machines. Use small cables or zip ties.

You can pack these tools in boxes or packets. Make sure the air passing system of the reservoir; otherwise, the devices will destroy or spotted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Get Foam?

The best place to find tool chest drawer foam is a store that specializes in wholesale supplies. 

A hardware store such as Amazon, Lowe’s or Home Depot should have the foam you need.

What is the best way to organize tools?

You should organize tools by size. If you are going to a job, get the appropriate tool and be ready for anything that might happen in the house.

I recommend having the most frequently used tools closest to you. That way, you won’t need to move around as much.

How do you organize a tool chest socket?

It’s very important to keep your sockets organized, but it’s difficult to find a system that works for you.

There are two ways to organize a tool chest socket: by size and by type. By size, sockets fit into slots that correspond to the diameter of their matching bolt.

Another way is to order them according to their piercing shape.

How do I organize my tool bag?

One of the best ways to organize your tool bag is by putting everything into a series of pockets.

This makes it much easier to access what you need without making a mess or wasting time.

Start by separating the tools that you are going to use most frequently, like wrenches and screwdrivers, from those used less frequently such as hammers and pliers.

What tools are used to stay organized?

I recommend you buy a toolbox. It’s an essential tool for any do-it-yourselfer and helps keep your tools organized.

The key to being organized is to keep a toolbox. You can use the tools in your box for many projects around the house like assembling furniture, repairing items and hanging shelves on drywall.

What is the best tool storage system?

The best storage system is the shelf. Shelves are good because they are big and can hold a lot of tools.

They are also inexpensive, so you won’t have to spend much money to store your tools on them.

If you spend some money so the best tool storage system is the 4-drawer vertical tool box.

It’s an affordable option that provides a large amount of storage space for tools and parts.

Final Words

If you didn’t want to ruin your tools, then here’s how they should be stored. Take good care of them and keep using them for a long time with these tips.

Now you know how to organize tool chest drawers perfectly. We hope your tools stay safe and organized for a long time. Happy DIYing.