Lost screws, tangled bits? Here’s the calm, clever fix your DIY drawer secretly needs
When cluttered drawers become black holes for hardware, this simple system saves your sanity
The Best Way to Organise Screws, Nails, and Small Fasteners
There’s a moment we’ve all had: you need just one washer or a handful of panel pins, and the whole shed is flipped upside-down like a toddler’s toy box. Ten minutes lost. Mood? Crumpled. Project? Paused.
But here’s the truth — small fasteners only feel chaotic because they haven’t been given the right home. And the right system doesn’t have to be expensive, time-consuming, or Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to work for real life.
What Makes a System Actually Work?
The key isn’t more containers — it’s smarter ones. Sturdy clear tubs, stackable drawers, repurposed jars with reliable lids — whatever gives you visibility and easy access without the avalanche. The goal? No more finger-pricking mystery dives into the “mixed bits” tin.
"If it takes longer to find a screw than to drive it in, it’s time to rethink."
– Candeece
The Go-To System: Simple, Stackable, Sensible
Let’s break the chaos down into doable steps. Whether you’re refreshing your tool station or just cleared out the third mystery drawer in the kitchen, try this method:
1. Sort What You Already Own
Lay it all out. The nails, screws, bolts, wall plugs — every last rogue piece. Use small bowls or even muffin tins to temporarily group similar items together. You’ll probably find:
- Seven packets of the same 25mm screws
- Rusty or bent nails you should ditch
- Loose nuts with no bolts and two bolts with the wrong nuts
It’s part mess, part memory lane. Keep what’s useful, turf what’s not. No guilt.
2. Categorise by Purpose, Not Just Size
Instead of breaking things up only by length or diameter, organise based on where you use them. Try these categories:
- Picture Hanging Hardware
- Outdoor + Rust-Resistant Screws
- Interior Timber Screws
- Plaster + Masonry Wall Anchors
- Nails for Finishing vs Heavy Duty Framing
This way, when you're adding a shelf in the laundry, you’re not rifling through gutters screws and trailer bolts to get there.
3. Use Containers That Suit Your Space
Whether it’s an old-school tackle box or a wall-mounted drawer unit, fit the system to your workspace — not the other way around. We’ve seen brilliant repurposes of everything from repainted spice racks to recycled baby food jars (bonus if the lids get glued to the underside of a shelf so they twist off with one hand).
Tip: If you’re using see-through containers, label the back. That way, when you stack them in a drawer or shelf, the label’s still visible.
4. Use Labels You’ll Actually Read
Let’s face it — if the label’s messy or smudged, it’ll stop being helpful by week two. Go waterproof, legible, and simple. A label maker works wonders, but even a slick bit of masking tape and bold pen can do the job if it’s clear.
5. Keep a Spare Section
Sooner or later, you’ll get a mixed box or be given leftover bits from a mate’s job. Have one ‘To Be Sorted’ tub nearby so randoms don’t end up cluttering the whole system you just built. Sunday afternoon? Chuck on a podcast, a cuppa, and sort what’s in there.
Small Gear, Big Impact
It seems simple — screws and nails. But having them beautifully organised is more than practical. It’s psychological. The next time a project calls, there’s no scramble, just that quiet confidence of knowing exactly where to look.
Think of it like having your pantry in order. You're more likely to cook when your cumin doesn’t play hide and seek behind the soy sauce. Same vibe here. When your fasteners are easy to find, you’re faster to build, fix, and finesse the beautiful little details of a home that's all yours.
A Nudge Before You Go
What would your DIY nook look like if it truly supported your flow instead of slowing it down?
Start small. Start this week. And remember — hardware is better when it works with you, not against you.
Happy sorting!
Candeece
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