Drowning in cluttered tools? These 4 small-space storage wins could save your whole weekend

August 11, 2025

Small Space, Big Mess? Here's How to Regain Control of Your Tools and Supplies

The overlooked challenge every handy home faces

It starts innocently enough — a hammer here, a spray bottle there, and suddenly your hallway cupboard looks like it survived a cyclone. Tools spill out every time you open the door, cleaning chemicals cling to stained shelves, and somewhere in the mess is that screwdriver you bought twice thinking it was lost.

It’s not about being untidy. It’s about systems. Especially in smaller homes, sheds, or renovation sites where space works overtime. Whether you're fixing a fence on Thursday and cleaning grout on Sunday, if your gear's in chaos, you're already behind schedule.

What clutter really costs you

Besides the obvious time lost searching for a missing wrench, disorganisation can lead to:

Double purchases – Buying what you already have but can’t find
Damaged gear – Tools jammed together or left exposed to moisture
Safety hazards – Especially when chemicals and tools are stored carelessly
Lost motivation – Nothing derails a Sunday project quite like a half-hour hunt for cleaning gloves

"We tell our regulars this all the time — good storage isn't fancy, it's functional. It gives you back your time."
– Candeece H., DIY Advisor

4 Smarter Ways to Store Tools and Cleaning Supplies in Small Homes

1. Use Vertical Space Like It Owes You Money

Wall hooks, pegboards, over-the-door hangers — these aren't just for Instagram workshops. Get cleaning sprays off the ground. Hang saws, wrenches, and garden tools vertically using simple hooks or loop straps. Even the back of your laundry door can host a small shelf for brushes, gloves, and cloths.

2. Divide and Rule With Clear Containers

Clear plastic tubs (stackable, if you're clever) let you see your gear without rummaging. Label each bin by category: “Plumbing Tools,” “Painting Supplies,” “Garden Sprays,” and so on. Even better? Colour-code them. Makes life easier when you're racing daylight or a looming deadline.

3. Repurpose What You’ve Already Got

A toolbox is great — but so is that old esky or repurposed tackle box. Tired spice racks make top-notch homes for glues, screws, and paint touch-up pots. An unused broom closet morphs into a perfect vertical cabinet with a few shelves and bins.

This isn’t about buying more stuff. It’s about using what’s hiding in plain sight.

4. Keep Cleaning Supplies Separate — Always

Chemicals and tools don’t mix. Literally. Moist environments (like where you store your mop bucket) can rust metal tools faster than you can say “WD-40.” Use a dedicated caddy for cleaning supplies and store them away from your power gear.

If you can install a shelf above washing machines or sinks, even better. Keeps corrosive products well away from hands that shouldn’t reach them — including kids and pets.

The Best Storage Isn’t Pretty — It’s Predictable

Think of your home or shed like a well-run job site: every tool has a parking spot. It's not about being a neat freak; it's about flow. When everything has a home, you don’t waste time thinking. You just grab and go.

Get in the habit of resetting your space when you're done. Wipe tools, check that caps are sealed on detergent bottles, and chuck out anything that won’t pull its weight next time. Five minutes now saves twenty later.

Ask Yourself This:

“If I needed my hex keys in a hurry, could I grab them without shifting six buckets and swearing?”

If not, it’s time to sort your storage.

When Space Is Tight, Strategy Wins

Look — we all know homes, sheds, and garages aren’t getting bigger. But a lean layout, smart containers, and better shelf space can add back an hour to your weekend and a whole heap of sanity.

And if the task still feels massive, start small. One drawer. One shelf. One crate of tangled cords. Progress, not perfection.

Catch you in the aisles or out there building something great,

— Candeece