Organizing / Storing Larger Hardware

[cls89]

I have a hardware cabinet with plastic drawers to store smaller hardware like screws, nuts, bolts, etc.

I don’t have a good system for storing and organizing what I’ll call larger hardware. For example, casters, metal brackets, extra hooks for hanging heavy items, cabinet hardware such as drawer slides and hinges. I also have electrical stuff that needs storage (Romex, boxes, covers etc)

The best thing I can think of is plastic containers with lids and store up above using a ceiling rack.

Looking for ideas on how store these items and how to sort / categorize them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Akrobins.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I seem to keep adding additional space, I use one 40' hi cube just for material storage. I like to keep a good supply of material and hardware.

 

[cls89]

Akrobins.

I do have some of these. I line the inside of one of my cabinets with these. I use them to hold medium sized hardware.

However I can’t use these for the type of hardware I want to hold for two reason. Hardware is too big for these bins. Also I don’t have any more wall space / cabinets to hold these type of bins. That’s why I’m thinking plastic containers and overhead storage.

 

[LWB]

What about milk crates.

 

[flippin]

As a self diagnosed storage nut, a few guidelines may help you with your pursuit. More important than the size of the items, frequency of use determines where and how I store stuff. If items are accessed daily, regardless of their size they need to be close at hand. Based on your comments and your proposal to store stuff in bins overhead, I suspect that these will be rarely accessed but still "keepers". I am in the same boat, so casters as you mentioned, shelf brackets, plumbing fittings, electrical boxes, plugs etc all live in "clear" plastic bins on ceiling height shelves. When selecting containers I really encourage you to use clear bins whenever possible. Clear bins eliminates the need for labelling and if you get in the practice of positioning the contents on the most "viewable" sides it reduces the search time. This is especially important when you have a bin with a variety of "keepers". I have a bin with an old iron which I use for waxing skiis, it also has a small space heater and 2 extra heat guns. I did my best to store the items so a recognizable part of the iron, heater and heat guns were viewble when stored on the shelf.











Given that we never have enough space if you become limited in your overhead secondary storage, you might need to further question frequency of use. For the items which are still "keepers" (aren't they all ) but lower on the list of priority, another less accessible storage area may serve as a snooze bar before you need to order a dumpster. I use my attic and sheds for these items. Overflow storage brings up an important efficiency factor. I was and likely still am terrible about hyper-organzing a small space so every piece stored represents a tetris masterclass. Knowing how much effort went into jamming everything into that ridiculously small space (think christmas tree back in the box) most times I couldn't be bothered if I could even remember. Make your storage spaces accessible and efficient otherwise they lose their ability to help you. Too much stored in a small space is less than optimal. Eventually we all need to purge and having a storage "process" may help in the identification of items to keep or give away.

I have been part of this great community long enough to recognize that we have, likely on more than one occasion purchased something again despite knowing that one exits (maybe even two) in our organized mess. We are all lazy creatures and spending a bit of time creating a simple storage process will support our laziness in the future.

 

[LeeG]

For smaller stuff, I use the Sterilite 15 quart plastic containers. They have lids so dust stays out.



I built a (several actually) grid so that each container can be pulled out. For larger stuff stored outdoors, I use the smaller (12 gallon) of the Greenmade type storage bins available at most of the major retailers. These are pretty water resistant, and hold up well - I have some that have been outdoors for 5+ years and still going strong. I built a simple rack system to so I can pull them out without having to unstack them.



I use a few of the larger 27 gallon storage tubs also, but only for high-bulk, low weight items, like tarps and sun shades. I don't get into those as often, so they are just stacked behind my shed.

Label each container, and/or take a photo of the contents and keep those photos in a separate folder on your phone. Having something and not knowing where it is is worse than not having it at all.

Lee