They live in my kitchen, fill my shed, line my drawers, overwhelm my closets, and get stashed in my guest room. Tools are the necessary baggage of my DIY lifestyle, yet a hindrance when entertaining, cleaning or trying to please the wife. Here are some ideas on where they should live instead.
Sure, if I had a garage, storage would be as simple as getting a workbench. I long for the day when I'll have a shop, a garage or even a basement to tuck things away in but for those of us who reside in apartments without bountiful storage, these solutions could help.
For most of us, tools are used only on occasion but but when needed, usually require the whole lot. Converted dressers make great incognito storage (See Crafty Nest's Chest of Drawers Turned Tool Storage here) and under-bed boxes make great places to store tools. Other options that are less conspicuous but probably do a better job organizing include classic tool chests in wood (See the Gerstner Rolling Bench or Ultimate Treasure Chest below) or in metal (See the Kobalt Chest below).
For more portable tool organization and storage, nothing beats a toolbox with wheels like those from Stanley. Those with a only a small collection could even get by with a beautiful Klein Leather Toolbag, or for the cyclist, the Timbuk2 Toolshed does the basic job.
FIRST ROW:
- Craftsman 1470 pc. Professional Tool Set ($8,599.90)
- Chest of Drawers Turned Tool Storage
- Klein Leather Toolbag $332.90
- Timbuk2 Toolshed ($35)
- Stanley Mobile Work Center $39.99
SECOND ROW:
FatMax® 4-in-1 Mobile Work Station ($99)
Gertsner Ultimate Treasure Chest ($1136.00)
Gerstner Roller Bench in Cherry ($3420.00)
Craftsman 43-1/2'' 2-Drawer Deluxe Mechanic Cart ($250)
Kobalt 53" Chest ( $1,898.00 )
Other Resources:
Setting Up Home: DIY Tool Basics
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
A simple metal toolbox costing less than $50 will last you a lifetime:
http://www.toolboxesdirect.com/tool-boxes/metal-tool-boxes/excel3drawerlockingtoolbox.cfm
#5 is exactly what I've been looking for! I want a tool box that I can organize well, but that's still small enough to be portable and can be stored easily for an apartment dweller. I've had no luck at all until now. Most tool boxes are just big boxes and I like everything to have a place rather than digging through the whole box for something. #2 is also a nice solution if I found something portable to put those in.
HI STANLEY! *waves*
I guess over the past few years, I've developed a healthy brand loyalty for Stanley products. We have one of their big 50 gallon wheelie boxes that my family uses when we go SCUBA diving. It goes through a lot of abuse, and it's still kickin'! Not as sexy as one of those wooden tool chests, but I go for durability sometimes over hotness.
My boyfriend gripes a lot (well, a little) because my "projects" often take over the house. I need a berkwench.
I'm definitely the handy one in the relationship, which is nice (I don't have to wait for something to get fixed) and annoying (I always have to fix everything).
I keep my hand tools and hardware in my mid-century china cabinet. It's so sturdy and has several drawers. However, I do worry about damaging the cabinet, so I'll find another place for the tools eventually.
I have the Fat Max. It works well if you are a smaller person, and want to take your tools out to the car, down your apartments flight of stairs. I've almost outgrown it, though. I don't want anything bigger because it would be hard to move with.
So, the chop saw, nail gun and circular saw live in my wardrobe as they are too big to fit under the bed with the reciprocating saw, drill, sander, planer, tile cutter and screw and parts collections.
Then I have four additional drawers (in the wardrobe) which hold hand tools, glue, caulk etc..
Paint is in the kitchen in a corner cupboard which is too inconvenient for anything else.
I would LOVE a workroom!
I repeatedly have this dilemma in all of my apartments! I have quite a bit of tools, even after minimalizing them. So I have a large 3-tier Craftsman box and an even larger sterlite cabinet next to it for all of my "garage" stuff. My current place has a large entranceway unused hallway before I go up my stairs to my apt. I have them both against the wall. Oh--how I need a garage so very badly!
I got my wife a "Gerstner International" to use as a Jewelery box. I almost did not give it to her when it arrived home....
http://whathanasius.blogspot.com/2009/10/jewelery-storage-solutions.html