Store Leftover Paint In Ketchup BottlesUp-cycle your old squeeze ketchup bottles. I use them to store my leftover water based paints. I use a funnel to pour the paint into the bottle and a rubber spatula to scrap the remaining paint from the can.
Nut and Bolt Space SaverFind a piece of square timber just larger than your jar diameter and however long you want it. Nail the lids onto all four sides of the timber. Screw in a thick screw on either end of the timber.
Storing Nails in Recycled Plastic ContainersI found a great new use for the sturdy plastic containers that our dog treats come in from Costco. I use them to store large nails and screws that I buy in quantity for various projects.
Store Cords in Toilet Paper RollsAnother use for a paper towel cardboard holder is to put your appliance cords in them. Even if the cord doesn't disconnect from the appliance, it will protect the cord and keep it from getting tangled in the drawer.
Organizing Extension Cords and Other WiresI bought a 50 cent tin to match the decor of the room and cut a square hole in the back. We pushed all the phone cord and extra computer line through, hooked it all up, put the lid on the tin and now all the mess is "contained".
Storing Single Edged Razor BladesSmall plastic containers for mints or gum, or empty film canisters are the perfect size for storing single edge razor blades.
Keep Razor Blades in MatchbooksEmpty matchbooks can be used to store razor blades. Just insert the razor blade into the bottom part of the matchbook. The strike plate can even be used to sharpen the blade in a pinch. Mark the matchbook so you know what's in it.
Work Bench Yard StickNail or glue a yard stick to the front of your workbench for quick measurements. It comes in handy when you need to make a lot of small measurements.
Avoiding Workbench ClutterKeep a garbage can right by your workbench to keep debris from cluttering up your work area. If you have more than one work area put a trash can next to each.
Storing SandpaperStore your sandpaper in a three ring binder. Just uses some pocket folders to keep the sandpaper organized by different grits in the binder. Label the binding of the three ring binder "Sandpaper" so that it's easy to see when sitting on shelf.
Freezer Containers For The WorkshopThe transparent Glad-Ware Soup/Salad containers make excellent storage boxes for anything from buttons to screws or staples or nails.
A Peg Board To Organize a WorkshopThe best way to organize a workshop is to use a peg board. After you hang an item on the peg board, draw a line around it, that way you won't have to guess what goes where once everything has a place.
Storage for Brooms and MopsBrooms and mops left standing on their bristles or heads wear out sooner. It is worth the investment to buy a plastic hanging storage piece for them.
By Robin
For Safety - Keep A Neat ShopA cluttered, sawdust-filled shop encourages accidents. Keep the floor around machines clear of obstructions that could trip you at a vulnerable moment.
Looking Through Small ItemsWhen looking for a small nail, screw, button. pin, etc, in your can or jar of misfits and/or left-overs, be sure to dump them on newspaper, typing paper, or magazine.
Storing Items In Baby Food JarsBaby food jars are great for storing small nails, screws and other items so that they are easy to see. You can put the jars in a old spice race to keep them together.
Hanging ToolsIf you enough wall space, hang shovels and other garden tools upside down on your walls. For smaller tools you can get a peg board that you can mount on your wall and fit with a variety of pegs and hooks and store tools that you need to have handy.
Attach Jars to Your ShelvesWhen you have loads of small things to store in your shed or workshop, such as nails, screws, etc, here's a cool tip:
Work Bench Towel BarI attached a towel bar to the side of my husband's work bench in the garage. This saves him from wasting paper towels and it saves my "good" bathroom towels.
Keep a Jar for Extra Screws and NailsI keep a jar handy to place all those extra screws, nails, etc. that came with the put-it-together yourself items that you buy. When my husband has only a nail, screw, nut, washer, or wall anchor or two left in what he is doing, I take them to place in my jar.
