As a DIY expert I'll admit to owning a lot of tools. This is how I keep them organised and in mint condition

As your DIY aspirations grow, so will your tool collection. Every time you take on a new DIY project, I guarantee that you'll be adding new tools to your collection. It could be something small or even perhaps a smart new power tool – but whatever it is, you need to find a space to house them.

Storing your tools correctly will extend their lifespan, even budget power tools that may not always last as long. And if your space is limited, it's not always easy finding solutions, but choosing the right location will make a big difference and stop them failing sooner than they should.

Combine this with essential and regular maintenance and your tools will be your friends for years to come. I know, because this is how I manage my own personal (and somewhat large) collection.

How to store tools

How you store your tools will have a big bearing on how long they last. Poorly stored and maintained tools will deteriorate much quicker than tools stored and maintained correctly. This means you're be replacing them sooner than you should, which will be costly in the long run. This is especially true of power tools which can involve substantial investment.

The best ways to store power tools

For individual power tools, I like to keep them stored in a hard case if at all possible. Better quality (and more expensive) power tools often come with a hard case, which is the perfect solution for ensuring they don't get bashed or broken.

“One mistake I see is people throwing different tools together in one large box,” shares Matthew O'Grady, director of Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture. "What they don't realise is that every time that box is moved, the tools will knock into each other and that damages cutting edges, and can knock precision tools out of alignment.”

You can purchase hard cases separately, such as this Dewalt 18v SDS Power Tool Case Black from B&Q. However, you will need to do your online research to get a hard case that matches your power tool, especially if the manufacturer doesn't make hard cases. Generic cases like this Plastic Power Tool Storage Case are available from Amazon.

Budget-friendly power tools rarely come with a hard case (this helps keep the price down). DIY-friendly Black & Decker tools often come with a canvas carry case though, which offers a level of protection, especially from dust, and makes them easier to transport.

The alternative is to store the power tool in the cardboard box it came in. This is a short-term solution, as the box will absorb moisture and start to degrade if kept in damp or condensation-prone areas.

Ideally, you also want to store power tools (even if in hard cases) off the ground. Shelving units such as this Essentials 5-Tier Metal Garage Shelving Unit from Screwfix are a good choice.

I like to organise my power tools so I have easy access to the more frequently used ones. These are placed at shoulder height, with regularly used tools above, and the less frequently used at the bottom. However, don't overload the top shelves. Nick Smith, owner of NJS Sash Window Restoration, adds a note of caution (which I try to follow): “To help avoid injury, heavier tool boxes should be placed lower on the shelves.”

Shop these storage solutions

The correct way to store hand tools

The options for storing hand tools depends on what tools you have, what size they are and how many you have. I have various-sized toolboxes from small to large, and they are divided into specific tools, with my largest holding my decorating tools such as wallpaper brushes, rollers (for paste) etc. One of the smaller toolboxes keeps all my plumbing-related tools, such as this HAUTMEC Copper Pipe Cutter Set from Amazon.

Another small toolbox holds screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, and similar tools. My top tip is to invest in stackable toolboxes so you can neatly fit them on top of each other. Modular toolbox systems such as this Stanley Modular Rolling Toolbox from Screwfix are a reliable alternative.

Beyond toolboxes, I use plastic storage towers like this Tontarelli 3 Drawer Plastic Storage Tower Unit from Amazon as a cost-effective alternative. However, they don't last as long, but are cheap to replace. To help keep everything organised, label the drawers with a permanent marker or stickers.

If you have the space, a wall pegboard system such as this VonHaus Tool Pegboard from B&Q is also ideal for storing hand tools on the wall.

Storing the small stuff

Every DIYer has a collection of small stuff such as nails, screws, rawl plugs, and various other fixings – I know I do. Organising these makes it much easier to find what you need, when you need it.

I use a simple set of drawers such as this Really Useful Storage Drawer Unit from Amazon to store them at home. I also have a collection of small plastic bins where I store them for quick, easy access. Try something like this DIY Organiser from VonHaus. Another option is a carry case such as this DEKO Screw Storage Organiser Tool Box from Amazon which is ideal if you need to take a selection wherever you are working.

Matthew O'Grady

Matthew O'Grady is the Director of Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furniture. He is an entrepreneur and skilled cabinet maker with over six years of experience in bespoke kitchens, joinery, and home improvement projects.

Nick Smith

Nick Smith is the owner of NJS Sash Window Restoration and has been restoring traditional timber windows since 2005. He has over 20 years of woodworking experience.

Garage or shed? The best location for storing tools

Your storage location can be dictated by circumstances. For example, I don’t have the luxury of a garage with good garage storage, so the majority of my tools are stored in my shed, with most of my power tools stored indoors.

A shed might not be the ideal solution, but if you are going to store your tools in one, Angelo Patrizi, founder of Nuova Home Improvements, says, “a shed with good shed insulation and ventilation that stores tools off the ground is okay, but cheap sheds are likely to be the worst places for metal items,” he warns.

That's why most of my power tools and a lot of my hand tools are stored inside. However, I am on the lookout for a decent shed and am thinking of investing in this Tubby 19mm Log Cabin Apex Work Shed from Dunster House as a potential solution.

But, if like me, you rely on storing your power tools indoors, what are your best options?

“Cupboards, areas under stairs or even a utility room are acceptable for tools,” advises Angelo. Advice I was already following as mine are stored under the stairs where I built my own shelving unit, especially for that reason.

“Power tools and batteries should be stored away from heaters and direct sunlight through windows," continues Angleo, a firm believer in the fact that, “dry always wins over warm, and ventilation is better than an airtight box.”

Angelo Patrizi

Angelo Patrizi runs Nuova Home Improvements, a hands-on renovation company based in Berkshire, UK. They specialise in kitchens, bathrooms, extensions, loft conversions, and full home renovations.

Keep the temperature constant

Wherever you store your tools, you need to think about temperature and humidity, says Nick Smith.

"A dry garage is better because the temperatures are more constant there than in a garden shed, where the temperature may be extremely hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter. Just as you don't want your tools to be exposed to high temperatures, you also don't want to expose them to freezing temperatures," he explains.

But, there's also a bigger problem to bear in mind, warns Nick. Areas prone to moisture are the least suitable place to store tools. "Damp is of bigger concern than the temperature, as the constant presence of moisture will promote rust," he warns. "Condensation will also damage the wiring and circuitry of the tools and a tool's batteries."

A potential solution where temperature and moisture isn't always even? "Throw in a few Silica gel packs or moisture absorbers,” with your storage suggests Nick. This will help combat any moisture that does exist. “Air circulation is important," he adds, noting how a workshop that gets damp in the winter may also benefit from purchasing a small dehumidifier.

And, if you have been in a different location with your tools, (perhaps at your self-build but are living off-site and have bought them back with you), and you park on a driveway at night, Angleo Patrizi offers another warning. “Don’t store tools in a van overnight during winter," he says, "as a van gets wet and cold rather quickly, which is the quickest way to spoil a power tool.”

5 essential tips for maintaining tools

Storing tools correctly helps keep them in good condition, but constant maintenance is the key to longevity. There are a few things that I try to do after every use, no matter the tool.

1. Clean them

All tools need to be cleaned after use. Leaving dust, paint, or debris on a tool will lead to corrosion and failing parts. For example, I brush and wipe down all my power tools after use. The same goes for blades, if the tool has one. Decorating tools such as rollers and brushes need to be paint-free and left to dry.

2. Lubricate regularly

Some tools will be more obvious and easier to clean than others. For example, I have a few hand saws. I wipe them clean and use a cloth to add a thin layer of oil to help stop moisture forming on the surface. If you have exposed elements on a power tool, such as rails on a mitre saw, wipe them clean and lubricate them.

Ideally, give any moving parts like a drill chuck regular lubrication too. A squirt of WD-40 is a short-term solution. Check the manufacturer's recommendation on what lubricant to use.

3. Sharpen or replace

Any tools with a blade or cutting edge will dull over time. There are typically two options: sharpen or replace. Tools like chisels, pipe cutters, planer blades and lawnmower blades will need regular sharpening to keep working efficiently.

Blades for circular saws, mitre saws, jigsaws, reciprocating saws and angle grinder discs are easier to replace than sharpen. So always keep spare blades or discs so you can replace them when needed.

4. Battery care

A wipe and clean of contacts is simple aftercare when you swap out a battery. If you are not going to use a battery for a while, Angleo Patrizi says, “batteries should be kept charged at about 40-50% if not used for some period of time.” Personally, I wait until a battery is fully drained, charge for half the usual time of a full charge and then store it away.

5. Power cord care

Try not to wrap long power cords tightly around your elbow or arm. A music technician once told me off for doing that. Apparently it twists internal wires and shortens the life of the cable. For extension cables, it is recommended to unwind completely so there is less chance of overheating. Occasionally wipe the sockets clean and always pull out plugs by the casing, not the cable.

Keeping your tools in good condition means that you tackle a whole host of DIY projects for years to come. But, before you dive into your next project, follow my advice on the 10 DIY mistakes to avoid, and find out what essential tools you need and where to buy them.