Color Coding Tools By Area

To keep tools that are needed in different locations at our home, I made different color codes for each area. I think of the different tools that will be needed in each areas and they are the only ones I place there. Others are added as needed. By color coding the tools and their assigned areas, we can quickly see if they are in the wrong place. The tools can be marked with tape but I prefer paint because it doesn't get sticky. The drawers can also be painted if you don't want to use paper.

For the shop, I used the color yellow as our shop is yellow. I turned two drawers in our shop into tool drawers. I used different containers to keep the tools separated. Large yellow signs are on each drawer with tools written on it. If we need someone to get a tool, they will know which drawer they are in. The drawer that holds the miscellaneous items is marked with a large yellow sign also.

In the garage, we use the color red because our large tool box is red. Two of the drawers next to the tool box hold the miscellaneous items that we don't want in our tool box. Large red paper signs were placed on the drawers marked "Misc."

For the inside of the house, we use strong cloth bags like they sell at hardware stores. A large cord is tied to the bags to make sure they are in the right area.

A drawer in each of the areas hold paper, note pads, markers, pens, pencils, paper clips, paper clamps, straight pins, safety pins, stapler, staples, nails, tie wraps, flashlight, tape, a 12 inch ruler, string and any other items we think we may need in that work area.

I would be working in an area and need a tool that was in a different place. This is what lead me to come up with this system. With a lot of the same type tools this was easy to do. Just how many of the same tool do you need in one place? Another thing that has been a great help is buying tools that can be used for more than one purpose.