Above: I installed two Edsal Steel Commercial Shelving Units; for $69.97 each at The Home Depot. At dimensions of 36″ wide, 72″ tall, and 18″ deep, they take advantage of the closet’s available depth while leaving enough room for me to maneuver in front of them. I now have enough storage space that I can shift things around easily; removing one thing doesn’t mean that the rest of the system comes tumbling down.
Above: I set soaps and cleaning supplies (things that are oily or sudsy and might leak) on metal trays, and keep them on the eye-level shelf, within easy sight and reach.
Above: On the opposite side of the shelf, I hung a dowel with several kinds of twine and string. Scissors live on a magnet nearby.
Above: Tucked away but within easy reach are Everbilt Wood Clothespins ($2.35 for a pack of 50 at The Home Depot); 8-Inch Homeowner Pine Shims ($1.57 per bundle at The Home Depot); and a Martha Stewart Artist Brush Set ($5.97 at The Home Depot).
Above: By far the best addition to my storage space? The Husky 27-inch 5 Drawer Cabinet; $129. Before, I didn’t have a space large enough for all of my tools and hardware, so I relied on a vague mental map that was constantly failing me. (If you have room and a sturdy work surface would be useful for you, the Husky 46-inch 9 Drawer Mobile Workbench with Solid Wood Top is a heftier option; $279.)
Above: I hear Handel’s Hallelujah chorus when I open the top drawer of my new cabinet. Nails, screws, pins, and bolts of all shapes and sizes are each contained in their own little vessels, all visible at a glance. The biggest and most often-used nails are in open bowls for easy grabbing.
Above: My drills rest peacefully in the bottom drawer of my tool chest. My new Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Lithium Ion Drill Kit keeps company with my older but much-loved Black & Decker cordless drill.
