DIY storage dilemma

[barnacler]

This is a question for those who are relatively handy at DIY stuff around the house/wherever. Not saying you are necessarily an expert, but just that you do a fair bit of stuff on your own.

But this is not about your skill at doing a job, its what comes AFTER, with all the leftovers.

So this is my dilemma: all sorts of projects require all sorts of STUFF - screws, nuts bolts, fasteners, flanges, this that and the other thing, and a tremendous amount of it turns out to be extra, superfluous to my needs, or I sometimes give up on that particular job, I lose interest, turns out I didn't get quite the right parts, whatever: I end up with a huge amount of leftovers - screws, long, short, thick, thin, different kids of screwdrivers required, rings, clasps, clamps, plugs, the list is endless. I hate to waste this stuff, so I keep it but...

I have so much of this shit, all over the place, mixed together, that it actually makes it impossible most of the time to find a damn thing! So I buy MORE! So many duplicates. Its an absolute mess.

So to the SUCCESSFUL ones amongst us who manage to keep things neat and under control, what do you throw out, and what do you keep?

What's the secret?

 

[angrymime666]

I always buy extras since I'm was always doing something. I would repurpose the plastic containers the fastener would come in and store similar fasteners in it eg 3" construction screw, 2.5, 2 etc. or use the off brand crappy Ziploc food containers 4 for $5 and store the in there. Then I would have a large tote and store all the smaller containers in it.

In the days of baby food bottles they would resuse them and put a nail through the lid and attach it to wall or ceiling joist for easy access.

Labeling makes things easier.

 

[xmontrealer]

I put a yellow sticky in the storage container or zip-lock bag with the purpose of the stored item written on it for easy reference later...

 

[xix]

If I find out someone at work is doing reno I ask them if they need parts. I tell them
I have spares, I don't want money, do you want it?

Recently I got rid of some beautiful pots /pans and table saw.

You have to be organized. Imperial and metric parts. that is a lot.

 

[LTO_3]

Organize what you have in small or large clear plastic (or glass) containers or containers such as cottage cheese/sour cream with a labels on everything. Organize the left-over stuff you have - yes it's a PIA - but once done you may never need to buy that stuff for ongoing or new projects. I'd also suggest not buying too much extra materials when you have a project. i buy what I need and if I find I've run short I'll go back and buy more. I've always done it that way and have just enough of things I need or want to keep.
One other suggestion; if any of your friends or family need some of the things you have, give it to them. It clears it out of your place and you save them some money.

LTO_3

 

[Ponderling]

The cheap option is to buy yoghurt by the litre ( or at least it used to be a litre) Mix your own fruit in.
Once food is eaten, you have a great storage contianer with lid.
Post it stuck to the side, with scotch tape to keep it on.
Sharpie note on the post it.
Tells you what is in that container.

Watch Canadian Tire flyers - every few months inexpensive tool boxes of modest size go on sale.

 

[barnacler]

Ahah! it is the labelling I am missing apparently.

 

[Endurance2024]

ROTFL .. so I'm not the only one. Even if you have things organised and labelled I find you end up buying more parts of different sizes over time it feels like a hardware store in your garage.

Including tools. One off tool I used once. Why buy a tool? Cause DIY you'll occasionally need that tool and it ends up still way cheaper than hiring a contractor.

I even inherited tools and parts from my SO grandfather who passed 40 years ago. And just recently used some of the parts that was in jars likely sitting in his garage for decades. Made me smile as I told my SO and said bet he never have guessed his jars of parts would still be handy in 2026.

So likely when we're gone perhaps our collection will get some use down the line. Or just get donated or tossed which would be a shame.

 

[xix]

Ahah! it is the labelling I am missing apparently.

You can use green/blue painters tape or office labels to ID the jars.
I use 2" green tape from dollarama.

Loading…

www.staples.ca

 

[jd3402]

Organizing is key! I'm not the greatest at it either...(at home or my shop anyways). I'm also a bit of a hoarder, so that complicates things! But there's been so many times I've pitched something out that I've hung onto for years, only to need it a month later...and then the problem is I KNOW I've got it, I just can't FIND IT! I'm working on that, but I'm also a procrastinator.

 

[Telebass]

Organizing is key. Up to a point, keep generic leftovers like nuts, bolts, screws, washers. Specialty items (thinking of IKEA hardware) you’ll probably never use. If you need to buy a tool, the job might cost as much as hiring someone, but you get to keep the tool. If you have room, keep decent sized leftovers of material (wood, copper, etc). But if the stuff becomes clutter, don’t be afraid to pitch it. There’s no point in keeping an old tap set or shower head you replaced because you didn’t like it. It all depends on where you live, how much space you have for your DIY stuff, and if there’s anyone else you need to consider. I’ve had a dedicated workshop in my basement for decades. For me, it’s a big win to complete a job without having to buy anything. Time for a spring cleanup.

 

[bemeup]

Get yourself a bin organizer off of Uline’s website. It will look like the shelves that are in Home Depot for loose screws, bolts, etc. The label each bin with a sticker.

 

[Endurance2024]

This is a great place to donate items you no longer want. And also to pick out an old cabinet or hutch for your next project to restore. You can find stuff from old light fixtures, faucets to complete kitchen cabinets.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA sells new and gently used items for your home. Scout out that unique vintage or retro piece for your next DIY design project and save big on furniture, appliances, renovation materials, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, kitchen and bath fixtures, and much more!

share.google

 

[BiggerTitsTheBetter]

This is a question for those who are relatively handy at DIY stuff around the house/wherever. Not saying you are necessarily an expert, but just that you do a fair bit of stuff on your own.

But this is not about your skill at doing a job, its what comes AFTER, with all the leftovers.

So this is my dilemma: all sorts of projects require all sorts of STUFF - screws, nuts bolts, fasteners, flanges, this that and the other thing, and a tremendous amount of it turns out to be extra, superfluous to my needs, or I sometimes give up on that particular job, I lose interest, turns out I didn't get quite the right parts, whatever: I end up with a huge amount of leftovers - screws, long, short, thick, thin, different kids of screwdrivers required, rings, clasps, clamps, plugs, the list is endless. I hate to waste this stuff, so I keep it but...

I have so much of this shit, all over the place, mixed together, that it actually makes it impossible most of the time to find a damn thing! So I buy MORE! So many duplicates. Its an absolute mess.

So to the SUCCESSFUL ones amongst us who manage to keep things neat and under control, what do you throw out, and what do you keep?

What's the secret?

If you think you have it bad... Feel better knowing that in the fishing world, this problem is magnified by a factor of 10. So if you're looking for ideas to solve extreme storage issues, look for threads about this on fishing forums and on YouTube. You might be amazed at what some do to keep fishing gear, lures and baits organized...

 

[Ponderling]

I am a bit of a materials hoarder, but know my limits.
I had the garage getting almost too full to park in it a few years ago.

Now my rule is if I gathered things for a project and 4 year has passed, at least the bulky bits have to go.

I shipped a bunch of the garage bits to auction a few years ago from this self imposed rule, and made $420.
Most of it was curb found and aimed to be repurposed, so I guess I did OK.

The big surprise was a 5l metal sealed pail of industrial solvent, about 70% full. I had bought it at an industrial unit garage sale for $20
I was going to repaint some patio furniture using it for prep (with a few pairs of rubber gloves and a rubber smock) - it is a great paint loosener.
But the fabric bits of that furniture died from UV weakening first.
It sold for $130.

 

[Muchadoaboutnothing]

This is a great place to donate items you no longer want. And also to pick out an old cabinet or hutch for your next project to restore. You can find stuff from old light fixtures, faucets to complete kitchen cabinets.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA

Habitat for Humanity ReStore GTA sells new and gently used items for your home. Scout out that unique vintage or retro piece for your next DIY design project and save big on furniture, appliances, renovation materials, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, kitchen and bath fixtures, and much more!

share.google

They shut down

 

[Muchadoaboutnothing]

This is a question for those who are relatively handy at DIY stuff around the house/wherever. Not saying you are necessarily an expert, but just that you do a fair bit of stuff on your own.

But this is not about your skill at doing a job, its what comes AFTER, with all the leftovers.

So this is my dilemma: all sorts of projects require all sorts of STUFF - screws, nuts bolts, fasteners, flanges, this that and the other thing, and a tremendous amount of it turns out to be extra, superfluous to my needs, or I sometimes give up on that particular job, I lose interest, turns out I didn't get quite the right parts, whatever: I end up with a huge amount of leftovers - screws, long, short, thick, thin, different kids of screwdrivers required, rings, clasps, clamps, plugs, the list is endless. I hate to waste this stuff, so I keep it but...

I have so much of this shit, all over the place, mixed together, that it actually makes it impossible most of the time to find a damn thing! So I buy MORE! So many duplicates. Its an absolute mess.

So to the SUCCESSFUL ones amongst us who manage to keep things neat and under control, what do you throw out, and what do you keep?

What's the secret?

go on home depot or Ike websites and look at garage storage. Get lighting out there and set aside a weekend to organize into clear containers and labels. Utilize wall space and ceiling. Spending the money to even hire someone to help you with this could be beneficial