7 Crazy Ideas for Organizing and Storing Screws and Nails

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Nails and screws are emergency saviors kind of hardware, right? Now, be it a savior in the moment of emergency or items for your DIY projects, you must keep them sorted.

Here’s a catch: you may be thinking, What’s more than just keeping these in the toolbox and storing them in a safe space? To get organized with your fasteners, you must keep each different item from a variety of your hardware in different specified organizers.

Then you need to label and categorize your hardware storage with size, type, and frequency of use. Besides, organizing does not only mean storing your tools. You need to keep them clean and declutter as well.

Sounds like a headache?

No worries, I am here with the ultimate guide to organizing and storing screws and nails. So, you can finally save yourself from the frustration of searching for the right fastener.

Keep reading to find out!

True Story

There was a time I used to keep all my screws, nuts, and bolts in bulk, too, in a drawer. Now what happened once was that, I was looking for a small screw and I was actually in a hurry. But, you see, it is pretty tough to find a small screw among all the bigger ones.

I kept stressing. So, I had to take the whole drawer out and spread all the screws on a mat to find out which one I needed. It still took very long.

That was the day I realized I needed to start organizing my fasteners and hardware. Now, I obviously didn’t get everything sorted out in a day. It took time, but the time and process were worth making me an expert in this. Now I don’t even have to look for the tools.

As I have been in this practice for a long time, I am here to help you with the detailed steps to organize your nails and screws. Because there are many people out there who have to suffer a lot or are still suffering due to not knowing the correct methods. And I really don’t want more people to go through the same pain and hassle. After all, we are here to help each other.

Things You Should Know

There are some concerns, factors, and ideas that will help to sort out the whole process for you. Let’s see them at a glance:

• Organizing your screws, nails, and other hardware is a must. It helps you find everything easily and saves you from getting hurt looking for it. And, most importantly, it saves the tools from getting damaged.
• You need to keep some things in mind before starting to organize. Such as your space availability, accessibility, portability, and durability of your storage materials. Lastly, follow guidelines and maintain regularity while organizing and sorting.
• You can choose toolboxes or go DIY with plastic bins, magnetic strips, and wall racks.

Importance of Properly Storing Nails and Screws

If you are into DIY projects, then I expect that you own screws, nails, and other hardware in bulk. Now, if you are wondering why you need to keep them organized, here’s the answer.

1. Efficiency and Time-saving

First of all, organizing and storing screws and nails allows you to access them easily and find the right fastener at the time of necessity. Just like I said, looking for a screw or nail in the moment of need just makes your work more troublesome and adds extra stress.

2. Safety

Organizing your nails and screws does not only make your work easier. It ensures safety. Imagine keeping all your nuts and bolts all over the place after working; anyone can get hurt.

Not only this, but also using organizers for your nails and screws actually saves you from getting hurt while looking in the hardware storage.

3. Cost-effectiveness

When it comes to ensuring the longevity of your hardware and fasteners, organizing and storing them have no alternatives. Once you organize all your hardware and fasteners and keep them in labeled storage, it saves you from frequent trips to the hardware stores.

How? You do not have to get frustrated looking for them here and there. Most of the time, people end up buying hardware and fasteners they already have if they cannot find them at the time of need.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Storage Options

When it comes to storing screws, nails, and hardware, you need to consider some factors. That’s because your organizing techniques and the compact storage must serve the purpose, right?

So, to store your hardware in the most efficient way, ensure safety, and optimize space, do not forget the following factors:

1. Space Availability

The facts that you need to keep in mind here are

• Do you have a specific workspace for fixing your furniture or doing DIY artistry? Or do you just use your fasteners wherever you need them?
• If you have a certain space, like your garage or a separate room, then the best option is a wall-mounted cabinet. Get drywall and start your DIY expertise to store your DIY tools.

2. Portability

Now, let’s say you don’t have a space dedicated only to this work. So what you have to do is make sure your storage is portable.

Now, the concern is to store your screws, nails, and nuts and bolts in an organized way.

Keep reading, and you’ll know soon!

3. Accessibility

Screws and nails and nuts and bolts are not only for DIY projects, right? They are usually used in emergency needs. So,

• If you have a huge collection, you can install a wall-mounted rack and store them in clear plastic bins or containers.
• For small-collections, you can just keep them in the toolboxes they come with. Do not forget to tape them properly.
• Or, you can install magnetic strips in a corner of your garage or your work area. Just be a bit more conscious of installing them safely.

4. Durability

Now that you are planning long-term, choose durable and sturdy storage materials for your storage option.

If you plan to make a long-term storage for your hardware organizers then go for wooden materials. You can choose from Plywood, MDF (Material Density Fiberboard), or hardwood. You can cut and shape these easily to make compartments.

Another thing to keep in concern is how the material supports the tools. Make sure the combination doesn’t create any friction or such an environment to get your hardware rusty.

“Keeping portability in mind, you must place your hardware in small portable containers.”

5. Organization and Sorting

After deciding on the container or storage option, depending on your collection of hardware and fasteners you must keep them sorted as follows:

• If you build a storage, make separate compartments for drawers.
• Use dividers for different sizes of nails and screws, washers, and other tools
• While storing them in plastic bins or toolboxes, get the ones that have enough compartments to store your whole collection
• Label the drawers or each individual bins
• Color-code according to the types of hardware
• Finally, always use storage options that keep them organized in a way that allows you to easily see from the outside. Clear plastic bins can be great for this!

Once you sort space and storage keeping these factors in mind, the first step is done.

Common Storage Methods for Organizing and Storing Screws and Nails

If you want to organize and sort screws, nails, fasteners, and hardware, storage planning comes first.

Here’s to organizing in a way to make your work even easier and quicker:

1. Using Toolbox

Toolboxes are usually the most common and ideal storage options for hardware and tools. If you want to go for this, then keep the following tips in mind:

Choosing the right toolbox

There are a variety of toolboxes available. You can check here 

Factors to keep in mind while choosing the toolbox

• If you keep them in one place, just use a big toolbox that can hold all your collections
• Choose the smaller ones with handles to make them portable

Use Compartments and Trays

Toolboxes usually come with many compartments. The trick here is to get one with adjustable compartments. This way, you can upgrade the space each time you declutter or upgrade your collection.

• Always leave some empty space for upgrading your collection
• Do not hesitate to toss and declutter your hardware to keep everything organized
• Finally, always make sure your toolbox is neat and clean. Do not let any dust or moisture grow.

2. Plastic Bins

Plastic bins can be great hardware organizers because of their multi-functionality. Let’s see how to organize nails, screws, and washers efficiently with plastic bins:

Choose the Right Size and Type of Bins

• If you have a small collection of each fastener, like nails and screws, nuts and bolts, and washers, then pick a big size bin with small compartments
• If you have a huge collection, then go for individual bins for each type of fastener

Categorize and Sort

• Keep different sizes of each type of hardware in different compartments.
• Use bins with see-through lids to easily pick up the piled items

Label and Color-Code

• You can first color-code according to the types of hardware
• Then use sticky notes of specified colors to label the compartments of your plastic bins
• While upgrading the collection, never store any content without labeling. These keep each item sorted and make it even easier to find.

Stack and Store Efficiently

• While choosing the plastic containers, make sure they are stackable in a vertical space
• Organize them in such a way to fit in that they leave as little empty space as possible.

Portable Options

• Your furniture may need repair at any moment in any space. To tackle these situations, make sure your plastic bins are easily portable. Get the ones with handles. To make it easier, add wheels.

Bonus Tips:
The best hack is to keep a trolley that makes it movable from your garage to your workspace to any other room.

3. Magnetic Strips

A magnetic strip is the ultimate and inexpensive solution to maximize space while assembling your hooks, nails, and wood screws. Accumulate your hooks, screws, and other small tools, then opt for these solutions:

Select the Right Magnetic Strip

• First off, select the right size of magnetic strips according to the weight and size of your fasteners.
• Select the ones with strong magnetic strength to keep your tools assembled and avoid falling off.

Mounting Location

• Select a place that is easily accessible while searching for the right item. It can be attached to the wall next to your workbench.
• Choose a place that is clean and has no way to catch moisture and get damp.

Secure Fasteners Properly

• Ensure personal safety by assembling the small tools in a secure manner.
• Install the tools with their heads facing up. This lets you easily identify your tools

Maintain Organization

• Get organized with your magnetic strips by installing them categorically
• Check from time to time to save the whole bunch from growing rusty

4. Wall-Mounted Racks

Last but not least, wall-mounted racks save both space and cost. Follow these easiest tips to successfully install and manage wall-mounted racks for your hardware:

Select the Right Wall-Mounted Rack

• First, decide the space to install and get one accordingly.
• Make sure to bring one with sturdy materials.
• You can use racks with drawers or use plastic bins to sort your hooks and screws.

To save cost, you can set pegboards on drywall. Use storage bins to store your hardware. These give freedom and flexibility in as many compartments as possible.

Location and Installation

• As this is not a portable solution, install the racks near your work area.
• Keep some vacant spaces. Use it during times of cleaning and decluttering.

Arrange by Size or Type

• Select rows for different types of hardware
• Color code according to the types and label each section or container.

Utilize Space Efficiently

• Keep the small items in separate ziplocks or baggies in small plastic containers.
• Keep only similar items in each box. Sounds simple, done easily.

Regular Maintenance

• Always keep your wall racks clean
• Do not let moisture or dust grow
• Declutter damaged items and fix any issues with your rack immediately 

Expandable Options

• If you buy the wall rack, get one with the adjustable compartments
• If you set up one, design shelves with dividers to upgrade it as your hardware collections upgrade.

7 Tips for Organizing and Sorting Nails and Screws

You got into the game of organizing and sorting your hardware. Now what about a brief checklist to help you keep them sorted?

They are as follows:

1. Sort by Size or Type

• Always keep similar items in the same compartment.
• First, divide the hardware according to your needs, size, and types, then organize with rows and compartments.

2. Use Clear Containers

• Always use clear containers or plastic bins. So, you can find the tool you’re looking for in a wide variety of collections.
• I personally don’t suggest keeping your hardware in Mason jars. It is definitely not one of the best ways to organize nuts and bolts.

3. Label Everything

Labeling everything is the biggest organizing hack. You want to keep things sorted, so you label.

• Color-code by type, and label with the size and usage of each type of your fasteners.
• Don’t leave anything unlabeled or in a place labeled for other tools.

4. Utilize Dividers

• If you have a wall rack, use dividers and compartments to create more space.
• Keep the items sorted. Do not keep wood screws with nuts and bolts.

5. Arrange by Frequency of Use

• Keep the most used items closer to your reach.
• While stacking storage bins, keep the lesser-used items at the bottom.

6. Keep an Inventory List

A frequently asked question is: How do I store screws and nails in the garage?

So if you keep these both in your storeroom and garage, then an inventory list is a must. This is like a cherry on top for labeling.

• Organize with name, category, size, weight, quantity, and place. This not only makes it easier to find your fasteners, but you will also know what you need to restock beforehand.

7. Regularly Assess and Reorganize

• Toss and declutter immediately, and make routine to do it regularly.
• To ensure the longevity of your hardware, keep the environment of your storage clean. Never let dust or moisture grow.
• To keep the work area tidy, make the habit to clean up the leftovers immediately.
• Check and update the inventory list.

So, Let’s Say You Made It Successfully!

You don’t only learn the best from this ultimate guide to organizing and storing screws and nails. You will also become a pro!

Because if you follow these above-mentioned tips, there is no way you will ever have to struggle with your hardware. Be it a large collection or a small one.

So, what’s holding you back? Go ahead, put these tips into action, and enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free environment.

Happy Organizing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)