Workshop Drawer Organization: 3 Ways to Organize Small Parts
It's amazing how quickly a workshop drawer can become a catchall for screws, hardware, small tools, and all those odds and ends that don't seem to have a permanent home.
Before long, finding what you need means digging through a pile of parts.
The secret to better workshop drawer organization is simple: Divide and conquer.
By adding a few shop-made dividers, removable trays, and custom inserts, you can turn an ordinary drawer into an efficient storage system. Best of all, these solutions are inexpensive, easy to customize, and designed to make use of the space you already have.
Here are three practical ways to get your shop drawers organized.
1. Make Interlocking Drawer Dividers for Shallow Drawers
One of the easiest ways to organize a shallow drawer is with a drop-in grid made from ¼"-thick hardboard.
This simple system creates individual compartments for storing small tools, hardware, and other supplies without permanently modifying the drawer.
The grid consists of identical strips of hardboard with matching notches cut into them. When assembled, the strips interlock to form a series of compartments.
Build a Custom-Fit Divider Grid
Start by measuring the inside dimensions of your drawer.
Cut the hardboard strips to fit, then lay out the locations of the intersecting dividers.
Cut matching notches halfway through the width of each strip so the pieces slip together.
Once the strips are assembled into a grid, simply drop the organizer into the drawer.
The advantage of this design is that you can customize the size and arrangement of the compartments to suit the items you want to store.
And since the grid isn't permanently attached, you can remove it or make a different arrangement as your storage needs change.
2. Double Your Drawer Storage with Removable Trays
A simple divider grid works well in shallow drawers, but deep drawers present a different challenge.
When everything is stored in a single layer, smaller items can get buried beneath larger ones. That makes it difficult to see what you have or reach the items at the bottom.
My solution is to divide a deep drawer into two storage levels.
The lower level consists of a divided box, while removable totes sit above it.
Build a Divided Box for the Bottom
The lower organizer is a simple box fitted with internal dividers.
When sizing the box, allow approximately 1⁄16" of clearance between the box and the inside of the drawer. This makes it easier to lift the organizer out when necessary.
The dividers fit into dadoes cut in the sides of the box.
You can also add smaller subdividers to create compartments sized for different tools, fasteners, and accessories.
Add Portable Storage Totes Above
To take advantage of the unused space above the lower box, I made a pair of removable totes.
Each tote includes fixed dividers and a wooden handle.
Besides keeping small items organized, the totes have another useful feature: You can lift one out of the drawer and carry it directly to your workbench.
That's particularly convenient when you're working on a project that requires several different pieces of hardware.
Allow Clearance Between the Totes
The totes are constructed much like the lower box, but there are a few differences worth noting.
First, allow approximately 1⁄16" of clearance between the totes so they can be lifted in and out independently.
Second, the rabbets and dadoes for the tote dividers are cut into the front and back pieces rather than the sides.
You'll also need to cut notches for the wooden handles and grooves to hold the ¼"-thick hardboard bottoms.
3. Organize Small Hardware with Custom Drawer Inserts
Tiny screws, washers, nuts, and other hardware can be especially difficult to keep organized.
One solution I like is storing these items in small, round containers commonly called watchmaker's cases.
The containers keep individual types of hardware separated, but there's still a problem: Without some way to hold them in place, they can slide around inside the drawer.
That's where a custom drawer insert comes in.
Cut Openings to Hold the Containers
Start with a piece of ¼"-thick hardboard cut to fit inside the drawer, allowing approximately 1⁄16" of clearance.
Arrange the round cases on the hardboard, leaving enough space between them for easy access.
Once you're satisfied with the layout, trace around the cases and cut the openings.
The cases fit into the cutouts, keeping them neatly arranged instead of scattered across the drawer.
Add a Second Sliding Layer
If the containers are shallow, you can make even better use of the drawer by adding a second organizer above the first.
I made the upper insert approximately half the length of the drawer so it can slide back and forth, providing access to the containers underneath.
The upper insert is attached to a base made from MDF or plywood to support the cases.
I also added runners along the bottom edges of the upper insert. These provide the clearance needed for the upper organizer to slide over the cases stored below.
Just make sure the runners are tall enough to clear the lower containers.
Make the Most of Your Workshop Drawer Space
Good workshop organization isn't necessarily about adding more cabinets or buying expensive storage systems.
Often, the best solution is to make better use of the space you already have.
An interlocking grid keeps shallow drawers organized. Removable totes make deep drawers more useful. And custom inserts keep small hardware containers from shifting around.
Each of these DIY drawer organizers can be adapted to fit your existing shop furniture and the items you need to store.
With a little planning and a few pieces of hardboard or plywood, you can transform cluttered workshop drawers into practical storage that makes every project a little easier.
More Workshop Storage & Organization Tips
Organizing your drawers is a great start, but there's plenty more you can do to keep your workshop running smoothly.
From wall-mounted tool racks and hardware organizers to clever storage cabinets and space-saving accessories, our collection of workshop storage and organization tips is packed with practical ideas you can put to work in your shop.
EXPLORE MORE WORKSHOP STORAGE IDEAS → Put Every Inch of Your Workshop to Work
