Tool Caddy Organization

Remember the tool solution I mentioned in my hall closet makeover? I just used it for the first time! I was sooo happy with it that I knew I needed to share details right away.

Have you ever seen this adorable Starlight Turtle?

It projects constellations and a moon onto the ceiling in green, blue, or yellow. C used to love this thing, pushing all the buttons to cycle through the colors helped him fall asleep, and since it automatically shuts off after 30 minutes I never worried about wasting batteries. After about a year, though, the batteries died. Since the battery compartment was locked up with one of those itty bitty screws needing an itty bitty screwdriver that I could never seem to find, I just put it on my list of things to do and never got around to it.

See, the toobox I was using just wasn't working out.

I loved that it doubled as a step stool, but as I added more and more tools it started to get too heavy to haul out of the closet. It was annoying to crouch down, open the latch, and hunt for whatever tool it was that I needed. So annoying, in fact, that my regularly used tools ended up just being tossed on the shelf in the closet where I could grab them easily. Of course that eventually caused a pileup of random junk and I still couldn't find anything I needed (like an itty bitty screwdriver) so I knew I needed a easier, more organized way to access my regularly used tools.

Enter my new tool caddy!

I picked it up at Target for about $3 because I loved the color. Originally it was being used to store my everyday makeup and hair supplies, but it wasn't quite working out so I decided to re-purpose it. When I ws cleaning, purging, and organizing the hall closet I tried to think of any quick projects where I would prefer having the tools immediately on hand: hanging pictures, measuring something, etc. I gathered up all the tools and items on my list:

1. level
2. multi-tool
3. hammer
4. stud-finder
5. flashlight
6. staple gun and staples
7. scissors
8. loose nails and screws
9. drywall anchors
10. wrench
11. Command strips
12. scraper
13. zip ties
14. teeny screwdrivers
15. Sharpie
16. tape measure
17. box cutter

Then I sorted them into the tool caddy, making sure to evenly distribute the weight.

Look, there are my itty bitty screwdrivers, right there in plain view!

When I finally decided to change the batteries in C's turtle (after it had been hibernating in the closet for around 6 months) I just grabbed my caddy and the tools I needed were right there! Plus, once I was done it was a piece of cake to just toss them back in their caddy spot and then slide the whole thing back into the closet. I'm sure the tools will change over time as I decide what's really necessary and what isn't, but I think the idea of a tool caddy is here to stay!

And look, now that the batteries have been changed the turtle lights up beautifully!

C is thrilled to have his little turtle friend back. I can hear him over the monitor constantly telling all his other bed buddies "Wook! Wook! Itsa MOOON! Wook! See? Der it is! Itsa MOON!"

I think two-year olds are adorable.

Linked to:

Type A Decorating

Debbiedoos

The DIY Showoff