By Estelle | HerWorkshop.co.uk
Let me be transparent with you: my current tool storage is a single orange plastic toolbox from B&Q. It has a handle. It has a removable tray in the lid for small bits. It does the job.
But my tool collection has grown considerably since I bought that box, and the limitations are becoming obvious. A circular saw doesn’t really fit alongside a drill alongside a jigsaw alongside a spirit level — not without a game of tool Tetris every time I need something.
This guide covers the full range — from why starting simple is fine, to the organised, modular systems that make a proper workshop genuinely efficient.
💬 Estelle’s note: I still use my B&Q orange plastic toolbox — the simple one with the handle and the lid tray. For someone starting out, it’s completely adequate. Everything I need for most jobs fits in it, and it’s easy to carry from room to room. The limitation is that as your collection grows, you end up with tools piled on top of tools and you spend time hunting for things. The upgrade to a proper system is one of the most satisfying purchases you can make once you’re ready for it.
What Type of Tool Storage Do You Need?
Before spending anything, think about how you use your tools:
- A stationary storage system or chest makes sense. You want organised access rather than portability. — Working in one place (home workshop / garage)
- A portable toolbox or bag you can carry easily is more practical than a large chest. — Moving between rooms and jobs
- A single good toolbox is all you need. Don’t over-invest in storage for tools you use twice a year. — Occasional DIY
- A modular stackable system is worth investing in — it grows with you and keeps everything organised. — Growing collection / serious DIY
Our Top Picks
🥇 Best All-Round — Stanley Essential 19″ Toolbox
💰 Price: ~£20–£28 | Plastic | 19 inch
If you want one solid, reliable toolbox that does everything a home DIYer needs, the Stanley Essential is the benchmark. It has metal latches (not plastic — they’re far more durable), a removable tote tray that gives you two layers of storage, and compartments in the lid for screws, fixings and small parts.
The Stanley Essential is available in multiple sizes. The 19″ is the most practical for a home toolkit — large enough for your main tools, compact enough to carry comfortably and store in a cupboard.
Best for: Anyone who wants a reliable, sensible toolbox without complication. The upgrade from a B&Q basic box.
- ✅ Metal latches — far more durable than plastic
- ✅ Removable tote tray — two layers of storage
- ✅ Lid compartments for small parts
- ✅ Trusted Stanley quality
- ✅ Available in multiple sizes
- ❌ Not waterproof
- ❌ Fixed organisation — no custom dividers
🥈 Best for Carrying Tools on Jobs — Stanley Open Tote Bag
💰 Price: ~£25–£35 | Canvas/nylon | 18 inch
If you move between rooms or jobs regularly, an open tote bag is often more practical than a rigid toolbox. You can see all your tools at a glance without opening a lid, access them quickly, and the soft sides mean it squashes into tight spaces.
The Stanley Open Tote is the go-to recommendation — durable, well-pocketed, and with enough capacity for a day’s worth of tools. The reinforced base holds its shape even when full, and the multiple exterior pockets keep bits and blades accessible without digging.
Best for: DIYers who carry tools between rooms, jobs or properties and need quick access.
- ✅ Open top — see all tools at a glance
- ✅ Multiple pockets for small items
- ✅ Lightweight and flexible
- ✅ Reinforced base holds shape
- ❌ Less protection for tools than a rigid box
- ❌ Can get disorganised quickly
🥉 Best Modular System — DeWalt TSTAK Modular Storage
💰 Price: ~£20–£60 per unit | Stackable modular system
Once your collection outgrows a single toolbox, a modular stacking system is the answer. DeWalt’s TSTAK system is the best available for home use — the units click together into a stable tower, can be separated independently, and cover everything from deep boxes for power tools to shallow organisers for blades and small parts.
If you already own DeWalt tools, TSTAK is even more compelling — most DeWalt cordless tools come in TSTAK-compatible cases, so your whole system integrates neatly. The waterproof, stackable design means it survives a garage or van environment, and the robust latches lock each unit securely.
Best for: Serious DIYers with a growing collection who want a proper, organised storage system.
- ✅ Stackable — grows with your collection
- ✅ Waterproof and robust
- ✅ Wide range of unit types
- ✅ Integrates with DeWalt tool cases
- ✅ Secure connecting latches
- ❌ Can get expensive building a full system
- ❌ Best suited to DeWalt tool owners
⭐ Best Budget Starter — B&Q / Magnusson Plastic Toolbox
💰 Price: ~£8–£15 | Plastic | 16–18 inch
Here’s the honest truth: for someone just starting out, the basic orange plastic toolbox from B&Q — the kind I use — is absolutely fine. It holds your tools, it has a lid tray, it has a handle. That’s all you need.
Don’t buy expensive storage before you have expensive tools worth storing. Start simple, understand what you actually need, then upgrade when the limitations become genuinely frustrating.
Best for: New DIYers just starting out who need somewhere to keep a basic toolkit.
- ✅ Very affordable
- ✅ Does the job for a basic toolkit
- ✅ Widely available
- ❌ Plastic latches less durable
- ❌ Limited organisation
💡 Best for Small Parts — Stanley FatMax Organiser
💰 Price: ~£20–£35 | Plastic | Various sizes
Whatever your main storage solution, a separate small parts organiser is one of the most useful purchases you can make. The Stanley FatMax range offers waterproof compartment boxes with transparent lids, removable dividers and secure latches that allow multiple units to be stacked and clipped together.
Having a dedicated organiser for drill bits, screws, wall plugs, fixings and blades saves an enormous amount of time — no more hunting in the bottom of a toolbox for a 5mm masonry bit. Everything visible, everything accessible.
Best for: Anyone who wants to organise small parts, fixings and accessories properly.
- ✅ Transparent lid — see contents immediately
- ✅ Removable dividers — customisable
- ✅ Stackable with other FatMax units
- ✅ Waterproof seal
- ❌ Not for large tools
Comparison Table
| Option | Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Essential 19″ | Rigid toolbox | ~£25 | All-round home toolbox |
| Stanley Open Tote Bag | Soft tool bag | ~£30 | Carrying tools between jobs |
| DeWalt TSTAK System | Modular stackable | ~£25–60/unit | Growing serious collection |
| B&Q Basic Toolbox | Rigid toolbox | ~£10 | Starting out — starter toolkit |
| Stanley FatMax Organiser | Small parts storage | ~£25 | Screws, bits and fixings |
Tips for Keeping Your Tools Organised
- Return tools to the same place every time — sounds obvious, but it’s the one habit that makes the biggest difference.
- Keep fixings and small parts in a separate organiser, not loose in the bottom of your toolbox.
- Label compartments if you’re using a multi-drawer system — especially for bits and small parts.
- Store batteries on the charger or in a dry, room-temperature environment. Cold, damp garage storage degrades batteries faster.
- Clean tools before storing them — dried sawdust and rust are the enemies of tool longevity.
- If you have the wall space, a pegboard with hooks is one of the most satisfying and practical storage upgrades you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a tool bag and a toolbox?
A rigid toolbox protects tools better and is more organised. A soft tool bag is lighter, more flexible and practical for carrying tools between locations. For home use, a toolbox is usually the better choice. For tradespeople who move between jobs, a bag is often preferred.
Are modular stacking systems worth it?
Absolutely — once your collection has outgrown a single box. They keep everything organised and accessible, grow with your toolkit, and the robust cases protect your tools properly. DeWalt TSTAK is the best system for home DIYers.
Should I store power tools in their cases?
Yes — the moulded cases that come with power tools protect them from knocks and keep the battery and accessories together. If your tools came with cases, use them. A modular system like TSTAK integrates these cases neatly.
How do I stop my toolbox becoming a black hole?
Dedicate a separate small parts organiser for screws, fixings and small bits. This is the single change that makes the biggest difference. Everything that isn’t a proper tool goes in the organiser, not the main toolbox.
Final Verdict
Start simple — a decent rigid toolbox like the Stanley Essential handles the basics brilliantly and won’t let you down. If you’re carrying tools between rooms or jobs, the Stanley Open Tote is the more practical choice.
When your collection grows and the single box starts to feel chaotic, that’s the time to invest in a modular system like DeWalt TSTAK. It’ll transform how your workshop functions.
And if you’re still using a B&Q orange box — that’s absolutely fine. I am too. 🔧
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever recommend tools I genuinely believe in.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments below — I’m happy to help! 🔧