Not Just a Drawer Stack — Exactly What We Needed

How Custom Tool Storage Transformed Our Workflow (and Why It Matters for Your Garage)

At GarageCabinets.com, we’ve spent decades helping homeowners turn cluttered garages into organized, high-performance spaces. And along the way, we’ve learned something important: true organization doesn’t come from more storage — it comes from the right storage.

That’s why we build every cabinet around a simple, powerful idea we call Design to Fit.

Design to Fit is more than a tagline. It’s a promise. It means every cabinet, every drawer, and every inch of your layout is built around your stuff — the tools, gear, and equipment that matter to you.

 

And sometimes, the best way to explain what Design to Fit really means… is to show it in action. So here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we solved a real-world challenge in our own shop — and how that same thinking can transform your garage, too.

The Problem: Small Tools, Big Consequences

In our manufacturing shop, CNC routers are essential to what we do. These machines cut, shape, and finish components with precision — and the tooling behind them is both expensive and delicate.

From diamond-coated router bits to specialized left- and right-hand drill heads, we rely on a wide variety of components. And like any tool-based system, how you store them directly impacts your efficiency, accuracy, and bottom line.

Here’s what we were dealing with:

  • Dozens of tooling types, each with unique shapes and sizes
  • Delicate bits that could be easily damaged if tossed in a bin
  • The need to track inventory to avoid production delays
  • A system that had to be fast and easy for the team to use

The worst part? These tools are small. Standard drawers — the kind you find at a big box store — are often too deep, turning into junk drawers where everything gets mixed up. Vertical space is wasted. Tools get buried. Time gets lost.

And with tools costing hundreds of dollars apiece, the margin for error is zero.

The Solution: A Cabinet Built for the Job

This wasn’t a situation where we could settle for “close enough.” We needed a custom solution that fit our tools perfectly.

Using our Design to Fit system, we built exactly that.

We designed three custom cabinet stacks:

  • Each cabinet is 15” wide and 35” tall — perfectly sized for the space and the tools
  • The upper drawers are all shallow — just 3” tall, built for small tooling
  • The bottom drawers are 5” tall, to house larger or grouped bits

Each drawer is purpose-built for a specific category of tools. One holds 5mm left-hand bits. The next? 5mm right-hand. Side by side. Never mixed. Easy to access. Easy to label. Easy to restock.

What we ended up with isn’t just a cabinet.

It’s a complete tooling management system — built right into the drawers.

Want to See How It Works?

We recorded a quick screen share video to show exactly how we built this setup using our in-house design software. In it, you’ll see how we adjusted each drawer front height down to the quarter-inch — making sure every tool had a home.

👉 [Watch the video here]

Whether you're storing CNC bits like we are, organizing your cordless tool collection, or figuring out how to make room for all your fly fishing gear — this video shows just how far “Design to Fit” can go.

Why This Matters for Your Garage

You might not be managing industrial tooling. But the same principle applies whether you’re a car enthusiast, hobby woodworker, cycling fanatic, or just tired of tripping over yard tools every weekend.

Your garage isn’t like anyone else’s — so why should your cabinets be?

Design to Fit means:

  • Cabinets built around your tools and gear — not generic sizes
  • Custom drawers that fit what you store, from socket sets to seed packets
  • Smart, space-efficient layouts that keep everything in reach and out of the way

No more wasted vertical space. No more “good enough” plastic bins. And no more settling for whatever’s in stock at the hardware store.

Yes — We Can Build That for You, Too

If you’ve used our CabDesigner™ tool, you already know it’s powerful. You can customize cabinet widths, heights, colors, drawer types, and even door styles — all from your computer.

But what most people don’t realize is: that’s just the beginning.

When you work with one of our Project Designers, you unlock an even deeper level of customization. We can modify drawer front heights to match specific items. We can adapt cabinets to tricky corners, sloped floors, or odd garage layouts. We can design around columns, water heaters, or your favorite tool chest.

Need drawers that are 2.75″ tall? We can do that.

Need to match the layout around your golf simulator or workbench? We’ve done that, too.

Our team has designed thousands of garages for homeowners just like you — and our cabinets are all Made in the USA, powder-coated for durability, and backed by a lifetime warranty. Plus, since we sell factory-direct, you get professional-grade cabinetry at a price that makes sense.

DIY-Friendly — But Never On Your Own

We know our audience: homeowners who take pride in doing it themselves. People who want control over their space and the satisfaction that comes from building something right.

That’s why our cabinets are designed to be DIY-friendly, with expert support just a phone call or email away. Whether you’re installing a single cabinet or redoing your entire garage, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Your Turn: Let’s Build Something Together

Whether you’ve started designing your garage or you’re still browsing, this is your sign to go beyond standard.

Your storage should work for you — not the other way around.

👉 Start your free garage design today using our CabDesigner™ tool.