Storage Bins

For the Trade

You’re usually choosing storage bins on three things: what’s going in, how often you need to get at it, and how hard they’ll be handled. Clear storage bins help when parts are picked all day and you need to see what’s left without opening every one. Lidded storage bins suit kit that needs keeping together in transit, but the lid is another part to lose or break. Stackable storage bins save space on the bench or in the van, though they only work properly if the stack stays stable when loaded. For rougher use, heavy duty storage bins are the one to go for. Cheap ones are the first to crack when they get thrown about.

Storage Bin Types and Layouts

At the counter, the first split is usually between open, lidded and stackable storage bins. Open bins suit fast picking when you want parts close to hand. Lidded storage bins make more sense if the contents are being moved, knocked about or left in a van.

Stackable storage bins are the pick when floor space is tight and the stack will stay put. If the load is awkward or the stack gets handled a lot, a heavy duty storage bin is the better call. Clear storage bins help when you need stock at a glance, but they’re no use if the contents need covering.

If you’re comparing the full Shelving & Storage range, layout matters more than the label.

What to Check Before You Buy

Plastic storage bins are lighter to move, kinder on shelving, and less likely to mark surfaces. That makes them a practical pick for mixed parts and regular handling.

A heavier plastic storage box feels firmer and usually takes knocks better, but you give up a bit on weight and bulk. Clear versions save time when you need stock at a glance. Opaque ones are less fussy about what’s inside.

If you’re buying alongside Tool Storage, think about how often the contents get lifted out. For a run of units in a bay, Garage Shelving usually has more say over size and stacking than the bin itself.

Useful Alongside Storage Bins

Once you’ve picked the storage bins, the next call is what’s holding them and what else sits around them. If the bins are taking weight and volume, you’re usually into garage shelving or racking. If the kit needs to move with you, tool storage makes more sense.

Where you need to see stock at a glance, clear storage bins save opening every tub. For mixed parts and loose fixings, lidded storage bins, stackable storage bins and heavy duty storage bins are the usual next pick. Wall shelves or twin slot shelving come in when you’re finishing the area and want smaller stock off the floor, but only if the fixings and load suit the job.