What are your Tips for an Organized Workbench? [Ask e14 - Join, Share & Win Competition] - Winner Announcement

Probably already mentioned by others, but the best tip I follow to keep my workbench organised is " learn by others, apply what you like and works for you".
In my home lab, I like to keep the workbench clear because I like the feeling of starting a new project without any excuses to put it off - I can just sit down, prepare the instruments, and get started.  This works well for me as I only have time to work on one project at a time, allowing me to do so in the most efficient way. Once the project is finished, I clean all up. Instruments have their place as components and prototypes do. Of course, during projects the bench is a mess, but I consider that normal.
Being conscious of what I buy is another great point. I don't have to keep organized things I don't own 

My top tip? Don’t aim for a perfectly neat bench—aim for a system that works for you.

Everyone talks about color-coded bins and sparkling clean benches. Mine? It looks like an electronics flea market, but with rules only I understand.

Projects don’t get cleared away until they’re finished… or abandoned. Otherwise, I’d spend more time packing than building.

Components live in a set of drawers that follow a strict system: office, projects, cables, tools, random stuff. Very logical (to me).

Small parts? They go into smaller boxes, inside boxes, inside bigger boxes. Russian dolls, but geek edition.

Evaluation boards (Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, etc.) all live happily in one big “VIP” box.

My 3D printer is exiled to the other side of the room so it can make noise without driving me crazy.

Ironically, people call it messy, but I can put my hands on the right capacitor faster than someone with a picture-perfect pegboard. My secret? Organized chaos, with just enough discipline not to blow up the lab.

Jan Cumps All that dougw mentions is true - except maybe the "induce voltage" thing - but I do suspect that it could mess with the operation of some MCUs.  Periodically, I use needle nose pliers to start small nuts on bolts.  With magnetic pliers, the nut likes to lay down on the side of the pliers - because there is more attracted surface area.  It's a minor inconvenience - unless it's the fourth or fifth time you're trying to set the nut. 
I also have a set of non-magnetized small pliers in top shelf of the workbench as a Plan B.  Magnetic pliers also "grab" random components on the bench from time to time - especially at an inopportune time.  I need it to position a piece and VoilaI  I get an extra 1nF capacitor along with the pliers. 

Thanks for the inspiration. I have a plastic rolling toolbox ,from an E14 shopping cart, that is used for "small tools" similar to this : 

https://www.newark.com/duratool/22-9894/plastic-rolling-workshop/dp/12P9973

I keep it under my electronics workbench (which right now is the ping pong table because the toolcrib workbenches are full) 

Im going to mount a magnetic tool bar to mount to the front of the toolbox for the quick grab tools - a couple screwdrivers, clippers, snippers, long nose pliers, small guage wire stripper, and small tape measure. 

Good morning everyone,
First, remember where everything is!!!
Then use storage boxes that are easily accessible!!!

There are only two rules to organizing one's workbench; 1) a job/project is never done until you have cleaned up the mess created by the job/project and 2) follow whatever advice your wife suggests? 8^)

It's sometimes annoying that the resistor legs "stick" to the cutter when removing them. But at the same time, it's nice not having them fly around the bench when the cutter "snaps".

Magnetic tools can induce voltages in circuitry or mess with magnetic fields, but I don't think this has ever bitten me.

Magnetic screwdrivers are hard to position close to steel.

They can magnetize things you don't want magnetized.

There is more, right?