BBQs, I prefer pencils but that's totally subjective. I started with some Staedtler Ergosoft pencils purely because they were on special offer in Tescos (£4 for 12 - not sure if offer is still on but that was during the Back To School frenzy). And then I got quite a few Derwent (different types) as it was my bday recently and I went to the Pencil Museum as well! And I love the Derwent enough to want to stick with them. But my art student son left behind 2 packets of Staedtler fineliners (very skinny felt pen type things) which work better in the books with finer detail or can be used alongside the pencils and I am finding although I prefer pencils, I like to use the pens for some details.
There's so much to explore. I'd start off spending as little as possible and maybe try both to see which you prefer, then build from there.
ladybird I just keep mine in the tins they came in - mainly Derwent sets so they came in tins which are slim enough to slip into my bookcases. But years ago I got some plywood sort of cubby hole storage things in Ikea and they are great for loose pens, pencils, rubbers, sharpeners etc. I have moved my two Ikea storage boxes back into book shelves so they're close at hand! I have an old Paperchase pencil case as well.