Workshop/Garage ideas - A practical guide to get started

[69MyWay]

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Getting started begins with a solid plan. You need to take inventory of the tools, equipment, parts, and general supplies you regularly keep on hand. Consider what kind of projects you do so you can determine the amount of workbench space and open floor area needed. Sit down with paper and pencil and sketch out some ideas. Try to imagine what kind of projects you will be doing and how best to arrange your workspace and storage to fit those project goals. Don’t forget to plan some wiggle room as equipment and tools will come and go. You may not own a sandblaster now, but it could be in your future. Leaving some floor or closet space will be a big benefit in the long run. Go through all your tools and supplies one by one. You will find all kind of items that should have been discarded (or returned to your neighbor) years ago that will only free up more space for necessary tools and supplies.

Estimate your building expense by working off your sketch. You can rough out the linear feet of lumbar, hardware items, and supplies from the sketch. This estimating procedure will make your trip to the hardware store more efficient and reduce the need for return trips. You may also have been mailed a 10% off coupon from one of the major hardware stores. Put as many supplies on that one bill as possible to maximize your discount. If the store offers a credit card with 90 days same as cash, you can spread out the cost over 3 months and make it a bit easier to swallow all at once. Don’t forget to invest in a large tarpaulin to protect your tools, parts, supplies, and lumbar that will be moved outside during the build.

A couple of building techniques to consider include building actual stud wall off your exiting garage walls. Short walls that extend the depth of the workbench increase the amount of wall square footage and visually segregate portions of the work area. For example, you can install two 6’ counter tops. Between the counter tops build a stud wall facing the end of each counter top about 3’ between the walls. This will create a nook to store large bulky items like engine hoists or engines on stands. You can use the wall space adjacent to each side for hanging of other tools or supplies. This area can also be closed in with a door hung in the front to create a storage closet between the workbenches. Drywall is a great material to use on your stud walls. However, you will have to use anchors when screwing brackets and other items into these walls not backed by a stud. Plywood walls don’t look as nice as finished drywall. However, they will allow driving nails or screws virtually anywhere in the surface to hang or support other items.

Integrating peg board, slotted shelf board, and other pre-made garage storage solutions into your plan will only increase the flexibility of the workspace. The wire closet made open shelving is easy to install between your newly created stud walls and allows light to travel through the open shelves to keep the workspace bright. You can maximize storage space by investing in plastic storage boxes to slide onto the closet made wire shelving units. Dollar stores, Big Lots, and others usually have great deals on plastic containers you can use to store your parts, tools, and supplies.

Don’t forget your attic space. Installing an attic door with stairs will take the better part of an afternoon and open hundreds of square foot for storage. Some plywood runners in the attic and a hanging shop light will allow you to easily store items safely in the attic with easy access. The more you can store in the attic the more space you can create in the workshop.

The last item to consider is a portable storage shed. Getting your lawnmower, edger, wheelbarrow, leaf blower, shovels, rakes, gas cans, and other yard and house maintenance items out of the shop space is always a plus. Be sure to check your local codes and ordinances regarding the style, size, and location of storage sheds on your property.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that spending some time upfront to organize and personalize your workspace will streamline your efficiency when tackling the weekend warrior projects and increase the value of workspace to your home and family. Get creative, have fun, and look for cool ways to recycle materials to save money and have fun!