Garage | Home Maintenance | Organization

How To Create A Garage Workshop

Most people tend to think that creating your own garage workshop requires a lot of money, but that’s not the case here. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of elbow grease and a lot of imagination.

So, let’s answer the most important question right away: how do you create a garage workshop that won’t tear a hole in your pocket, but is still worth a thousand praise? The answer lies within the amount of effort you’re willing to put into the project. Meaning, determination, creativity, and a little pocket money can get you there.

In this article, I’ll be showing you a few tips and tricks on how to create a garage workshop from scratch, using creativity and resourcefulness to ensure that the project is both affordable and feasible.

How to Create an Affordable Garage Workshop

  1. Cleaning

How To Create A Garage Workshop - Toolbox Divas

The first thing you would want to do is clear out your garage. Yes, it may sound tedious, but you’ll need to have a blank canvas before you can start painting, right?

This step will cost you literally nothing, and will possibly earn you money from salvageable items in the mess. So I won’t skip this step, if I were you, no matter how difficult it can be.

  1. Plan out your garage workshop

Before you get right on with creating your workbench, setting up your equipment, and organizing your tools, you will need to plan where you’re going to put all of this.

First and foremost, you need to sort out where you’re going to position your heater and cooling system. Of course, if you already have this installed (which is most likely) you need to plan out your layout according to the position of your heater and AC. It is most wise to place your workbench, the general area of your work, near the direction of the heater or near the heater itself, so you can work all year-round.  As follows, your storage area will need to be close to your workbench, such that you can access these stores easily and quickly.

  1. Create or buy a sturdy work bench

You have two options when it comes to acquiring a suitable work bench. One: you can buy one for yourself in a home store, or two: you can create one of your own from scratch. Of course, the first option is bound to be more convenient than the other, but consider these factors:

When creating your own workbench, you can construct it such that it suits your needs i.e. size and sturdiness. A custom workbench can allow you to set your own size, length, and thickness of the board you’re going to use.

How to Tutorial on building a workbench that's compact, mobile and stylish.

How to Tutorial on building a workbench that’s compact, mobile and stylish.

Learn how I built my miter saw table
Learn how to build this miter saw table

Generally, I recommend this option so that people with a lot of heavy hammering to do can create a workbench that can withstand the stress (thicker, heavier workbench), and people with more tinkering and less hammering can create a lighter and thinner workbench.

Now, let’s look at the price and see why you want to opt for a custom workbench instead. For instance, a commercial workbench can cost around $200-300 for good quality. On the other hand, creating your custom workbench can go for under $150, and that includes high-quality lumber as well.

  1. Consider a utility table

Of course, a single work bench may not be enough for most of us, and the good news is: a simple utility table is pretty cheap and simple to make. With a few pieces of plywood and 2x4s, you can construct your own utility bench and put that against the corner for extra surface storage.

  1. Storage and organization

Now it’s time for the fun part: storage and organization. In this section, I’ll be giving you the best storage tips that you can employ on your own garage workshop, so you won’t have worry about clutter anymore.

Peg boards

I love peg boards. They’re a must-have in any garage workshop, and you’ll be wanting one of your own for easy and simple organization.

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With one or two peg boards above your utility table, you can see all of your tools and equipment without having to rummage in drawers so you can keep your workshop neat and organized.

Shelves

Using as much wall space as you can is a good idea, especially if your garage is a little bit cramped or you want all of your stuff near your work bench. Shelves in your garage can be the space for indispensable clutter, boxes of equipment and tools, and spare wood pieces, among many others.

Similarly, sturdy hooks on your wall can be the storage area for bigger items such as shovels, rakes, or hoses.

Garage - Toolbox Divas

Bits and pieces

No doubt, the small bits and pieces of tools are the easiest to get lost or misplaced. This includes things such as wire nuts, bolts, nails, and screws.

So how do you organize them? Well, you have a lot of options under there. You can use regular household items to store your odds and ends, where they are easily organized and with much less chances of getting lost.

  • Mason jars
  • Canisters
  • Wall-mounted spice rack
  • Recycled cans
  • Tray organizers
  1. Electrical and lighting

Now, when you’ve nearly got all things down, it’s time to sort your electrical outlets and lights. Firstly, you can install as many outlets as you see fit that are all near your workspace. Get an electrician to do it for you if you’re not confident with the work.

Garage - Toolbox Divas  Garage - Toolbox Divas    Garage - Toolbox Divas

On the other hand, you need adequate lighting in your garage workshop if you want to see clearly. The garage tends to have dim lighting, so I recommend installing a white fluorescent light that is not only bright, but can last a very long time. Another tip is to install a 3-way switch near your door and another near your workshop, so you can turn your lights on and off alternatively from both places.

  1. Tools and equipment

And finally, what is a garage workshop without the proper tools and equipment? This step is pretty simple: if you don’t have enough tools in your garage to supplement your workshop, go out and buy the best deals you can find to keep things affordable.

Conclusion

These are just some of the tips and a run-down on the basic things you want to do when setting up your own garage workshop. Most of these steps require a lot of work and effort, but you’ll see all of it paying off when you’re standing in your own garage workshop.

Thanks for reading!

 

This article was written by Emma Clark from The Art of Home Renovations, an interior designer with one true passion: home improvement. With her experience and skills, she helps you transform your home into a revolutionary & magical work of art through easy, inexpensive, and innovative ideas that you can DIY!

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for giving me a chance to contribute my article! Great work!

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