Imagine having your garage set up precisely how you need it — and want it. All the tools you need for your favorite hobbies and most crucial projects are precisely where you expect them to be, the space is clear of clutter, you can move around freely and you can get things done quickly because your workshop has a great flow. Maybe you're a massive car enthusiast, have a green thumb or are handy with every tool in the shop. No matter what you love, you can tailor your shop to fit your passions.
Build a place to store all your tools, gadgets, machines and vehicles. You can make your space organized and DIY-ready for any project, and also make it an ideal place to hang out and chill. Renovate your garage into a systematic zone that is practical, enjoyable and entertaining. When it is set up to your standards and feels comfortable, you will jump into projects right away instead of avoiding them when you have a disorganized space.
Before starting, you need to think about the same things you would if you were conducting a house construction project. Depending on the extent of the garage makeover you are dreaming up, you may need a permit. You may also need to think about site prep, foundation, roofing and mechanics. Whether you work with metal or wood, you can design the ultimate garage workshop by following a few simple steps from the experts at Construction Fasteners & Tools.
Start By Cleaning and Preparing Your Garage
How to set up a workshop in your garage starts with cleaning it out. We do not only mean sweeping the floors but also getting rid of anything that does not constitute DIY material or essential tools. Remove household items and extra clutter such as storage boxes, bikes, empty luggage bags, camping supplies, games, old toys, photo albums and holiday decorations.
If you can store the miscellaneous bits and pieces in the attic, shed or another area, it gives you open space to operate electric tools and work on vehicles. If moving the clutter is not an option, you can split your garage in half by denoting one area for storage and one for working.
When it comes to cleaning and preparing your garage, safety is the highest concern. Make sure to clear an open path and pick everything up off the floor. Having an exposed walkway and workspace prevents tripping and accidents. It is easier to access your tools and helps you see where you are moving.
Always keep your work table clean of clutter and clear of pile-ups. If there are too many screws, tools and materials on the bench, you can misplace what you need, and it can become too much to handle. When you have the optimal capacity to build and operate, you stay organized, and it helps get you in the right mindset when beginning a new project.
Factors to Consider When You're Preparing Your Garage Workshop
You'll need to consider what you plan to do in your garage before you set everything up so that you can make the right decisions about:
- Electrical adapters and outlets: A highly functional garage has to include a sufficient number of electrical adapters
- Cooling and heating options: Building a workshop garage involves consideration of your cooling and heating system, too. Most garages have no insulation, and their doors make it worse, meaning summers will be muggy while winters will feel like you are working out in the snow. To find the best cooling and heating solutions for your area, you can set up fans or floor and window air conditioning units as well as space heaters.
- Ventilation: This should be at the forefront of your prep. Always be aware of the air quality when working with paint, chemicals or other toxic elements and particles. Opening a window is not enough. An exhaust fan in the ceiling is a smart installation for moderate projects. You can even consider a dust collection system, ventilation system or a central vacuum for more extensive jobs. They help eliminate dust, dirt and other harmful particles in the air, keeping everything off your clothes and out of your lungs.
Depending on how you want to use the garage — woodworking, crafts, welding, gardening or mechanics — you may need to make different preparations.
Plan Your Garage Workshop Design
Your garage workshop design is crucial before setting everything up. You should know how you want the space to work before reconstructing it. Are you using the entire area? Are you installing heavy machinery? Do you need to fit a car into the garage? What type of projects will you complete?
It is important to plan before making any significant changes and to know what you will need and where it will go. You will want an open floor plan to operate larger machines like a circular saw or miter saw. You should also store raw materials like lumber, pipe and metal close to the garage entry.
Planning the layout of your garage workshop requires organizing your workflow. You want sufficient space for your projects whether you are fixing up cars and trucks, working on a gardening project, completing something for the house or working with metal. You also need to consider the other uses of your garage. Are you splitting the shop in half for storage? Do you plan on parking a vehicle or lawn mower on one half? Think about designating a zone for storing raw materials, tools, machines, trash and scraps.
Set up Your Workspace
You cannot start on your engine rebuild or your refinishing project until you have the proper workbench set up — unless you want to work on the floor. Garage workshop layout ideas depend on what works for you and your applications. You can either construct or purchase a workbench. Choose one that is designed to withstand hammering, sawing and anything else you throw at it. It must have a sturdy base and legs and be stable.
Being durable means the top surface of the worktable does not dent easily and is made of appropriate material to tolerate your many DIY projects. Cherry-pick between wood, metal or another material. Fold-down benches are another option. Either way, the table should be rock solid and hard with a heavy top.
The average height of a garage workbench is 38 inches with a depth of 24 inches. You can choose higher or lower alternatives depending on your preferences and applications. If you use hand tools more often, consider a bench that is between 32 and 34 inches. For metal and woodworking jobs, a work table that is between 36 and 40 inches is suitable.
The possibilities do not stop there. You can buy a plain workbench with a solid top or one with shelves, vises and drawers. Then decide on positioning:
- For better stability: Mount it to the wall
- For the easiest option: Keep it stationary
- For increased flexibility: Make it mobile with wheels
Make Sure You Have Adequate Lighting
Most garages seem dismal and dark with minimal lighting. That is why adequate lighting is a priority for designing your workspace no matter the size of your space. Proper lighting keeps you productive and safe. For example, track lighting is a simple solution you can install in different directions. However, it may also cast a shadow onto your work, so also invest in adjustable lamps or handheld lights. They are great for when you need extra brightness that is focused in one spot.
Your workspace requires bright lighting as well as task lighting to support your many DIY projects. High-intensity lights such as LEDs and halogens are great options along with fluorescent lights because they are bright and economical. Place any of the lights over your bench for task lighting. In some cases, you may even need a fixture with a gooseneck to maneuver it where you need it.
When looking for garage lighting, think in lumens as opposed to watts since a lumen measures brightness. Aim for 130 to 150 lumens for each square foot of space. Use a branch circuit for your lighting and a separate one for all your power tools. That way, if you trip the circuit, you will not lose power to your lights as well.
Consider Your Garage Flooring
You also have to think about the flooring in your shop. Concrete floors can stain over time and increase the chances of tracking dirt inside. If you want a concrete floor, consider an epoxy floor finish. It makes the surface easier to clean and boosts the grip whether you are moving heavy equipment or need protection from slipping.
You can install rubber floor mats to provide a soft surface that is easy on your feet and joints. After standing in one spot for a while or moving from one side to the next, you can become sore. Slip the mats under your feet for additional grip as well as greater comfort. Rubber mats prevent dents and nicks in your flooring while also protecting your tools when they hit the ground.
Build Storage for Tools and Supplies
Now it comes down to storing some of your biggest assets — tools. Finding a drawer or bin to place your things is easy when you have various options to choose from. You can purchase or design your own storage units to protect your tools from rust, dirt and liquids and keep everything organized. Opt for a durable tool chest with ball-bearing drawers that smoothly pull in and out. Some even come with a lock.
Consider placing drawer mats on the bottom to keep your wrenches, drill bits and other material in place without having them slide around. When you're organizing a small garage workshop, these storage ideas can help you make room for all your tools and supplies:
- Pegboards and movable pegboards: Perfect for your most-accessed tools
- Open-top tool bags: Easy to carry around the shop to different projects or take outside
- Wall magnets: Fast access to what you need
- Tool rolls: Keep things compact and protected
- Wall rail systems: Mount onto different walls and attach shelves, clips and hooks
- Tool boxes: Tote around the house or use in your workspace
- Parts bags: Ideal for bringing your tools to other locations
The organization of your workshop is key. You do not want to make it difficult to find things by dumping nails and washers into old coffee cans or random buckets. You can configure ways to make storage simple and easy with bins and organizers. Also, think about plastic containers and tubs for sandpaper, manuals or larger tools. Old kitchen cabinets can store your tools, too. Job boxes are massive tools boxes that can withstand heftier tools and devices. They offer an extreme level of protection and often lock in several areas.
If you have extra space above the workbench in your garage, you can install a platform storage unit for seasonal tools and machines. It can even be a section where you place non-DIY materials such as storage bins and decorations. Have provisions ready for scraps and trash by using contractor-grade trash bags for sharp items and bulky debris.
Stock Your Workshop With Tools
The best part of having a personalized garage is filling it to the brim with tools, machines, gadgets and other fun toys to complete any job. Rely on Construction Fasteners & Tools for basic workshop tools and materials such as:
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Chisel
- Leveler
- Screwdriver
- Nails
- Squares
- Bolts
- Washers
- Abrasives
- Drill bits
The ultimate workshop demands more specialized power tools as well, such as:
These power tools can advance your projects no matter if you have a woodworking job at hand or you are fixing up the siding of your house. It is best to determine the types of DIY projects you will complete before adding anything to your work area. Think about the essentials, then consider more extensive tools that can propel your jobs. It is all about efficiency and safety, no matter the work.
If you're not quite sure what projects you will need to tackle in your workshop yet, gather basic tools and materials that can support any assignment. Once you have a few tasks in mind, tailor your workshop to accommodate what you need.
Don’t Forget Safety Gear and Cleaning Supplies
An essential part of working in your garage involves taking the right safety measures, which also includes keeping your space clean. Various safety products you can use include:
Before, during and after each venture, safety should be your No. 1 concern. Without the proper gear, you increase the risk of injuring yourself and others who are in the shop. Make sure to be patient and take one step at a time. When it comes to cleaning supplies, you need maintenance materials that offer quick pick-up, such as:
Make Your Garage Workshop Fun
If you are going to transform your garage into the ultimate workshop, complete it with a mini fridge to store your favorite beverages, a radio to blast the best tunes and a few posters of sports teams, cars and anything else you like.
Jobsite radios are your best bet because they are durable and provide enough sound to cover the extent of your garage. Opt for a cordless option that also has Bluetooth features. You can even mount a TV screen on the wall to watch the news, sports or documentaries. Advance your space with a computer screen to watch “how to” videos or to look up info as you work.
Just because you are fixing the carburetor, working on a coffee table, building a deck or creating a new garden nook, it does not mean it is all work and no fun. Find what motivates you and the accessories that boost your energy to stay focused on each job.
Explore Tools and Supplies for Your Garage Workshop at Construction Fasteners & Tools
Construction Fasteners & Tools has all the tools and materials you need to convert your dream garage workshop into a reality. Explore our online inventory and receive free shipping on orders of more than $99. With an inventory of contractor-approved products, we offer everything from hand, power and cutting tools to safety gear, cleaning supplies and many other useful products. If we do not have what you are searching for, we will source the product for your convenience.
Based in Canada, Construction Fasteners & Tools supports any style of garage workshop, whether you are into fixing up cars, working with metal or need a place to chill and relax. We value our relationship with you and dedicate our time to supplying the best solutions for your personalized shop. Reach out to our team for further questions and tips.