How to Turn Your Garage Into a True DIY Workshop
A garage is a natural place to store tools and equipment, but that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect place to build your next project. Here’s how to turn your garage into a safe and productive DIY workspace that you can be proud of.
First, clean out your garage
First, try to remove any foreign household items that don’t make things easier to make. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to dig past children’s bicycles or empty luggage to get to a supply of paint. However, in the real world, storage is hard to find, so you have to give a little to get a little. Consider a dividing line in your garage to separate the “home” from the “workshop.” If you don’t have enough space, consider a smaller workbench or rent off-site storage. You can even build a canopy for more enclosed storage.
Beyond that, workshop safety is your number one concern. By lifting items off the floor and out of the way, you won’t trip over and make it easier to see and access your tools and equipment.
Keep your desk clean. This gives you more room to work and you won’t lose nuts and bolts under paper or debris. It also gives you the opportunity to start a new project from scratch, instead of cleaning up old and unfinished work before starting a new one.
Build your workbench
Whether you build your workbench or buy one, it must be designed and constructed to withstand the harsh conditions and stresses that you will subject it to. The base and legs must be strong and the table must not be easily tipped over. The top must be strong and free from stains or dents. Make sure your workbench is made from the right material for your projects.
If you’re short on space, you can build a foldable workbench that only drops down when you need it.
Select (or create) a tool repository
The main investment of any garage workshop is tools. Protect your investment with a high quality toolbox that is neatly organized and (if needed) locked. Look for drawers with smooth ball bearings and when buying used, beware of rust and dirt that can corrode your tools. We recommend installing drawer mats to keep your tools from slipping. They also give your instruments a softer resting cushion.
Use a perforated board to organize wall space and store tools that need quick access. If perforated board isn’t right for you, or you can’t hang items on your garage walls, consider these alternative tool storage options that work equally well.
Make sure electrical outlets are within reach
Stop laying extension cords across the garage floor. Make sure your workshop has enough outlets to charge your instrument’s batteries as well as power your mains powered instruments. Your drill or band saw shouldn’t compete for power outlets with a battery to charge your drill, and you shouldn’t risk tripping over a cable that runs through your garage floor.
Outlets are also needed for lights, heaters, AC units, radios, TVs, CNC machines, 3D printers, and computers – all of which you will find in many workshops (although perhaps not all together, and maybe not all in your garage.) You just can’t have too many outlets, and it’s much safer to have too many than not enough. Get an electrician to help you install your outlets and set up 220V power if needed for larger tools in the store.
Make sure you have enough work lighting
Garages are usually dark, so setting up your work lights is a priority for a productive workspace. Track lighting is an easy-to-install option that provides directional overhead lighting, but it can cast shadows (especially if the light source is behind you while you work) and you will need a different light source for tasks and general room lighting. A simple, adjustable work lamp useful for soldering or when you need bright, focused lighting.
When it comes to general room lighting, overhead fluorescent lamps are hard to beat. They are economical and bright.
Don’t forget heating and cooling in your garage
Garage spaces are usually not insulated, and garage doors in most homes are very poorly insulated. This means that in summer it will be very hot and stuffy, and in winter it will be very cold. To feel comfortable in the workshop, you need to take the extra step of insulating the garage and installing heaters, as well as portable AC units for the floor or window. Putting on a thick coat while working will interfere with your housework efforts, and no one likes to work in a sauna.
A natural gas heater (shown above) is a good solution for heating rooms that have no ducts, and propane heaters are a viable option, but be careful when using them in semi-enclosed spaces.
Choose durable, easy-to-clean floors
Concrete garage floors can be used as a surface for workshops, but they get dirty over time and you will eventually find a lot of dust and grime in your home. An epoxy floor is easier to clean and also provides extra grip. For a softer surface that will help your joints when standing for long periods, look for restaurant-grade rubber mats or some durable options, including garage floor tiles .
Don’t forget your tools
Beyond the standard set of hand and power tools, a DIY workshop wouldn’t be “perfect” without the right tools. Start building your DIY store tool collection by starting with these:
- Drilling machine
- Table saw
- Band-saw
- Compound miter saw
- Grinding machine
- Vise / Anvil
- Grinding machine
Opinions and needs vary, but these tools will help you with almost every project. Remember, if you come across a need that you can’t meet, you can also rent tools from your local hardware store, or find a local hacking space or developer community who have tools on hand that you can use for your project.
Entertainment is important too
Portable Bluetooth speakers will provide ample sound in your garage, but they can be fragile and sensitive to dust. Workstation radios from Milwaukee and DeWALT provide great sound, are durable and can even recharge your batteries. In addition, they are also Bluetooth compatible so you can connect them to your phone for streaming music.
Mount your flat screen TV or computer monitor to any wall to watch sports or stream movies and music through a digital device like Apple TV or Roku.
Pay particular attention to ventilation and monitor air quality
Most work in the workshop requires good ventilation, and in garages this is usually bad. In addition, passive ventilation (eg opening a window) is usually insufficient. A ceiling extractor fan is a good start, but if you’re serious about keeping things clean, your workshop should also include a dust collection system , a central vacuum cleaner, and an air ventilation system. All three of these systems will keep dust, dirt, and other heavy particles from your clothes and from your lungs, creating a safer work environment.
Have we left out everything you need for your garage workshop?