A garage is a perfect place for a man’s workshop. This is where most home improvement, repair, and DIY projects take place. If you don’t have a garage workshop yet, we have listed several essential things to consider to get you started.
Build Your Dream Garage Workshop
Start taking those small steps to make your dream a reality. Consider the following when you come up with your garage’s design.
Layout and Safety
The layout is important in planning a garage workshop. You don’t want to waste time looking for tools because of poor organizing. Tools and equipment must be easily accessible and not scattered all over the place. A well-organized workshop is a safe workshop. You avoid risks of injury if tools and machinery are stored properly. The designated work area should also be slip-resistant.
Tools and Storage
Knowing what your workshop is for will determine the tools and equipment you need. Whether you’re a DIY-er, a mechanic, or a toy customizer, you will need the right tools for the tasks you will be performing in your workshop. Tools and equipment must be stored properly. Have an ample supply of shelves and small parts storage drawers in your garage. These help keep your workplace organized and accident-free. Whether you build or buy it, a proper storage system is a necessity in any workshop.
Workbench
The main attraction of your workshop is the workbench. This is where you will spend most of your time. It has to be sturdy enough for your big and ambitious projects. You can either build one or buy one. They come in different lengths and styles, but most workbenches at retail are 24-inches deep and 38-inches high. If the handyman in you decides to build one instead, it will only cost you a fraction of the price of a retail workbench and should take only a day to build.
Lighting
For better productivity and overall safety, your workshop should have a strong lighting system. It does not need to be expensive, just well planned. Having adequate lighting in your garage is good, but you also need to amp up the lighting in your work area. It is going to be difficult to make precision cuts and measurements on a workbench with only the overhead houselight as your source. It is important to note that when buying lights for your workshop, think lumens and not watts as lumens is the measure of a bulb’s brightness.
Power
Whether you’re working mostly with electric power tools or pneumatic, you must make sure your workshop has adequate electrical sources that are easily accessible. This will allow you to minimize the use of extension cords as they can be tripping hazards. If your knowledge about electrical work is not sufficient for the task, hire a professional to work on your garage’s electrical system upgrade. Better safe than sorry.
HVAC
As you will be spending a lot of time dreaming up and working on DIY projects in your workshop, it should have a proper HVAC system to keep you cool during the summer and warm in the winter. If you are using a heater during winter, be sure to turn it off when you leave the workshop. Keeping it running unnecessarily can be a wallet-buster and a potential fire hazard.
Entertainment
A little entertainment helps lighten and brighten the mood. Go for an all-out audio-video set-up with surround sound or a simple speaker to connect your phone to, whichever works for you.
Your garage now doesn’t immediately have to be the way you want it to be. Start small and build gradually toward your ideal workshop space. There are a lot of other great ideas you can still pick up along the way. What’s important is, you enjoy the process.
