You’re not alone if you choose to park your car on the driveway rather than in your garage.
After all, a driveway can offer a quick and easy parking space. But, as a result, many garages sit there unused, collecting dust.
If you feel yours could serve a purpose beyond storing old gardening equipment, continue reading to find out how to transform your garage into a thriving workshop.
De-Clutter the Space
The idea of de-cluttering may have stopped you creating your workshop sooner.
It can be a tedious task, but once it’s out the way, you can get on with the fun part.
If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some tips for decluttering a garage:
- Set aside a period of six hours to get the clearing done.
- Take everything out of the garage to give yourself a better idea of what a potential workshop area would look like, size-wise.
- Split items into keep/get rid piles. Move anything you want to keep into a different storage area of the house (or the shed) and sell, donate, or responsibly dispose of anything you don’t need anymore.
- Sweep, dust, and wash the floor and walls to give yourself a clean base, while checking if there are any cracks that need to be repaired.
Make Yourself a Workbench
Now we can get onto what you need to introduce to your garage to create a functioning workshop.
A good workbench is essential. While you can buy one, we would recommend making your own so that you can control the size of it.
Use high-quality plywood to build a strong bench that is smooth and resistant to warping. Easy to handle, it is a good choice for a DIY project.
Things to do:
- Cut the plywood sheet to the desired size for the workbench top. The sheet should be around ¾ of an inch thick.
- Cut four sturdy legs using 2×4 lumber, aiming for a height of approximately 30-36 inches.
- Using the 2x4s, make a rectangular frame that matches the size of the plywood top. Securely screw the legs to the corners of the frame.
- Screw the plywood top onto your frame.
- Sand the bench to make it smooth and give it a nice finish.
Lighten Things Up
If your garage is dingy, it’s worth brightening things up. After all, you need to be able to see what you’re doing, whether that’s woodwork or the completion of other general DIY tasks.
For bright, sustainable, and cost-effective lighting, your best bet is to use LEDs. While LED light bulbs are more expensive than incandescent ones up front, they are a stronger long-term option.
Let’s compare:
Price:
- LED bulb: £2-£5
- Incandescent bulb: £1-£2
Lifespan:
- LED bulb: 25,000-50,000 hours
- Incandescent: 1,000-2,000 hours
In summary, the lifespan of the LED bulb alone makes it a better option, not to mention that it uses around 85% less electricity than an incandescent one, saving money on bills.
LED lighting typically looks more aesthetically pleasing than traditional options because it emits a crisp and even light. This makes a room appear cleaner and sleeker and will help make your time in your new workshop more enjoyable!
Install Stylish Storage
Using a garage as a workshop may leave you with a small amount of space. Efficient storage solutions will help you maximise the room you have.
Storage helps keep everything organised and neat, which allows you to work quickly without having to rummage around for equipment.
It also protects tools from moisture and damage, which is important because tools can be expensive.
When it comes to style, the choice is yours. Here are some suggestions:
- Industrial – For this look, use black metal shelves, wood surfaces, and exposed bolts.
- Modern – Use sleek cabinets, hidden storage, and use neutral colours to create a clean, crisp appearance.
- Rustic – Use natural wood, vintage-style hooks, and galvanized steel for a more DIY-style look.
What to remember when installing storage shelves:
- Attach the shelves to studs to ensure maximum strength. Screw shelves and brackets directly into the wall studs.
- Put your heavier tools and equipment on the lower shelves and close to the wall for stability and to prevent tipping.
- Don’t make shelves too deep. Aim for about 12-18 inches of depth so it’s easier to reach your equipment without having to dig around and potentially cause items to fall.
Clear the Air
Installing proper ventilation not only improves the smell of a workshop, but also removes harmful airborne particles, helps disperse flammable vapors, and prevents equipment damage.
Ventilation tips:
- Install your exhaust fan high on either a wall or window to effectively pull out dust, warm air, and fumes.
- Ensure you have a vent, window, or door slightly ajar on the opposite side so that fresh air can flow in and provide cross ventilation.
- Keep an air scrubber or purifier close to the workbench in order to capture dust and fumes in the space that you’re working in.
Final Thoughts
If your garage has been left dormant and you have an interest in carpentry or general DIY, transforming it into a workshop is a practical and useful way of making the most out of it.
Once you get over the initial hurdle of clearing, assembling your workshop space can be a satisfying process. Once complete, you can start putting your rejuvenated garage space to good use.