If you love nothing more than cutting wood panelling, fixing broken items, or upcycling unloved objects, you might dream of having your own fully equipped home workshop. If you’ve got a garage that’s sitting empty or you’re happy to store your vehicle outside, it could serve as a handy place to work on countless DIY projects.
However, there are some steps you must take to transform the space before you can embark on successful or creative projects that will make you beam with pride. Here are five must-read tips before turning a garage into a workshop.
- Draft an Efficient Workshop Layout
If you feel ready to transform your garage into a workshop, it’s smart to draft an efficient layout. Identify the essential storage solutions you’ll need to house your tools and projects. However, you must avoid adding too much storage in your workshop to ensure you have plenty of room to move around. Try to utilize a garage’s vertical space as much as possible, by hanging wall shelves and pinboards, for example.
Also, consider the tools you’ll need to access regularly, which you might want to have on display so you can grab them with ease. Plus, you must have plenty of space to cut wood and metal or work on a large project.
- Install High-Quality Garage Workshop Flooring
Before you add various storage solutions, you should install high-quality garage workshop flooring to create a safe and durable space. Install permanent or temporary garage flooring tiles to create a more hard-wearing space. For instance, you can add 100% PVC tiles that are easy to lay, have water-tight seams, and exceptional rolling weight support.
- Add Extra Plug Sockets
You’ll likely need multiple plug sockets when using a garage as a workshop. After all, you might need to charge power tools, power a radio, or boil a kettle, to name just a few uses. Also, the last thing you’ll want is to restrict an electrical tool’s wire when working on a project. Create a more efficient environment by adding extra plug sockets, if needed. This will ensure you have plenty of options when plugging in multiple items and that you’re not restricted when using various tools.
- Pick a High-Quality Workbench
Choose wisely when researching workbenches, as the design will determine durability and longevity, as well as your safety. The workbench you pick or build must be able to withstand your projects’ various weights, allowing you to work with confidence. Also, you must add a workbench design that’s resistant to warping or shocks to help it stand the test of time. Also, think carefully about its size to ensure it’s big enough for your DIY or creative projects.
- Improve the Lighting in Your Workshop
Garages are naturally dark environments due to a lack of natural light. Unless you put in a window or open the garage door, you might struggle with poor lighting when working on your projects. For this reason, you might need to adjust the lighting to create a more efficient workshop.
For example, you might need to install lighting directly over a workbench to focus on the smallest details. Also, it might help to use portable lighting that can move around the room to look at materials, projects, or tools in closer detail.
