You need a workshop if you’re a DIY enthusiast, woodworking hobbyist, or professional craftsperson. Different workshops are better for different tasks and workflows. In this guide, we’ll help you figure out what the shop of your dreams looks like and start making it a reality.
Choosing a Workshop Size
Think carefully about the kind of work you’ll do in your shop and how much space you’ll need. No one ever complains that their shop is too big, so stake out as much space as you can. If you work with wood or metal, consider where to put large machinery like table saws, dust collectors, and welders.
Possible Workshop Locations
To figure out where to put your workshop, consider the climate where you live and why you’re building it. Here are a few possibilities for your workshop’s location:
- Basements: Basement shops are easily accessible and rarely need heating or cooling. However, you’ll likely need a dehumidifier to prevent tools from rusting and wood from warping. Further, if you do potentially hazardous work like welding or using flammable solvents, it’s more risky to have a basement shop.
- Garages: If you work with large materials and equipment, it’s easier to get them through a garage door than a basement door. Garage shops are easy to keep comfortable in mild climates, but you may need heating or air conditioning in particularly hot and cool places.
- Standalone structures: If you have the time and money, you can design a standalone workshop building from the ground up to meet your specific needs. Since standalone shops aren’t part of your home or garage, they’re better places for messier and more hazardous work.
How Do You Efficiently Layout Your Workshop?
An efficient shop layout can make all the difference for your workflow.
Workbenches and Work Surfaces
Put your main workbench in a well-lit environment that allows easy access to frequently used tools. For versatility, consider a mobile workbench or one with built-in storage. If space allows, include secondary work surfaces for tasks like assembly or finishing.
Tool and Material Storage
Many workshops use a combination of open shelving, cabinets, and pegboard to store tools and building materials. Wall-mounted storage can keep your floor space clear, and drawers and parts bins can hold smaller items like screws and nails. Save more space by storing lumber and piping vertically.
Lighting and Power
Well-designed workshops have plenty of power outlets for tools and plenty of light to make jobs easier. For an inexpensive lighting solution, wire keyless lampholders on the ceiling and screw in 50-watt bulbs. You may also want a few reflector lamps for specialized task lighting.
Install outlets near your workbench to charge handheld power tools. It’s preferable to use a 20-amp circuit instead of a 15-amp one. Tools use a lot of power, and heavier-duty wire will reduce the chance of blown circuit breakers ruining your focus. You should also add a 240-volt circuit if you use a welder or heavy-duty air compressor.
Codes often require workshop outlets to be GFCI-protected for safety, especially in areas prone to moisture.
Ventilation and Safety Equipment
Good ventilation is essential to protect your workshop’s air quality, especially if you work with paint, solvents, and sawdust. Woodworkers and metalworkers should make room for good-quality dust collection or ventilation systems. You should also make a dedicated spot for first aid kits and fire extinguishers and add smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors as required by local building codes.
Work Zones
Divide your shop into zones based on the tasks you perform most often. If you build furniture, for example, you might have separate areas to cut wood, assemble pieces, and do clean finishing work. Arrange the zones to move logically from one task to the next.