A home workshop is a great use of your garage, but how can you optimise the room and make sure that your garage workshop conversion is planned out to make the most of the space? If you’re stumped, don’t worry- Lidget is here to give you all the advice you need to create the ultimate garage workshop.
Garage Workshop Layout
When transforming your garage into a workshop, the first thing you’ll need to do is a deep clean. Get rid of all the clutter that isn’t needed for a workshop space, or at least move it to a designated part of the garage separate from your workshop area.
Then, you will need to get hold of the most essential item for your garage workshop, a sturdy workbench with a hard and heavy top. This is where you will be performing most of your DIY activities, so you want it to be durable. You’ll also need to make sure that your workbench top is kept relatively clear so you can work easily and effectively. And for those looking for small garage workshop ideas, foldaway workbenches are ideal for use in limited space.
Once you’ve decided on a position for your workbench, you’ll want to make sure that you have a clear and unobstructed path to your workbench past your tools, with no trip hazards in the way. Then, make sure your tools are laid out around your workspace in a way that helps your workflow, with frequently used tools positioned nearest.
You’ll also want to ensure you have a good ventilation system to deal with any dust and fumes, such as an exhaust fan or dust collection system. This can make sure that you’re breathing easy whilst carrying out your work.
Another good investment for your garage workshop layout is rubber floor mats. These handy mats can help your feet to be more comfortable when standing on your garage floor for an extended period of time. Plus, it protects your garage floor from being dinted by dropped tools.
Speaking of protection, safety products are essential to include in a garage workshop thanks to the heavy tools and machinery you’ll have about. Make sure you have goggles to shield your eyes from dust and sparks, a fire extinguisher and respiratory protection if needed. We also recommend having a stocked first aid kit handy.
Garages can get pretty cold in the winter and stuffy in the summer. We advise investing in a space heater (but ensure there is adequate ventilation in the building to avoid the build of condensation on cold surfaces), and a fan to make your garage workshop a comfortable space to work in year round
Lastly, add a few personal touches. Just because it’s a workspace, that doesn’t mean it has to be dull. Add posters, pictures, paint a wall, or add home comforts like a mini fridge or a kettle to really make your workshop a place you want to spend time in.
Don’t Forget Electrical Power
A lot of people underestimate the importance of electrical power in a garage workshop.
Let’s start with the lighting. In a workshop space, it’s incredibly important to see clearly. This means you’ll need good ambient lighting for the whole garage plus strong task lighting to direct onto specific actions. For your task lighting we recommend a lamp with a moveable neck so you can position it according to your needs, and a high intensity bulb such as Halogen or LED. As for ceiling mounted lighting, we recommend fluorescent.
In a garage workshop, you’re likely to be using a lot of electrical appliances- which is why we recommend a large number of plug sockets and a large supply of power. We also recommend that you are strategic about the placement of your plug sockets, making sure that they are placed close enough to where you might use an appliance so that you won’t have to rely on extension cords, which pose a trip hazard.
Create Smart Storage
One thing that’s incredibly important to consider when carrying out a garage workshop conversion is making the most of your storage space, especially when thinking about smaller garage workshop ideas.
Using shelves to store tools and equipment helps to maintain floor space. Or if room is limited, pegboards or slatwall storage along your walls are great for hanging tools for easy access without need for shelves or drawers bulging out. We can supply lining clips that enable you to fix timber batons to the concrete panels that then enables you to hang items from the walls. And if you have a taller garage like one of our Apex or Highliner garages, why not make the most of that height by using overhead storage such as shelving above the door?
With our guidance, your garage is about to become the ultimate DIY haven. And if you’re looking for the perfect garage to transform into your own private workshop, at Lidget we’ve got a brilliant variety ranging from Pent, Pent Mansard, Apex, Lean To and even Concrete Sheds.