DIY enthusiasts often dream of a bespoke workshop kitted out with the latest power tools and materials. Unfortunately, they are usually left with a corner of the garage and a rusty toolbox. You need to think about layout, storage, light, insulation and ventilation. It’s time to take your passion for DIY to the next level and upgrade your workshop.
Here are a few things to consider before setting up your workshop.
Make a plan
Before you start renovating your workshop, you need to make a strategy. You need to decide what products, tools and hardware you are going to store in the room. You might need a place for bigger power tools and an organisation system for small things, like nails and handheld tools.
Look at the size of your workshop and outline a realistic use of the space. Remember, you need ample space for a workbench so you can work properly in the shop. You also need to think about what you will do in the space, like reparation, creation etc.
You might need to think about security and how to store your tools away from children and pets. In this case, vertical storage might be more appropriate so you can store items up high and away from curious hands.
Declutter your tools
Once you have a plan in place, it’s time to declutter your tools and start organising. Try to target the boxes of tools that you rarely touch and go through every item. Avoid keeping things just in case you might need them, and streamline your collection to the essential tools. You probably don’t have a lot of storage space in your DIY workshop. You need to keep things minimal.
Safety first
DIY can be a dangerous hobby, and you need to take proper precautions in your workshop.
Think about how you will clean the space after you have done some DIY work. Power tools tend to create a large amount of dust, wood chips and debris. Small gaps between shelves and uneven workspaces can be challenging to clean. Apply floor paint on the concrete surfaces of your workshop to make them easier to clean. The paint will event out the floor and protect it from all the debris of the shop.
You should store toxic products, like cleaning solutions and DIY substances, on high shelving. You could use locked cupboards if the room doesn’t have enough height. Make sure the windows and doors have good locks on them too. DIY materials and tools can be expensive – and people might try to steal them.
Do not store anything on the floor where you might trip over it and injure yourself. You could always upgrade the lighting in the room to avoid any incidents.
Your workshop should be a safe and organised place for you to have fun with DIY.
