For tradespeople and DIY hobbyists alike, having a dedicated space to work on projects can be a game changer. Whether you’re fixing up furniture, or crafting something from scratch – a well-organised garage workshop offers a dedicated space to practice your passions, bringing new meaning to working from home.
If you’re an avid maker, a garage workshop offers a convenient and secure alternative to storing your tools in house, or in the back of a van. Plus, it allows you create a practical purpose for an otherwise neglected space.
With Rhino’s workshop-grade storage solutions, creating your ideal makerspace is easer (and more affordable) than you might think. We’ve compiled our top tips for getting started.
Creating Your Garage Workshop:
- Assess Your Space
- Define Your Workshop Goals
- Plan Your Layout
- Gather The Essentials
Assess Your Space:
Before you can get to the fun part, it’s essential to understand the space that you’re working with – this avoids costly mistakes and gives you peace of mind that you’ll still have room to move around your garage once your units are installed.
Start by getting accurate measurements of the entire garage, don’t neglect to consider doorways or any built-in features which could become an obstacle in your renovation. As a wise tradesperson one said: measure twice, cut once.
It’s important that during this process you pay particular attention to anything noteworthy that could throw a spanner in the design process. This includes:
- Power outlets or fuse boxes, which can be costly if not impossible to manoeuvre
- Overhead lighting which remains a necessity
- Plumbing appliances like water heaters, boilers or essential valves that cannot be covered
- Garage doors, making sure to factor in their necessary clearance
- Cars or bikes which will still need to be stored within the garage
Define Your Workshop Goals:
We understand that it’s tempting to race straight into your workshop construction process, but it’s vital to consider exactly what you want to get out of the space, and plan accordingly. Ultimately, your goals for the space will have a big impact on the physical requirements for it, so it’s important to consider this before you begin making your expensive purchases.
For example, if you’re looking to create a woodworking studio, you’ll need to prioritise a large worktop surface area, and high-quality dust collection tools. Focussed on electronics? You should prioritise a well-lit workstation and storage for small parts.
At this stage, it’s also a good idea to factor in the specialist equipment you might need, and begin to create a budget for these, alongside the materials, labour and miscellaneous costs associated with creating your ideal workshop space.
Plan Your Layout:
Now that you understand your goals for the workshop, it’s time to design the layout that works best for you. A well-planned layout is crucial to keep your garage safe and fit for purpose.
It’s crucial to zone your space, in order to understand where you’re placing your worktops, storage units, bulk equipment and essential utilities in order to maximise the amount of usable space you have available.
At this point, you can also begin to plan out your vertical space. Using wall-mounted tool racks, shelving units, and pegboards can help you stay organised while still freeing up valuable surface space on top of worktops.
Want to feel like a true professional? Use masking tape to create a mock layout of where your cabinets and bulky pieces of equipment will go, in order to get a better feel for the space – this still gives you a chance to rethink the minor details of your garage workshop, before you install your units.
Planning The Essentials:
While it’s important to stock your garage workshop with industry specific tools and pieces of equipment, there are also some core components that are essential for any functioning workshop:
Solid Workbenches – Your workbench is the heart of your garage workshop – it’s where the magic happens! It’s crucial you choose an option that gives you enough surface area to work comfortably, however, it’s also important to consider other factors such as built in storage space, adjustable height features and the ability to use vices or clamps with it.
Heavy-Duty Storage – Storage is the backbone of an organised workshop, without it, things become lost, important tools get damaged and your productivity suffers. At Rhino, we’re proud to produce a huge range of durable, workshop-appropriate racking systems that can keep your space tidy. Our range of wire racking units are made specifically with garages in mind – handling a robust 1000kg per unit and are constructed with a fully rust-proof design.
Safety Equipment – A home workshop isn’t all fun and games, it’s important to keep cleanliness and safety as a top priority in your operations, especially as dust and debris can build up quickly. Make sure you’ve planned for the presence of dust extractors or workshop vacuums to manage the waste created from your projects. This doesn’t just help your health, it prevents erosion of your tools and keeps them in mint condition, for longer.
The idea of a fully-functioning home workshop doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. Many Rhino customers have already taken the leap from transforming their cluttered garages into purpose-built spaces.
One of our clients was struggling with using their garage as a storage space – with clutter piled on top of clutter, making it impossible to move around or find the tools necessary for the job.
Inconvenient? Yes. Uncommon? Absolutely not. In a US study, 71% of people admitted that they had to rebuy things that they already owned, simply before they can’t find them. When it comes to pricey workshop tools and equipment, this isn’t a sustainable method of working.
But, with the help of some Rhino racking units, they were able to banish the clutter and complete their DIY projects with ease – saving time and stress. How did they do it? See for yourself:
Using Rhino Racking’s black garage shelving, and wire racking units, this client now has a workshop that works for them, not against them. Projects are completed quicker, tools stay organised and protected, and creating new projects no longer feels like a chore.
With a smart layout that’s been planned around your own needs and requirements, it’s possible to take a disused garage and turn it into a hub of activity, right in your very home! By offering you a distinct place to practice your hobbies or work peacefully; your garage can be the key to a more minimalist and stress-free lifestyle.
Feeling inspired to start working smarter? Explore Rhino’s heavy-duty racking solutions to build a space that works as hard as you do.