I was recently asked for advice about how to best turn a small bedroom into a workshop, and I drew a blank. I had worked out of small workspaces for years, but I had never started off with a clean slate before.
Their space is a spare bedroom and will be used for light DIY projects. Heavy dust-creating stuff would be done outdoors somewhere. They didn’t mention many requirements, aside from needing space for a computer desk. Dimensions are said to be around 11′ x 11′.
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Visualize a square room with 4 walls, which we’ll describe as North, South, East, and West. There’s a closet at the East wall, near the NE corner, and an entry door at the South wall, near the SE corner.
The main request was to maximize workbench and storage space for tools and small parts.
Here were my brainstorming suggestions:
- 2 x 6-foot workbenches along North and West walls, meeting at the NW corner
- Computer desk along South wall, with storage cabinet to one or both sides
- Mobile workbench or stand in the center of the room
- A storage cabinet along East wall
- Storage beneath and above workbenches
Part of me wants to recommend 2 workbenches, part of me wants to recommend against it, in favor of more storage cabinets or a large shelving unit. When I had multiple workbenches in a room before, they always became overrun with clutter.
There are benefits to having more than one workbench, especially if there are vastly different projects or activities that you want to pause and pick up later.
It seems that a mobile workbench, workstand, or tool cart might work well in the center of the room. Or it could be left open for a portable workstand if/when needed. If a mobile unit, maybe it can be docked at the East wall until/unless needed near another workbench for whatever reason.
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Corners are always problematic. In this case, there’s a closet at one, a door at another, and I haven’t a clue as to what to suggest about the other two. Maybe the 1 of the workbenches can be moved over or extended, although that usually means a loss of under-bench space unless one designs and builds a single L-shaped bench.
In terms of storage, I would recommend a tool storage combo, or at least a bottom unit or two that can fit under a workbench.
If going DIY or store-bought routes, I would suggest a modular setup. It’s easier to rearrange a room if workbenches and storage units are modular and movable. While a U-shaped workbench or complete built-in setup might look great, they’re not very flexible. Let’s say you want a standing-height desk, or a single deeper workbench. It’s hard to make these changes if you don’t have a modular arrangement.
The above-bench spaces can be covered with shelving or wall cabinets.
How would you design this space for maximum work surfaces and storage?
David
Workflow and storage are really important. Multitasking tools and make do with small space friendly compromises are important – flip too tool tables, hand tools, and really good dust collection all come to mind.
I thought that Toolify’s recent shop tour showed a well organized small shop – https://youtu.be/T-aWjaBBZJc
Wood Magazine has tackled to small shop question a number of times over the years too, and their coverage is worth a look. Here’s one of the links: http://my.woodmagazine.com/ideas/wood-shop-showcase/americas-best-home-workshops/ I keep referencing their shop guides as I build out my own,
BigDan
I’d consider if he’s got another level underneath his (for weight and noise concerns) and whether or not there’s an air return in that room or not.
I’d stock it with a nice looking set of gladiator gear if it’s not cost prohibitive. Gladiator has a cool standing fold out shelf that I use a lot for my design and laptop work while standing, with a workbench underneath it containing a project of some sort.
Wheeled benches and storage would be ideal inside the house as you never know when you might need to rearrange that room, move stuff around, and make space for an airbed for when family visits.
Gladiator modular wall shelving (geartrack? i think, there’s a version for whole wall vs. single tracks) well the whole wall version would give a lot of flexibility and lets you re design the room whenever you want, with the fold out shelf, the smaller and large cabinets, tool storage, etc. Mount it to the studs and save the wall, once you remove would just need to spackle the screw holes and repaint? Would also take weight off of the floor and put it on the wall if you have a multi level setup.
Would also take the opportunity to do a little soundproofing and or put garage tiles on the floor to protect the subfloor.
Cheers
Tom
I’d think about noise remediation for something like this. Is it in a house or an apartment? What time of the day will you be using this space?
Allen
One person, one work bench. Any more just becomes inefficient storage.
Keep one clear and organized and you are good to go.
Hang Fire
I go by one workbench per hobby. But, I have space now.
Steve
He must not be married!
Hang Fire
If you don’t want to pay for a wall slat system, and want to get organized right away, don’t be afraid to put up pegboard behind your backless benches (or anywhere you don’t have shelves). You’ll need spacers, and run a wood screw through pegboard+spacer up and down along the length of each stud.
As a former apartment dweller, when I moved out of each apartment, I just spackled the holes and bought a quart of touch-up paint, never got charged for damages, my repairs were generally better than those of Maintenance. So it’s not really the commitment it seems to be.
Farid
11’x11′ room is workable but without details of what activities and how many people to accommodate, it gets tough. I won’t be much help with the layout without really siting down and designing it, but I believe I’ve seen several similar projects in older issues of the Family Handyman magazine. Books stores and libraries have books tackling this very issue as well.
My strategy would be to use benches (perhaps one desk) and shelve storage (see below). Avoid cabinets in such small space, unless the room has no closet. It would be too tight to maneuver around with several cabinets around. And, keep in mind cabinets need room to swing doors open.
If I may suggest a couple of helpful hints and products:
I like bigDans’s idea on some of the Gladiator stuff. The adjustable height gladiator bench can double up as desk, and if you want to splurge for the bamboo top, it looks really sharp – sort of modern furniture look. As alternate to Gladiator, Seville Classics makes several nice benches. One is small and mobile with hard top and would be ideal for a central location in a small room. It also available with pegboard and work light:
https://www.sevilleclassics.com/commercial-woodtop-workbench-drawers-wheels-UHD20271b (also available through HD)
There is also this:
https://www.sevilleclassics.com/stainless-steel-kitchen-work-table-WEB292
Something a lot heavier duty (Gladiator style -sort off)
https://www.sevilleclassics.com/commercial_workbench_ultra_hd
I got this one from a warehouse club and use it for projects with kids. Great for light assembly and chemistry experiments!
https://www.sevilleclassics.com/steel_top_work_table_stainless_steel
Actually, while getting the links, I discovered a lot more stuff on Seville website that I’ll be checking out.
There is also Elfa (or Rubber Maid) shelves with many options for storage and are a easy to put up and take down. You’ll have to rely mostly on bin storage. So, if you don’t mind having things visible, there is an advantage to shelves over cabinets. You can put shelves above workbenches and desks and keep stuff off the floor, which which can make maneuvering around the room, easier, or have a place to put down an item your working on or bring in supplies. It is cheaper to customize the storage with shelves. And cabinets, once assembled, can be difficult to move.
I assume the bedroom would have a closet? That can be retrofitted with shelves and make for nice closed storage. Don’t forget behind the closet door hanging-space as well.
BonPacific
It’s hard to know without a specific idea of what projects are being done. I’d consider making the main two benches fairly shallow, 24″ or so, and making a mobile cart with a 3’x4′ top. I have an assembly table this size in my woodshop (9′ x 20′) and it’s just the right size for anything short of a dining table, while allowing me to clear the floor for bigger work.
I would try and get a lot of open-fronted cabinets, 12″ or so of depth. Anything deeper and you lose stuff. Small shelves are easier to organize than large ones. You can keep bigger items under the workbenches. Don’t forget the space behind the door either. a 3″ deep set of shelves can be very efficient for storing fasteners or spray paint. Depending on where the windows are, a full set of upper cabinets along the workbench offers a lot of storage.
In my shop I ran a 18″ deep shelf around the perimeter right up at the ceiling, which is perfect for using banker boxes for storage.
For the computer station, if it’s based around a laptop, consider making the table fold down from the wall instead of being permanent, and make it shallow. Even with a desktop, you shouldn’t need anything deeper than 24″. You could also do a rolling computer cart, like this one: http://jayscustomcreations.com/2015/01/diy-mobile-stand-up-computer-desk/
If the dust-making tools are kept outside, flip-top tables are probably unnecessary. Though I really love these.
I would check out Linn’s shop from from Darbin Orvar. She has a similar set up to this, and makes excellent use of the space. She doesn’t have a recent shop tour, but she’s got a new DIY/LED corner which seems very efficient.
One of the most surprisingly useful things I have in my small shop is a set of adjustable folding sawhorses. They fold down flat for storage, but let you support just about any size of work piece, or throw down a temporary work surface.
BonPacific
Forgot to mention, rather than investing is a wall-track system, think about a French Cleat system. If you have a table saw it’s trivial to set up, and a circular saw can work as well if you’re careful with your set up.
Stuart
I’ve seen other shop setups like hers, and am thinking of a similar arrangement for myself. An L-shaped wall-hugging 15″ counter and underneath cabinets, with a deeper workbench in the center of a room. But that’s because I need a LOT of storage space.
I’m thinking of going with 80/20, with IKEA or homemade drawers.
Workbenches against the wall, like I sketched above, are great for lots of work surface, but not so great for storage. Even a tool cabinet with 18″ depth can get lost underneath a workbench, and some are shallower.
Then again, I could always build an 80/20 cabinet beneath a workbench to get the best of both worlds.
Tyler
I’m actually working on a similar setup, almost identical in size. The only thing I don’t have is a finished closet. On the full width of the wall opposite the door, I am going to put butcherblock countertops on FastCap SpeedBraces. I’ll then use rolling cabinets (maybe the gladiator brand type) to roll underneath the counter. That will give me a large workbench for electronics, light duty woodworking and 3D print cleaning and assembly. One corner of the counter will be used for a 3D Printer and supplies. Right next to it I will keep the monitor and keyboard for the computer. The computer case will be fastened on a bracket underneath the counter up against the wall.
I plan to use Slatwall on all of the walls including above the counter. It will allow me flexibility for shelving and hanging tool storage. In his case, I would then outfit the closet with shelving.
A rolling mechanic-style tool cart is also a good idea for tool storage and holding small projects.
Tom B
Need to consider window location and size…
Dylan
I’d put a big L shape workbench in a corner, with tool storage underneath, and build shelves on the wall/cabinets for tool storage, so they’re not taking space up on the floor. Could also store the majority of tools in the closet and just take them out when you need them
Jay
No way. Use spare br as a guest room or storage. Erect an overhead on a ground level deck for a starter work space. You could always wall it up against the prevailing wind/rain later. I don’t see how a little old room like that could really be useful as a workshop anyway. The bedroom entry door is probably what, 30×80? Is the room off of a 36″ hallway? Upstairs, downstairs? Not a lot of wiggle room here guys. Guess if you were into building bird houses or similar it might work.
Chris Ellerby
My home workshop is roughly the same size, and I keep a somewhat accurate Sketchup model of my shop to help me optimize the layout.
Below is the shop layout model, and an actual image of my main work area.
http://www.vexfx.com/share/images/shop.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDH-hG9KbAn/
/Chris