19 Tips for Setting Up Your Workshop
Just Some Things I Learned Along The Way
Make it Yours: Build a workshop that feels like home. It should inspire you, motivate you, and make you want to get to work. Forget about trying to turn it into some pristine YouTube set—nobody cares about fake. Be real. A little mess is fine, but don’t let it slow you down. Clean up when it makes sense, but don’t obsess over it. Your shop should work for you, not the other way around. Surround yourself with things that inspire you. Hang up your favorite projects, sketches, or posters. Keep a whiteboard or corkboard for jotting down ideas, to-do lists, or rough sketches of your next project.
Storage Debate
For Generalist Makers: Keep it simple. Group tools by type—all your hammers in one spot, screwdrivers together, and so on. Keep the tools you need to run a machine close by, and organize materials by type (wood, metal, electronics, etc.).
For Repeat Makers: If you’re cranking out the same kinds of projects over and over, organize by the steps in your process. Keep everything you need for each step together so you can roll from raw materials to finished product without wasting time hunting for stuff.
Efficient Workflow: Set up your tools and materials so they make sense for how you work. Think about your process. Place things so you can move easily from step A to step B without wasting time or tripping over stuff.
Documenting and Sharing: If you’re into documenting and sharing your work, don’t go overboard trying to make your shop a film set. But do take the time to set up good lighting and get a solid, adjustable camera mount. Make sure it’s easy to move the setup around so you’re not stuck filming in just one spot.
Windows and Natural Light: If you can, get some windows in there. Natural light makes a huge difference, and ventilation is always a plus. Plus, a nice view can keep you grounded and help you keep track of time.
Segment Dirty and Clean Work: Keep the messy stuff (like sawing and sanding) separate from the clean stuff (like 3D printing or electronics). It’ll save you a ton of headaches and keep your projects looking their best and tools working optimally.
Dedicated Finishing Area: Create a separate space for painting, staining, or varnishing. Keep this area free of dust and debris to ensure a clean finish. Use drop cloths or tarps to protect floors and other surfaces.
Tiered Storage: Think about how often you use your tools and materials:
Daily Use: Keep these within arm’s reach. You don’t want to waste time looking for them.
Monthly Use: Put these in easy-to-reach cabinets or shelves
Rarely Used (Yearly): Deep storage. If you barely use something, consider borrowing or renting it instead of letting it take up valuable space.
Avoid stuffing everything into drawers or cabinets unless it’s something you don’t use often. Clutter kills efficiency. Check out Adam Savage’s thoughts on First Order Retrievability.
Power and Ventilation: You can never have too many outlets. Make sure you’ve got enough for both your stationary tools and anything mobile. Ventilation is just as important. Whether it’s dust, fumes, or heat, you need a way to deal with it. Get an exhaust fan or a good air filter—your lungs will thank you.
Maximize Horizontal Surfaces: Keep your workbench clear. A cluttered bench isn’t a workbench; it’s storage, and storage belongs somewhere else. Your horizontal surfaces should be for working, not for stacking junk.
Modular and Mobile: Stay flexible. Use mobile workbenches, rolling tool carts, and modular setups so you can adapt as your needs change. Design your shop to grow with you.
Tool Maintenance: Take care of your tools, and they’ll take care of you. Set up a station for maintenance supplies like oils, sharpening tools, and spare parts. Schedule regular maintenance for power tools and larger machines, and keep a log of when each tool was last serviced.
Material Management: Label and sort materials by type and size (e.g., plywood sheets, metal rods, electronics components). Use vertical racks for storing longer materials like wood planks or metal pipes. Keep scrap materials organized and accessible for smaller projects or prototypes. Keep a bucket of “greeblies”, stuff you find or extra parts, that can be used in a future project, typically for aesthetic but sometimes functional purposes. Don’t go crazy though!
Safety First: Safety isn’t optional. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in a visible, accessible location. Install a fire extinguisher suitable for electrical and flammable material fires. Use proper safety gear—goggles, gloves, ear protection, and dust masks—and make them easy to grab when needed. Keep clear pathways to avoid trip hazards.
Lighting Options: Good lighting is critical. Add task lighting over workbenches and tool stations for detailed work. Use adjustable or directional lights to focus on specific areas. Combine overhead lighting with portable lights to ensure full coverage.
Noise Control: If your shop is in a shared or residential space, think about soundproofing. Acoustic panels or heavy rugs can help dampen noise. For noisy tools like compressors, consider placing them in an isolated area or sound-dampened enclosure.
Climate Control: A comfortable shop is a productive shop. If you deal with extreme temperatures, invest in heating or cooling solutions. Insulate the space to maintain a stable working environment and reduce energy costs.
Internet Connectivity: Get your shop connected. Wi-Fi and Ethernet are great for running CNC machines, laser cutters, or even just watching tutorials. My laser cutter works so much better with a hardwired Ethernet connection. So having both wired and wireless connectivity is important. Have a laptop handy for design work and videos. And if you’re into it, set up a smart assistant like Alexa for quick calculations or shopping list additions.
Add Music: A little music goes a long way. It sets the mood and keeps you going on those long projects. Get a decent sound system—you deserve it.
BONUS TIP:
Workshop Uniform: Whether it’s a pair of overalls or an old chore coat, having something to wear in the workshop is helpful for various reasons. Most obviously, it keeps our good clothes clean. Workshop uniforms are meant to get dirty. Second, it lets us have things like a tape measure or utility knife always at the ready. Workshop uniforms should have plenty of pockets. The workshop uniform is only for the workshop, so at the end of the day, you keep all your stuff together so you don’t have to fish everything out of your pockets when you cuddle up with your significant other later. Lastly, it helps to get you get into a mindset. Sometimes, we aren’t in the mood to work, but having a ritual like putting on the workshop uniform can help our mind get in the zone when it’s time to crank out some work. And when we leave the workshop, the lack of uniform reminds us to enjoy quality time with family and friends cause life is more than just work.