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Garden workshops often consist of equipment and storage solutions to meet the demands of various projects, whether it’s DIY, woodworking, repairs, or more. Without these essentials, they wouldn’t really be a ‘workshop’ but more like shed-like structures instead. So, if you’re building one, here’s what you need:
A Workbench
A workbench is a sturdy table with a flat surface, usually made from wood, used for manual tasks. It’s where you can carry out operations like cutting, sanding, or assembling. You’ll often find it with built-in drawers underneath to keep the tools you use most for your craft within easy reach.
You can either build this piece of furniture yourself or purchase one that’s bespoke. The DIY route is often your best bet for practicality and tailoring it to your needs, especially if you have the skills to do so.
Tool Racks and Pegboards
Racks and pegboards are brilliant for keeping your workshop organised. A tool rack can be part of your workbench, perfect for holding things like hammers, screwdrivers, or spanners. Pegboards, in contrast, go up on the wall and let you hang tools using hooks or holders. They’re great for saving space, cutting down on clutter, and making it so much easier to grab what you need when you need it.
When you’re sorting things out, try grouping tools by how often you use them. Adding labels or drawing outlines on the pegboard can also help you keep everything in its place.
Shelves and Cabinets
The more storage, the better! Shelvings and cabinets are always a great addition to workshops, and the best part is how much floor space they free up. No room in your workbench for power tools? That is no problem; a wall cabinet can hold them instead. Running out of room on your pegboards? Shelves are the perfect solution.
Wooden shelves and cabinets work wonderfully in a wooden workshop. If you’ve got a metal garden building, you can still use them—just make sure to secure them with strong anchors.
Tip: If you’re installing them yourself, take the time to measure your workshop first. This will help you figure out how many shelves or cabinets you can add without overcrowding.
Electricity Supply
If you’re using power tools, or even if you’re not, you’ll definitely need lights to see properly, especially if you’re working into the evening. And when the weather turns colder, you might want to add a heater to keep things comfortable while you work. Whatever the case, electricity is essential to power all of these.
Have a look at this guide: Top 5 Questions to Consider Before Installing Garden Building Electricity. It covers everything from planning your electrical setup to understanding local regulations, installation, and more.
Note: If installing it yourself feels a bit out of your depth, it’s best to hire a professional electrician.
Indoor Lights
Speaking of electricity, you can add indoor lights to your workshop, which can make a huge difference, especially if your space lacks windows. LED lights, for instance, offer bright, clear light that closely resembles natural daylight. What’s even better is that they’re known for being energy-efficient and long-lasting.
Install one in the ceiling to light up the whole workshop. You can also add lamps over your workbench to give focused lighting for detailed tasks. Portable lights, like a torch, are handy for specific jobs or those darker corners.
Electric Heater
Some projects take time, and you might find yourself working into the winter. Or maybe the holidays are the only time you can spend in your workshop and get tinkering. In any case, you’ll want the space to be warm enough to keep you going—cue an electric heater.
With an electricity supply in place, adding one is a breeze. Take a look at this Mid Size Electric Stove Heater 1800W Double Door. It’s fitted with an automatic thermal cut-off to prevent overheating, so you don’t need to worry about accidents. Even better, you can enjoy a realistic faux log fireplace experience. Enjoy the warmth of a fire without the flames, making it perfectly safe for a wooden workshop setting.
Floor Mats for Lying-down Work
If you’re doing work on a bike or your car in your wooden garage workshop, sometimes you will need to kneel or lie down on the floor to do work on the wheels or to get underneath the vehicle.
Floor mats are extremely useful to keep you comfortable while laid down doing this work, as well as to help keep your floor clean. It is best to use old towels or blankets that can be allowed to get dirty when working on vehicles, as you will likely have oil and other dirt coming down onto your mat.
Round-up
When setting up your garden workshop, you’ll need a workbench, tool racks and pegboards, shelves and cabinets, an electricity supply, indoor lights, and an electric heater. With these essentials in place, you’ll have a workspace that’s both comfortable and functional. Feel free to add more based on your needs.
Up next on your reading list: What’s the Best Sized Shed for Your Garden Workshop?
