8 Steps for Organising your Workspace

Whether you are just starting out in a new workshop or you are organising an existing workshop, follow these steps for a clean, organised workspace. You will be able to find things quicker and get the job done with less frustration. If you do the job properly you will be thanking yourself for years to come.

Step 1 Clean Out

Pull everything out. It’s a big job but if you want to give your workshop a thorough revamp, you need to start with a clean slate. Sort through all of your gear and decide what you are going to keep, donate and throw out. Only keep what you think you will use so you can maximise the space available. Order a skip bin if you have a lot of junk to get rid of so you aren’t storing anything while you wait for your wheelie bin to be emptied.

Step 2 Spruce Up

If the walls and ceiling are metal, wash them down. If you have plaster walls and ceiling, fill any cracks and holes and give it a fresh coat of paint. Either use a roller if it’s a small area or for a quicker job on larger workshops, use an air powered sprayer.

Step 3 Flooring

If your floors are rough and a trip hazard, think about replacing them now. Remember you may not do another big clean out of your workshop for ten years (or ever) so think about your much older self. You don’t want to stop using your workshop when you are in your 70’s or 80’s because it is too hazardous. If your flooring is in good condition, look at getting a rubber mat or old carpet if you need some cushioning for long days in the workshop.

Step 4 Lighting

Decide if you have adequate lighting in the workshop. If not organise for an electrician to install a new light fitting otherwise replace the globe in your current fitting to see if that makes a difference. For safety and ease of working particularly when it’s fine close-up work, you need good lighting in your work area. Use task lighting if natural and overhead lights aren’t adequate.

Step 5 Workbench

Have a look at your workbench and decide if you need to modify your existing one by changing the height or adding a shelf underneath for storage. If you are buying a new workbench, look at the type of projects you will be working on and find one that best matches the tools you will be using most.

Non slip mats are available to keep your project in place while you are working on it.

Step 6 Storage

To maximise your available space and to make it easy to find things when you need them, sort out your storage. Decide what you need easy, regular access to and what you don’t so those items can go at the back or up high.

Get your stock up off the floor with a woodrack storage system. Store tools neatly under the bench or on the wall so they aren’t damaged and can be found easily.

Step 7 Safety First

If you are storing chemicals in your workshop, make sure they are kept away from any heat sources. If you don’t already have one or it’s out of date, buy a new fire extinguisher to keep in case of an emergency.

Step 8 Keep it Clean

After all your hard work getting your workshop to where it is, you want to be able to keep it clean easily. If you are working with wood, chances are your workshop is regularly filled with dust and shavings. If you have had enough of the dust and you want to work in a healthier environment, invest in a dust extractor or air filter.