Our Guide to Designing a Workshop That Lasts

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Are you looking for workshop ideas to transform your empty garage or shed? Keep reading to learn how you can turn your unused space into a fully functional workshop.

Our garage and shed workshop ideas will help you optimise any area into the room you need. Whether you're into metalwork or woodwork, or you want a place to work on your bike, with BiGDUG’s product offers you can find a bespoke solution for your requirements. Even car repairs and augmentations will be made easier if you work in a space that is carefully designed to improve workflow and organisation.

On top of that, you can prevent injuries and safety risks by avoiding working in a cluttered space – as we all know, most accidents happen in the home.

Designing a floor plan is the most important part of the process and it's not as simple as you might think – poor planning can turn the most brilliant workshop or garden workshop idea into a nightmare.

You might already have a list of tools from the first step. Make sure that it's complete and that all of the inventory is accounted for. This is especially important if you're working with limited space as you don’t want to end up realising that you can’t fit all the items into your workshop.

Formulate a layout of where everything will go. Keep in mind how often you'll need specific tools, and make sure that frequently used items are easy to access. On the other hand, anything that won’t see the light of day more than a few times a year can be stored in a less convenient spot.

Don’t forget about health and safety considerations when planning your workshop space. Reduce the risks for injury by planning smartly.

Don’t underestimate the importance of taking accurate measurements of the area you are transforming into your workshop. "Measure twice, cut once" certainly applies when you want to keep your workshop functional and organised.

Draw a floor plan and add all the measurements – this will help you when you’re looking for workshop storage solutions in the next step. Inaccurate or incorrect figures can be very costly – just imagine finding the perfect workshop cabinet for your tools only to realise that it doesn’t fit properly after you bought it.

Shelving is a great idea for your workshop. However, pick your workshop shelving with care – consider not only how it will look and what you will use it for, but also how it will fit into your overall workshop layout. You can gain or lose storage space depending on how thorough you are when you plan your shelving.

We recommend including a functional workbench in your workshop if possible. It serves multiple purposes – it provides space to work on as well as storage opportunities. Always have your most frequently used tools at hand by keeping them on your workbench.

Workbenches come in different sizes, designs and colours, so you can choose one that suits your needs and personal taste.

Personalising your workshop space makes it your own. While efficiency and functionality are essential, make sure to create a place that you feel comfortable working in. If you don’t like the look and feel or your workshop, it might discourage you from using it.

Your workshop should reflect not only your DIY projects and interests but also your personality. Pick materials and colours you like when possible, add a poster somewhere, or keep a radio in your workshop so that you can sing along to your favourite tunes.

If you prefer to work on a variety of DIY projects, why not create a multipurpose space that meets the requirements of several types of workshopping? You can either include different sections for metal or woodworking or combine them if possible.

Your garage or shed can also blend work with leisure if your space is suitable. Integrate a seating area for relaxation and rest, or a cosy reading nook for when you need a quiet and private space. With space-saving products and a bit of creativity, there are few limits to what you can do with even the smallest of spaces.

Designing a practical and well-organised workshop comes down to thoughtful planning and choosing storage that works as hard as you do. Once you've assessed your workshop’s requirements, mapped out a practical floorplan and measured every inch with care, you can bring your ideas to life with efficient shelving, functional workbenches and clever touches that make the space feel personal.