Your Dream Garage Is Not Beyond Reach
Just because you’re watching your bank balance doesn’t mean you can’t make an awesome garage to tinker in! There are loads of ways you can be economical while still building the man (or woman) cave you deserve.
Repurpose Old Furniture as Workbenches or Storage
Just because you can buy new furniture doesn’t mean you should! Take some unused stuff from your home and reinvent it; an old desk can become a workbench and kitchen cabinets turn into tool stations. Reinforce them and add castors as needed.
Use Pegboards for Vertical Tool Organization
When it comes to garage walls, nothing is as versatile as pegboards. They’re cheap, customizable and they organize your tools like a boss, plus you can reconfigure them super easily. Zip ties and metal hooks are great for displaying heavier tools.
Hit up Thrift Stores and Garage Sales for Supplies
If you’re in the market for some more furniture or tools, check out garage sales. You’d be surprised how much prices are slashed vs their new counterparts, and you might find some hidden treasures. Look out for buckets, bins and containers to store small components, too.
Install Shelves Using Reclaimed Wood
People are practically (and often literally) giving away free wood in the form of pallets, broken furniture and old fences. It’s sturdy and makes great shelving units - you just need to sand it down, cut it to size then mount it. The rustic look never goes out of style!
Use Magnetic Strips for Metal Tool Storage
Small tools can get everywhere and scrambling to find them last minute is a nightmare. Slap some magnetic strips on walls, shelves or anywhere convenient to store them in accessible places; it saves on both time and clutter.
Mount Jars Under Shelves for Small Parts Storage
This one harks back to your grandparents’ thrifty past: take the lid off old jars, screw them to the underside of shelves and twist the jars back on to make budget floating containers. They’re stylish and an easy way to display small components such as nails, bolts and washers.
Build a Fold-Down Workbench to Save Space
Mount a sturdy panel on the wall with some hinges and you have a flip-down workstation that’s perfect for garages with modest space. It doesn’t end there though; you can add folding legs, a chain support or even turn the underside into a chalkboard!
Use PVC Pipes for Tool Holders
You can pick up PVC pipes for crazy cheap prices and cut them to whatever size you want for access to instant vertical storage (wall mounting optional). They can hold small tools or spray cans and you can cut them diagonally or paint them to display your creativity.
Label Everything for Efficiency
All you really need is some masking tape and a marker for this one, and while it might seem over the top at first, you’ll be amazed how efficient it makes searching for tools and components. You can even color-code your labels for maximum search speed.
DIY Lighting With LED Strips or Shop Lights
Even if you have garage lighting, trying to find a switch in the dark can lead to stubbed toes or bruised knees. LED strips are affordable and surprisingly light, while you can hang shop lights from the ceiling. Plug-in timers or motion detectors will save energy!
Insulate With Leftover Materials or Thrifted Options
Homemade insulation might not be the prettiest option, but it does its job of regulating your garage’s temperature surprisingly well. Foam board, moving blankets, carpet scraps and bubble wrap can all keep the cold out and the warmth in for a cozy creative cave year-round.
Keep a Rolling Cart for Mobile Tools
Unless you’re trying to get your daily steps in, walking across your garage a hundred times during a project can get old, so make a wheeled cart loaded with your “go-to” tools - then you don’t have to! Slap some castors on an old cabinet and you’ve got an instant sidekick.
Use Stackable Bins From Dollar Stores
Dollar stores are basically where budget dreams come true - you can pick up a ton of supplies at thrifty prices, from sandpaper, rags and cord to stackable, space-saving bins! If you get them in different shades you can even color-code your organization.
Reuse Coffee Cans or Food Containers for Screws/nails
You’re probably throwing away tons of potential containers all the time. Keep your eyes open for empty coffee cans, peanut butter jars, yogurt tubs or anything else you can use to store screws, nails and even pens. Tip them on their side for quick access.
Paint the Floor With Budget Epoxy or Sealant
Trawl hardware stores for epoxy kits on sale or use basic concrete sealer to paint the floor; it will make spills easier to clean and reduce dust. You can flex your creative muscles and add grip in a single motion by adding paint flecks, too.
Install a Peg Rail or French Cleat System
Whether you’re short on horizontal room or just want to cram in as many space-savers as possible, vertical storage is smart storage! Peg rails are simple strips with storage pegs for hanging small tools and cords; French cleats are angled and ideal for heavier tasks.
Use a Power Strip With Surge Protection
It’s easy to get carried away with a bunch of power tools and devices, then forget that you have a power limit in your garage. Surge-protected strips can keep cords off the floor - saving you an unexpected trip - and stop fuses from popping mid-project.
Create a Dedicated Charging Station
Are you tired of scavenging among your gadgets looking for charged batteries like a post-apocalyptic scavenger? Hang a shelf specifically for charging devices and use cable ties to tame the ensuing spaghetti octopus. You can also add timers or smart plugs to save power.
Build a Small Parts Cabinet From Scrap
If you’re a DIY ninja you’ll probably find yourself with plenty of small-sized leftover wood. It’s all useful, and in this case you can turn it into mini drawers, sliding trays or open cubbies for little bits and bolts.
Prioritize Modular Storage for Easy Upgrades
Set yourself up for potential changes (or evolutions) of your workspace with storage that’s flexible. Movable units, stackable crates and baskets and standard sizes will future-proof the area if you ever want to make easy changes!
