Garage Design and Construction

1. Clean Your Shop. Before you start throwing shelves and workbenches into a garage, you need to clean up. Keep in mind that many of the things you put in there will stay in place for a very long time. You want to make sure you do an excellent job sweeping the floors and cleaning the walls before going nuts. If that means tearing everything out, it means tearing everything out—better now than later.
2. Get The Basics in Order. While you clean, it won’t hurt to note the things you have and compare them to the list of basic needs we provided and the one you’ve created for yourself. Once you know what you need, go ahead and start collecting what you can. It can be expensive to buy everything at once, so take your time, gather the items you need first, and work your way through the list of things you need.
3. Take On a Few Projects. Once you’ve got your ducks in a row, the best thing to do is put yourself to work. The projects you take on, the vehicles you work on, and, most importantly, your workflow will define the setup you need. So, you’ll want to get your hands dirty and learn a few things about the trade and yourself before trying to replicate the systems and tools others are using.
4. Clean The Shop AGAIN! It might seem stupid that we’re reminding you that cleaning up the shop is essential. But the reality is that it’s elementary to fall into the poor habit of working through the clutter. Trust me. You’ll spend more money replacing tools and parts you lose around the shop than anywhere else if you don’t keep things clean. It’s best to nip any habits in the bud now and save a substantial amount of money that you can be spending on items your shop needs.
5. Take Note of Your Needs. After working through a few projects. You can take the time to think about the tools and set up that best suits your needs. After cleaning up shop again, you can stand back and start to visualize the layout that’ll best complement your workflow and any additional tools you might want to have invested. If you don’t do much work on the benchtop, a small parts organizer and toolbox are good enough. 
6. Reorganize Your Setup. Don’t just dream, do it. Take the initiative to start organizing your shop so that it’s the way you want it. During this portion, you’ll begin to feel like you’re chipping away at your dream setup. Don’t just think in the now either. For example, making space for a lift or station, you eventually intend to purchase now is a good idea.
7. Go Shopping. Ok, so you have a list and a vision in mind. Still, you can miss the little things. Take the time to check out the local tool supply. You’re sure to find little things that will improve your workflow. Things like magnetic tool rails, paper towel dispensers, and screwdriver holders can make a significant difference in any project. Just be ready to get carried away and blow through an entire paycheck when you do.
8. Gather, Organize, and Take Inventory of your Parts. Mechanical hobbies are expensive, not because of the tools. It’s buying parts and expendables you already have. That’s precisely why shelving units and storage cabinets are crucial for any garage. Now, and every so often, you should look at the parts you have, take inventory and organize them. Trust me. Building a collection of spare parts that you can pick from will save you a TON of money in the long run.

How I’d Start Setting Up My Garage From Scratch

We’ve all dreamt of a garage setup designed to our exact tastes. Here’s how I’d do it.

Space

How much space does my dream garage have? An industrial-size building would be the actual dream, but a two- or a three-bay garage would also work just fine. A single bay is excellent for storage, but projects tend to take up quite a bit of room. Having an additional bay to dedicate to an engine rebuild or similar project is a significant convenience that quite honestly propels the project forward to a substantial degree. That’s something I would keep in mind if I were to build a garage from scratch. 

The Workbench

A suitable workbench doesn’t need to be the size of Kansas to suffice, but it sure is nice when it is. In my dream garage, a wrap-around workbench would be one of the first things to build. That way, there’s plenty of space to store tools on top and large equipment beneath while giving you plenty of room to tear down whatever you need without having to risk contamination or spilling your cup of joe.

Tool Storage

Tool storage is a significant concern for many, but being a minimalist in this area goes a long way. I’ll admit that I’d certainly buy into the idea of a pegboard simply because it saves a good amount of space on the workbench, but I’d use it for little more than keeping the essential hand tools. Other than that, one large chest for miscellaneous tools and a few smaller toolboxes dedicated to specialty tools such as electrical diagnostic tools, pneumatic tools, and so on would be just fine for me.

Parts Storage

If you have a project car, you have spare parts on hand. That collection, while convenient, takes up more room than anything else in my possession. Multi-tier wire rack shelving systems work wonderfully for parts storage. They do take up some floor space, but when paired with totes, you can quickly organize everything you’ve got on hand. I currently rely on a similar system and add something similar to my dream garage as my brain is programmed to work with it. I’d like to see cabinets to separate speed-related parts or those I pick from most frequently, as well. 

Specialty Tools

I think a good air compressor is something you can’t afford to overlook when talking about specialty tools. Pneumatic tools for mechanical projects are a great addition to any shop. They also give you the option to venture further into paint and bodywork. Even if you don’t specialize in bodywork, having the opportunity to apply a proper coat of paint is always beneficial. I currently don’t lean on compressed air for much more than busting wheels free or filling up tires. However, I’d still like to see a 30-gallon compressor in my dream shop.

What About a Lift?

Everyone’s dream garage has a lift, right? Mine too. If I had a limitless budget and an industrial-size space, installing a car lift in your garage would be on the agenda. I know that isn’t a realistic thought, though. So, a good floor jack, some jack stands, and a creeper would take its place. Oh, and a transmission jack. Trust me. A regular floor jack isn’t the right tool for the job when the time comes to replace the clutch.