Organize a Small Workshop

In this Instructable, I'll show you how my small space pulls off some big tasks, share with you some of my favorite storage and organization tips, and answer your frequently asked questions about my 200-square-foot workshop.

My studio is the biggest bedroom in my Brooklyn apartment. It has one closet, laminate floors, central air, and a small but useable space outside one of the two windows.

To organize your workshop, you will need:

• Tape measure
• A drawing of your space with measurements
• Measurements of all your furniture
• Plastic bins, paper boxes, or other containers
• A label maker

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I made a video tour of my workshop, check it out!

I like to store things based on how often I use them. I imagine them in my orbit-- the more often I use something, the closer it is stored to where I spend the most time. This may seem like a straightforward ideology, but it can be tough to execute in real life-- it can be hard to convince yourself that it's ok to have two areas for measuring tools, for example.

I like to group supplies by hobby and put them in labeled containers-- from small component drawers to stacking plastic bins.

For most of my big tools, I use a rolling tool chest. It holds way more stuff than shelves or a pegboard while making everything easy to reach for a short person, and provides an additional work surface. I keep my 3D printer on top of it and use the space next to it for whatever I'm working on. For a space with floors that aren't necessarily level, it was important to me to get a tool chest with drawers that latch shut and casters with locks, so nothing goes sliding around. The color is a bonus for me-- it matches the rest of the space and I can draw on it with dry erase makers. I like that everything can have a place in these drawers and be out of sight when not in use.

I know I’ve shown you a dry box for storing filament a few years ago, but this is how I’m storing it these days. In bags, with silica gel packets, sometimes vacuum sealed, since I’ve got a vacuum sealer in the kitchen. But you can also just use zip-top bags and pull the air out with a straw.

My electronics bench is also a jewelry bench. And has a bench vice, which is more typical of a woodworking or metalworking bench. These activities have been grouped by what they have in common--making a hot mess, literally. The bench has a tray that slides out, meant to catch bits of metal, but is also great for catching bits of wire insulation and other trash that accumulates during a project.

Notice how there is very little unused vertical space in my closet? Built-in shelving makes it possible to use every available space, right up to the edges. Things I use infrequently go up higher, clearing up the lower levels for things you are using every day or every week. I created inexpensive shelving elsewhere in my workshop using plywood and steel pipe fittings.

Check out the workshop tour on my website to read answers to folks' most commonly asked questions about my workshop.

I hope my small space can be inspiring to yours! Leave pics of your workshops in the comments!

To keep up with what I’m working on, follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and subscribe to my newsletter.