My garage also happens to be my shop, and it’s pretty dang small.
When I moved into this house, my goal was simple: make that tiny shop space feel bigger so I could be more productive and actually enjoy woodworking in it. After some trial and error (and maybe a few stubbed toes), here are 7 things I did that made a huge difference:
1. Prioritize Convenience
Not everything needs to be tucked away in a drawer like a secret snack stash. I keep the tools I use most — tape, squares, glue, CA glue, screws, tape measures — out and easy to grab. Yours might be different, but take note of what you reach for constantly and make those things accessible. Your future self will thank you.
2. Be Realistic About Tools
In a small space, you can’t fit every tool (even if your heart says yes). I use the 30 Day Rule. Before buying anything big, I think about it for 30 days. Do I still want it? Will I actually use it? If it still seems like a good idea after a month, then it might actually be a good idea. But nine times out of ten, it’s not a drum sander... it’s just a phase.
3. Offcut & Jig Storage
I don’t hoard every scrap — I’m not building a plywood version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa — but I do save valuable offcuts. I built a five-level shelving unit for them, and it’s a game-changer. The top levels hold jigs and templates, and the lower ones store boards I might reuse. No more digging through piles like a woodworking raccoon.
Get the plans for the DIY 5-Tier Shelving Unit HERE.
4. Dedicated Storage Is Everything
Every piece of furniture in my shop (except my stool, which is just out here freeloading) has built-in storage. But more important than having storage is having dedicated storage. Everything has a spot. If I know where it goes, I’ll put it back. If I don’t, it ends up in the “I’ll deal with this later” pile, which we all know is a black hole.
5. Put It on Wheels
If it can move, it should. Most of my shop furniture is on casters so I can rearrange tools, make space for longer boards, or just do a little mid-project dance break. Big casters with locking brakes are key. The only stationary item in my shop is the router table because it doesn’t need to move, and frankly, it knows its place.
6. Use Your Walls
Walls are for way more than clamps. I use them for sanding tools, drills, a lumber rack, hand tools, and accessories. When I got my lumber off the floor and onto the wall, the shop instantly felt roomier. And I stopped tripping over 2x4s, which has done wonders for my shins.
Check out the plans for my Ultimate Clamp Rack HERE.
7. Folding Workbench
One of the best decisions I made: building a folding workbench that collapses up into the wall when not in use. It saves a ton of space and gives me room for assembling large projects or just pacing around thinking about the meaning of grain direction.
Grab the Wall-Mounted Folding Workbench Plans HERE.
No matter how big or small your shop is, I hope these ideas help you make the most of your space. If you try any of them or have your own clever small shop tips, I’d love to hear them. Especially if they involve secret compartments. I love a good secret compartment.
— Thomas Gojkovich
Thomas Custom Woodworks