Start with what you reach for
Storage at a workstation is a different problem from storage for a whole shop. The question is not where everything can fit but where the things you use every few minutes should live. A tape measure, pencil, square, a handful of drivers and a few clamps are picked up dozens of times in one project. A rarely used router bit set, or a box of leftover hardware, is not. Good workstation storage places the first group where a hand can find it without thought, and sends the second group somewhere farther away.
This article covers layouts and building approaches. The sizes mentioned are hypothetical examples to help you plan.
Think in reach zones
Imagine standing at the workstation and reaching without moving your feet.
Primary zone. Within easy arm reach, roughly between hip and shoulder height and within a forearm’s length. Keep the most-used items here: a marking tool, a square, pliers, a small set of chisels or drivers and the tape. A shallow tray or rail on or just above the bench works, as does a narrow shelf behind the work area.
Secondary zone. A step or a short reach away. Hand planes, saws, a drill and its bits, sanding supplies and often-used clamps fit here. Drawers beneath the bench and a wall panel beside it are common choices.
Tertiary zone. Elsewhere in the room. Seasonal items, spare blades, infrequently used jigs and bulk fasteners can live on higher shelves or in cabinets further away.
Rearrange as you work. Watching where you leave things at the end of a day tells you where they want to live.
Choose among storage types
Open shelves and rails. Fast to access and easy to build, but they collect dust and make a shop look messy if overfilled. They suit tools you use constantly. Ideas for wall shelving appear under shelving options.
Pegboard and French cleat walls. Tools are visible and flexible to rearrange. Pegboard is inexpensive but hooks can fall off, and heavy tools may overload it. A French cleat system, a pair of interlocking beveled strips, holds heavier items, and holders can be moved easily. See pegboard layout for tips on arranging one.
Magnetic holders. Handy for steel tools such as chisels and screwdrivers, helped by a magnetic strip. Be careful that strong magnets are mounted where tools cannot fall onto your hands or bench edge.
Drawers. Enclosed, protected from dust, and good for small items. Shallow drawers work better for small tools, since deep drawers become piles. Drawer dividers are essential. Methods are discussed in drawer organization.
Cabinets and doors. Hide clutter and protect from dust and finishing overspray, but you have to open them. Reserve them for second-tier items. More detail is in cabinet organization.
Rolling carts. Allow storage to move to where it is needed. They suit assembly work, sanding and finishing supplies. Keep casters locking, and do not overload the cart.
Build in storage the right way
Whatever form the storage takes, a few construction habits help.
- Support the weight. Tools are heavier than they look. A drawer full of hand tools can weigh a lot. Use full-extension slides rated for the load or sturdy wood runners, and fasten shelves with screws and glue where appropriate. Use appropriate fasteners to anchor wall units into studs; the guide to wall anchors explains what works in various walls.
- Keep the benchtop clear. If storage sits above or behind the work area, make sure it does not interfere with clamping or with long boards. Leave the front edge of the bench free.
- Use shallow depths. Shelves 6 to 10 inches deep, as a hypothetical range, keep tools visible and reachable. Deep shelves hide things at the back.
- Label and divide. Foam inserts, wooden dividers and simple labels make it clear where each item goes and when something is missing. The habits behind this are covered under tool labeling and tool organization.
- Protect the tools. Cutting edges need guards or slots so they are not knocked against metal. Keep damp items away from steel, and consider rust prevention in humid shops.
Leave space for power tools
Corded and cordless tools need their own storage, including chargers and batteries. Plan a spot where a charger can sit near an outlet and where cords can be stored without tangles. Batteries should be stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, away from heat and metal items that could short the terminals. Our article on power tool storage covers this in more detail.
Include dust and light
Storage can both collect dust and block light. Open shelves above the bench may cast shadows, so consider a light fixture mounted underneath or tilted toward the work. Put saws and sanding tools in closed storage if you make a lot of dust, or at least keep them away from the main dust-generating areas.
Make it adaptable
A common mistake is to build everything fixed. Adjustable shelves, removable dividers and a wall area left for future tools make the layout easier to change. Start with a small number of fixed parts, then use the workstation for a month and add storage where you find yourself walking back and forth.
Check the result
When you finish, work through a simple project and note each time you reach for something. If you walk more than a couple of steps for a tool you use constantly, move it. If something sits unused for months, store it farther away. The storage layout should reflect how you actually work, not how you imagined you would.