How to Overhaul a Basement Workshop

Learn how to make over a basement workshop; includes plans and details on hanging and installing wall cabinets and pegboard.

Some might say that Ron's friend Jim over in Trumbull, Connecticut is a pack rat. Ron can certainly understand. There are lots of things that you just don't want to throw away because you never know when you might need them. But sometimes you just need to get rid of stuff. Ron paid Jim a visit to help!

1. Clear out space Begin by clearing everything out of the way. You need to get down to a bare space before you can decide what to put back. It is important when you begin putting things back that you have plenty of storage and space to organize it all. Once the space is emptied, paint the walls where necessary.

The 3-dimensional drawings for this project were made with SketchUp design software. Please click here to download the full-size, 3-D drawings for the workshop makeover. To view these drawings, please download the free SketchUp Viewer.

Create a design that fits your needs using any combination of wall and base cabinets, pegboard, a work counter, a tall storage cabinet, etc. The cabinets used for this project are from a storage system by Stanley.

2. Mount wall cabinets The wall cabinets hang on the walls with clips that are attached with concrete screws. To install them, begin by marking the locations and then drilling holes into the concrete with a hammer drill equipped with a masonry bit. Apply pressure to the back of the drill with your free hand to help the drill go in more easily. Attach mounting brackets to the wall with hardened steel concrete screws.

Each cabinet hangs on two clips. Lift the cabinet up so that the clips engage and then let it down gently. There are two more clips that attach at the bottom of the cabinet to keep the base from popping out.

3. Pegboard Pegboard is great for hanging tools. A coat of black paint on the pegboard provides an optional but attractive contrast to the wall cabinets. Attach a piece of 1 x 2 all the way around the outside edge of the pegboard. This will allow the pegboard to stand away from the wall. Apply glue to the 1 x 2, slip it underneath the pegboard and attach it with screws. Then mount the pegboard on the wall, again with concrete screws.

4. Countertop A piece of 3/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard) makes an excellent work surface. When preparing the countertop, it is a good idea to add a small backsplash on the back so items won't roll off the back. It will also provide a little extra stiffness. To attach the backsplash, apply glue to the edge of a piece of 1 x 4 and align it flush with the edge, clamp it in place, and then drive in screws from underneath.

A new light fixure is alway a great touch to make your workshop seem new. Attach a new light fixture to the ceiling by screwing it up into the ceiling joist.

For additional storage, a tall standing cabinet can often be an excellent use for space.

There are many accessories and storage ideas to make a workshop more functional. There are clever storage bins that sit on a rail so you can extend it as far as you want to. With lots of pegboard you can get all kinds of convenient and flexible storage devices that hang on the board.

Ron also added a brand new, state of the art saw to make his friend's new workshop something that even Ron was envious of.

Tip: For the enthusiastic gardener, Ron rigged up an adjustable light fixture to provide artificial light to small seedlings. The light needs to be kept about four inches above the top of the plants so he needed a way to make adjustments, as the seedlings grow taller.

Ron used adjustable sawhorses to create the base of the table. On top of that, he placed a piece of plywood and a plastic sort of liner to catch any dripping water. Ron then rigged up a light fixture with a couple of pulleys so that the light could be raised and lowered over the seedlings. The transformation from a messy, disorganized workspace to a neat, clean and tidy one can be truly amazing. Not only does it look and feel so much better, but you can also get much more done when you can find everything.

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