6 Essential DIY Shop Comfort Items
Working on your projects or just maintaining your daily driver does not require a lot: Some tools and a little space are all that is strictly necessary. As someone who has replaced a fuel pump in a hotel parking lot in the rain and understands exactly how much can be done with very little, I’ve discovered that there are some items that, while not strictly necessary to complete work, are the first steps into enjoying your time turning wrenches. Once you have a project, some space, and some tools, these six things are likely to make your working time more enjoyable and less wearing on your body.
Lighting
Even before I needed corrective lenses, I knew that seeing is believing. It seemed every project was filled with surprises when the only shop lighting I had was two halogen bulbs on a three-legged stand and a bare lightbulb 20 feet up on the ceiling of a storage unit.
Well-lit spaces just make working on projects less stressful and tiring. Fair warning, LED lights have gotten affordable and it might be tempting to start mounting every single light you can afford to the ceiling. More is not always better, though. We make jokes about the garage being similar to a surgery ward, but with enough light it will really feel like it. Bright white lights will change the feel of the space, so consider also installing a few softer lights on another switch to so as to not surprise-blind someone as they open the door late in the evening, or keep the whole neighborhood up while you’re working late with the garage door open.
Appropriate working-height bench
Workbenches are very personal. I like mine to be stiff, heavy, and roll to where I need them. More than anything, I love that my benches are adjustable height. I’m not a giant, but I’ve found that I prefer my benches higher than most of my friends who also have workspaces.
Having your work at an appropriate height makes things more enjoyable and allows the use of tools and leverage appropriately. It also prevents the need to lean over or work at odd angles. Whether you build your bench or buy one like I did, consider the working height and even experiment to find the best one for you.
Anti-fatigue mats
Automotive projects seem to have three options for how we end up working on them: Standing, sitting, or laying. Sitting is a luxury few of us get to enjoy in the shop since chairs take up so much space and often we would need to get up and sit down multiple times to get tools or supplies mid-project.
For standing and laying down, some cushion goes a long way. This large anti-fatigue mat was left by the previous owners of this house when they moved out and I almost immediately found myself asking why I had never used one previously. These mats aren’t incredibly expensive and can last a very long time, making for a perfect investment for anyone who enjoys working in the garage.
Hearing protection
Damping the noise of my tools and projects has made working in the shop that much more enjoyable for me. Unfortunately for me, hearing the ringing of tinnitus for the rest of my life is already a reality, but it doesn’t have to be for everyone.
Having a nice set of earmuffs, noise-cancelling headphones, or earplugs within reach while working will ensure that things stay the appropriate volume. A shop can get chaotic when the radio’s cranked up to 11 so it can be heard over air tools and hammering. Rather than turning things up to match each other, it makes sense to dial everything back.
Music
Counter to the point above, I’m not trying to work in silence. Music sets the mood for projects too. The perfect song at imperfect times can literally save your project, or at least your sanity. Having a garage stereo is basically law, but do consider that the stereo can cause hearing damage just the same as big tools and loud bangs. Listen responsibly or you may never enjoy music the same again.
Workbench toe kick
It’s strange to think about, but some years ago I was renting a house that had a built-in workbench in the basement. Whenever I would use that bench my lower back would hurt. Turns out it was from the lack of a toe kick which forced me to stand that little bit further away from the bench, making me lean over to ever so slightly to work on the the surface. Everyone is different, so this might not affect you, but it highlights that there are many small items in a garage that may go unnoticed until you start working in there on a regular basis. There is a reason nearly all kitchen lower cabinets have this feature. Consider repurposing a set in your garage or shop to get this along with other nice features.
Pretty good list, Kyle, and I suspect that other commenters will add to it, but I want to put a hearty second vote to the workbench height idea. I’m a fairly tall dude – and most of my height is in the torso as opposed to the legs. Thus, bending over has been de rigueur in many of my jobs over the years. At the end of a long day, one can have a miserable night with just a slight bit of bend that isn’t necessary with a bench at the right height. The toe-kick piece is also important.
I second the height being up a little. Having to only crane your neck a little is a LOT better than working bent over.
Mine are all 42″ high for the same reasons stated.
Good heating for us in the northern areas. We have a 120,000 BTU ceiling unit and a pellet stove in our garage that has the lift in it. Thermostat is set at 45 to keep the chill off 24/7 and can get the get it comfortable to work in shirt sleeves within 10 or 15 minutes.
Amen! I’m working in shorts and t shirt today at 70 degrees while 28 outside.
I have an oil-fired unit rescued from a demo job. The regular house heater is in the garage too, and that alone keeps things above 40
I did radiant heat with electric water heaters – I had the advantage of building from scratch. I went with radiant heat (1300’ of tubing in the floor) because I didn’t want an open flame when I’m painting or dealing with other flammables. Now that I have experienced radiant heat – tools warm, floor warm, parts warm… if I can help it, I will never own another garage without it.
I was fortunate enough to have done the same with radiant in floor during construction….I almost didn’t for budget purposes and am glad I elected to go all in…..being on a creeper is almost a comfort!
Living near San Antonio, I have the opposite problem. I need a big fan in the garage if I want to work in summer. There’s no window, so if I want to install an A/C, I’ll have to knock out some stonework on the exterior.
Go with a mini split. I installed mine and love it for cooling and heat. I’m in Belton.
I cannot say enough good about having a mini-split inverter heat pump. I live near the coast in Virginia, and have what seems like daily extreme weather changes. The result is corrosion, far more than I remember in Oregon. I keep the temps in my workshop between 68 and 72, and a dehumidifier occasionally kicks in at 40 percent. Running cost is very low, and well worth it for the working comfort and metal preservation.
Agreed, living in the extreme latitudes of our country require some climate control. I live in southwest Florida and controlling heat and humidity is paramount. I have a split unit, with an insulated door & ceiling.
I also have a mini-split in my workshop. Don’t have to use the heat too often here in Houston, but the a/c is a must.
I’m in Parkville MO and 2nd your reply. Installed the mini Split 3 years ago and garage and shop always comfortable.
Hey Jim – I’m in KC. How big is your shop and how big is the minisplit? I’ve been thinking about one for summer – AC only. Is the power consumption reasonable ($$)?
Swamp Cooler. Sounds crazy to blow humid air around but it works and can be moved around the shop, patio, driveway……
Install a mini split. One small 3 inch hole for line set and com cable and super efficient. Get a pre charged unit and installation is a breeze, I love mine.
What brand are you using Kevin? There are so many out there it’s hard to decide which is better.
thanks
Jerry
Yep! 13deg here today, garage is a balmy 58.
The coasties don’t usually consider the cold. 😉
Here in the great white north a heated garage is wonderful for productivity. The best heat is a heated floor but you have to put it in when you build it. My garage is very well insulated. I keep it at 60f and the annual (electric) bill is $300-350 by running it only at night when the rate is cheapest. The pex pipe, manifold, pumps, hot water booster, and antifreeze ran
$2500. I want retrofit my house with the same system.
Being an HVAC guy in northern MN, I prefer a mobile home (downflow) furnace on an open-sided stand in my garage. The heat coming from the furnace is introduced across the floor making it more comfortable when working low in the shop or beneath vehicles. It also dries the floor quickly from snow melt! MH furnaces don’t take too much floor space (approx. 18”x24”) and the return air enters through the front cabinet door eliminating the need for return air to enter from the sides or rear. I prefer fuel oil heat, it burns much hotter than gas, and more BTUs for the buck. Plus I also get a lot for free from those who switch to gas.
Ceiling-hung unit heaters (i.e. Hot Dawgs) introduce the heat near the ceiling where it naturally rises anyway, not heating your space from bottom to top, and they’re noisier.
I hope all of you using open flame heaters in your garage have them at least 18″ above floor level. I remember a story about a NG water heater in the locker room in a big shop. One of the mechanics had gotten a lot of gasoline on his coveralls and while changing the fumes spread to the heater and BOOM! A garage with gasoline fumes in the air which often happens for obvious reasons can be just as dangerous. That’s why garage heaters are placed high above the floor.
I have an oil radiant heater in my shop I have set at 40, when I go into do some timely work I turn it up to 75 and I’m good, the chainsaw, drill press and bench grinder appreciate it also.
Yup. I have Mitsubishi combo units in my 1300 sq ft boat and car garage. They work great and the electric bill isn’t bad at all.
Outlets. When building add outlets often and all around. I have them every couole feet and even a good number in the ceiling.
Heat in the colder areas. Thus becomes a year round work space and doubles your use.
Finally water inside the garage. This is good for work to cleaning.
But on the list above. Make sure to follow the light recommendation. It makes life easier and can increase the quality of your work be it paint detailing to a better weld. Not to mention finding tha nut you dropped.
Hot and cold running water, a sink and a toilet, #1 only. My garage was once a working shop
Just add a floor drain and its perfect.
Floor drains aren’t building code compliant anymore in many locales. People would pour oil and other contaminants down the drain.
Concur with plenty of receptacles. If you have compressed air, a drop on each wall with hose reels is nice!
We have our compressor in the shed next to the barn, so it’s quiet. I like our woodstove because we have lots of free wood, and it has a glass door so I can sit and watch the fire. Plus chicks like woodstoves so my hot lady friend (my wife) will sometimes visit. Lights on multiple switches so you can turn them all on, or just a few depending on what your doing. Stool for working at my bench, and comfortable chair to sit by fire. Wharfedales, Yamaha amp and subwoofer. Someday I’ll find a nice old Fisher or Marantz.
I bought a Fisher receiver in 1980 or ’81. It didn’t last very long. My stepson has had very good results from his old Marantz.
LED headlamps. They make a world of difference.
I had none of these when I changed the clutch on my BMW R100S in the 90s in my apartment garage. I used a Coleman lantern for light and ran an impact wrench off a carry tank to loosen the clutch bolts.
I’m much better off now with a two car garage, LED lights, a rolling stool and a cordless impact wrench.I still don’t have room for a car in there what with motorcycles, kayaks and bicycles.
As an ‘Octo’ R.O.P.¹, enjoyed all the nostalgia!! ‘The Shop’ (garage) has always been my favorite room!;)
Thx!! HNY’25!
¹ ‘Ret’d Ol’ Peeps’ (below I-40, few heaters!;)
Jim, I’m a ROP as well, just turned 70.
BTW, I loved you in “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
(Sorry. I’ll bet you get teased about being Jimmy Stewart way too often! 😝)
Got to have tunes (and appropriate era for project i.e. Elvis for 59 Ford pick-up Black Sabbath for 62 H.D. XLCH chopper etc) good tunes ALL WAYS help.
The older BOSE system in my shop recently crashed and while I’m waiting for a part I’ve been working in silence except for the hum of the shop machinery. The silence is deafening and I’ve started talking to myself. Sure hope that part shows up soon.
Why? Got nothing interesting to say to yourself? 😁
All I do is argue with the voices in my head! They usually win. That’s why my garage is filled with what it is….
I like talking to myself. I appreciate an attentive audience and an intelligent speaker.
For music, I got an old Alexa gadget plugged into my 1970 Sansui stereo. With a couple of play lists on Amazon, I get whatever music I want. I suppose some folks won’t like that approach but it works pretty well. Along the way, a couple winters back I did another small project of refoaming the 1970 Ohm speakers that were part of the stereo system. I don’t recall if the notes talked about a good vice. Maybe not a comfort item, but if I had a nickel for every time I used my vice, I’d have a lot of nickels. One other item that I got from someones trash, a tall stool to sit on. If you find one with a back, that is even better. Usually I am standing, but now and then some project is a more detailed focus and sitting is the way to get at it. I second the ideas about the best lighting you can have available.
Hmm, Walsh speakers, nice!!!. I have Ohm Walsh 2’s but they inside. The are same vintage as my 1986 Shelby GLHS. Garage stereo is my old surround sound receiver, a pair of Paradigm Atoms, a pair of salvaged door speakers (kenwood) in old Sony enclosures from my 95 Dodge Intrepid, the 12″ sub from my Intrepid and a pair of Klipsh conference room speakers I picked out of the trash at work. The input is split so I can put the sound where I want it. Yes the receiver will cry for mercy if I crank it with all channels playing
Great comments nothing listed I would want to do away with but surprised no one has mentioned coffee maker.
Or the beer fridge…
My thought too!
Absolutely! Back in the 1990s I bought a used and rebuilt 1965 “Cavalier 64” Coca-Cola vertical door vending machine with the door you open and grab the bottle neck to pull your beer bottle out. Funky, cool and totally function. 15 cents buys my beer! I don’t care what it costs to run! A nice, functional and fitting 7-car drive-out basement garage accessory!
Bill
Best tool I ever bought is my 2 post lift, no more laying on concrete with jack stands!
I concur. I bought a two post lift from Advantage Lifts just over a year ago. Why I didn’t buy one 30 years ago I can’t say, but I will never be without one again.
I would love a two-post, but don’t have quite enough room to raise even to work beneath from a stool. So I bought a QuickJack 7000TLX lift years ago and am very happy with it. Not as good as a two-post, but much better and higher than a jack and a set of stands! The only downside is that they’re 90# each and much to handle. But for as seldom as I have projects that require them, they’re pretty nice to have available and they store standing against a wall when not in use.
Agree with all… I redid my woodshop 25 years ago…. painted the walls and ceiling white and the floor a light tan to hide sawdust. . Installed flourescent lighting to a good level of footcandles… especially at the machines and benches. i don’t like clutter even on shelves so i bought a few metal storage lockers… painted them white…. so the walls are not cluttered and are white… makes the place look bigger. It is very clean and even smells clean. Keep it clean and it doesn’t get dirty….
Absolute necessity in cold climes is heat. And add in AC for those in hot climes.