Which Comes First – Garage Workbench or Storage Cabinets?

When it come to an upgrade to your garage storage and functionality, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning of the process. “What do I do first?” If you’re looking for a garage makeover , then there are 4 major upgrades you can install: garage storage cabinets, workbench, epoxy flooring , and wall organizers.

At first glance, all of these upgrades combined can appear a bit pricey, so if you’re trying to figure out what to get first and still allow your garage renovation to expand later, then planning is crucial before attempting to install anything. Let’s explore a way to do it correctly.

Since it’s already a given that you’ll need garage cabinets to begin the process of being organized, the next question to ask is if a workbench is beneficial for you and your family. The common preconception of someone who uses workbenches is usually some sort of handyman or woodworker; but if you change the idea of “workbench” to “counter space”, the possibility of functions expand quite easily. The following are some uses for having a workbench:

• Have counter space in your garage
• Need a place to fix things with all your tools within reach
• Keep all your frequently used tools in one place and within reach
• Work on projects too messy for indoors
• Space to work while family is asleep
• Space to temporarily place down items
• Have a place to work on something away from everyone else

If you’re on a budget and want to complete your garage renovation in stages, consider installing garage cabinets around your workbench as the first phase of your garage makeover (given that you already completed the garage clean out process > free garage cleanout guide at the bottom of article). This way, you’ll have a functional workspace that you can use immediately and garage storage cabinets to keep your most important and frequently used items within reach and organized.

Now that you know which garage systems you’ll be installing first, it’s important to understand garage zoning - where all of your storage items go. This step is crucial because if you want to expand later, you must have the entire garage design completed beforehand to ensure your garage renovation fits together perfectly with your workflow. Let’s explore the different zones of your garage.

Frequently Used Outdoor Items

Located closest to your garage door, your frequently used outdoor items include bicycles, sports equipment, brooms, etc.

Long, Tall, Thin Storage

Located at the midpoint of your garage will be the spot to store hanging items such as shovels, rakes, and other yard equipment because it will allow more room for your car doors to open up.

Large Item Storage

Located in the corner furthest from the garage door and house door is where all of your less frequently used items are stored. The rule of thumb is - the rarer the use, the higher the placement. The storage items include seasonal items, camping gear, and large items like storage containers and more.

Need It Now and Transition

Located closest to the house door are your need-it-now items and items that you most frequently use going through this transition point of your home. Items include shoes, bags, recyclables, and any other daily needs. It could double as your mudroom and can hold coats if you wish.

Workspace Zone

Depending on where you have the most amount of space, the workbench can either be in front of your car or on the side. Whichever location that you choose, ensure that it can be easily accessed at any time without any potential obstacles in the way.

By planning your garage zoning and organizers first, you can confidently install your workbench with a few cabinets with the future intention of expansion.

Like with any new productivity-enhancing addition to your life, the only way to make it a sustainable solution is to make it hassle-free . The more obstacles you have in between you and the solution, the exponentially greater the chance of making it useless - that’s why a well designed and tailored garage system is so important.

The best advice would be to seek a professional in the field and if you’re lucky, you’ll find one that will do a free in-home design for you! Time is precious and nowadays, you’ll want to delegate as much as you can to those who are experts in the field.