How To Turn Any Shop Into A Woodworking Sanctuary
A guide to creating an organized workshop, developing a smooth workflow, and doing more with the space you have
From the Workshop of Steve Ramsey
Marin County, California
There’s no better feeling than spending the weekend in your shop, building something with your own hands…
It’s a place you can go on a Saturday morning to be alone, breathe in the calming smell of freshly cut lumber, and immediately get lost in your work.
It gives you an escape – somewhere you can check everything else at the door and be fully focused on each and every cut.
And it’s a sanctuary where you can let your creativity take over and build something useful that will last for years.
That’s woodworking at its best.
But for a lot of woodworkers, this experience is a far cry from reality, and their workshops often feel like anything but a sanctuary…
When Your Shop Works Against You Instead of With You
Woodworking can be a much-needed creative escape, but for so many people, that’s often overshadowed by the pain of dealing with a messy, disorganized shop.
When that’s the case, your excitement about woodworking can quickly turn into frustration.
And instead of enjoyment, experiences like these might feel more familiar…
- You have an hour at the end of a long day to get into the shop and unwind, but between setting up and cleaning up, you barely have time to work on anything
- Your work is constantly interrupted by tripping over cords and walking back and forth looking for that drill you just had in your hand
- Your work surfaces are always buried under materials and pieces of projects you’re working on, and you often move three things just to use one
- You make an extra trip to the hardware store to get a hex driver bit you need, only to open up a shop drawer later and find out you already had one in that size
- You’re diligent about using your Shop-Vac, but there’s still dust all over your space, your tools, and the family car – and it always gets tracked inside the house
If you relate to any of that, you’re not alone. Nearly every woodworker has been there at some point (especially when working in a small or shared space).
And most of them have no idea how to set up an organized, efficient shop that they love working in.
In fact, many don’t think it’s even possible in their space…
When Getting Organized Seems Impossible
The truth is: for a lot of people, organizing a work space is a daunting task.
While your shop might have started out with just a few saws and a workbench, things get cluttered all too quickly...
You find great deals for tools online and build up a pile of scrap wood, and your family steadily adds their own contribution of holiday decorations, sports equipment, and gardening supplies.
It gets harder and harder to work, so you try to get on top of things.
You sort your tools and adjust your setup. Maybe you even put a few shop projects on wheels or add a folding table.
And it feels nice, for a day or two…
But you end up more or less where you started: with a chaotic shop.
I know first hand how frustrating that is. It can feel like you’re doomed to have a shop that’s always messy and hard to navigate.
You might even think the only solution is more space (as so many woodworkers do).
But here’s the good news: after spending 40 years woodworking in basements, tiny apartments, and small garages, I can tell you that…
Any workshop can be transformed into an organized
woodworking sanctuary – no matter how little space you have.
Even if you’re in a shared shop, and even if you’ve tried many times before to improve your space without results…
You can have a strategic layout where every tool is easy to find, your workflow is smooth and uninterrupted, and you’re free to focus on creating with a quiet mind.
And you can have a shop that’s organized, and stays that way, so you can always get to work as soon as you walk in the door.
After decades of woodworking out of my garage, I know for a fact that you can turn your shop into a space you love working in – without building an addition or kicking out the car.
However, it does require doing things a little differently than you have in the past.
In fact, it means learning...
3 Principles
For Getting The Most
Out Of Your Shop
1 Pick the right shop projects
Working in a small or shared shop is all about using space as efficiently as possible. That means picking the right shop projects is a must.
In general, each of your shop projects should have at least one of the following characteristics. It should be:
- Wall-mounted
- Multi-use
- Mobile (meaning, on wheels)
- Collapsible
If it combines any of these options, even better! That’s the best way to really get the most out of your space.
It’s nearly impossible to buy shop furniture like this off the shelf, but luckily, as a woodworker you can choose these kinds of projects to build for yourself!
1 Pick the right shop projects
A flip-top tool stand on wheels will allow multiple tools to share floor space and be easily stored against a wall when not in use
2 Keep things easy to find with shallow shelves and drawers
You'll never forget which tools and supplies you've already got
2 Keep things easy to find with shallow shelves and drawers
This might seem like counterintuitive advice, but deep drawers and giant shelves just attract extra tools, materials, and miscellaneous junk that doesn’t need to be in your shop.
And that kind of clutter makes it incredibly hard to find the things you need or focus on your work.
Shallow drawers and shelves make it much easier to keep things neat and you will always be able to see the tool you need, because it won’t slip to the back of a shelf or be buried in a drawer.
Once everything in your shop is in its rightful place, you’ll quickly find that your shop is easier to navigate and keep organized.
3 Strategically store tools and materials to create a smooth workflow
Even in a small shop, constantly walking back and forth to find different accessories or complete small tasks wastes valuable time.
Dedicating time to strategic reorganizing, like grouping equipment, tools, materials, and accessories that you typically use at the same time, minimizes unnecessary movement and makes you more efficient.
If you still move around a lot for certain tasks, like finishing, for example, consider building a cart (or a finishing station) on wheels and packing it with your brushes, rags, gloves, and other essentials that usually end up scattered around your shop.
Organizing your shop this way will make a huge difference in the amount of progress you’re able to make during each workshop session – which makes woodworking way more fun!
3 Strategically store tools and materials to create a smooth workflow
Keeping your shop organized will drastically change your workflow
I hope you’re starting to see that these guiding principles can help you get so much more out of your shop and accomplish more in it – no matter how little space you have.
Woodworking can be even more satisfying with the right setup
By strategically planning your shop design, developing a smooth workflow, and creating the right shop projects, it is possible to make your workshop organized, neat, and efficient.
Of course, it will require effort, but the steps to get there are ones that anyone can take…
And once you’ve taken them, you’ll be able to have experiences like:
- You step into your shop after a long day, and everything is organized and quiet. You look out over your tools and for the first time all day, you feel completely relaxed
- You’re inspired and begin to visualize a piece you want to make. You head to your empty workbench, instantly starting to map out the exact design you want and easily grabbing the tools you need to bring your vision to life
- You’re fully focused on the task at hand, moving seamlessly from one action to the next without tripping over cables or shuffling stacks of materials to get to a tool you need
- You have 45 minutes free, and instead of collapsing in front of the TV, you feel motivated to spend time in your shop, knowing you can accomplish something tangible in that time
- Your space is tidy and surprisingly easy to keep clear of sawdust without piles of junk on every surface (including the floor)
Having an organized woodworking sanctuary where you can always hit the ground running is attainable for everyone.
However, it does depend on you applying important underlying principles and picking the right shop projects. So, using everything I learned in four decades of woodworking, I created a guide to help you transform your shop.
Hi, I’m Steve Ramsey.
I’m a woodworker of over 40 years and the host of the popular YouTube channel Woodworking for Mere Mortals.
Since 1978 when I first learned to make candle holders in my dad’s basement workshop, I’ve developed my craft in some interesting spaces… like the roof of my apartment building in San Francisco. (I carried my handheld tools up there and dangled a super long extension cord through our kitchen window.)
I’ve had to solve just about every challenge that could come up in a home workshop. In fact, the whole idea behind Woodworking for Mere Mortals was to show people small-space solutions and how they could become masterful woodworkers without a big shop and all the bells and whistles.
And I guess that struck a chord with people, because I’m amazed to say that since I shared my first video in 2008, my channel has gained over a million subscribers!
I’m fortunate to be part of a community of people who, just like me, are woodworking out of their homes, and I’m inspired by the amazing progress they’ve all shared with me.
I’ve had the privilege of seeing thousands of viewers improve their woodworking by following along with my projects or taking my woodworking courses.
It’s incredibly gratifying to feel like I’ve made a difference and helped them grow in this craft.
But I also know how many woodworkers feel frustrated in their workshops…
You are not alone if you love woodworking but haven’t been able to set up your space in a way that benefits your productivity, workflow, and overall enjoyment of the craft.
I get questions from a lot of viewers about exactly how to improve their space. So I decided to create a comprehensive guide to designing the perfect workshop for any woodworker’s specific needs.
Drawing on four decades of experience, I created a detailed plan for making your shop setup organized, easy to navigate, and tailor-made for your space.
Introducing…
The Weekend Workshop is my comprehensive online course that shows you how to turn any space into a woodworking sanctuary.
In this course I will help you organize and redesign your workshop, turning even the smallest shared garage into a “dream shop” that you love spending time in.
As part of the course, you’ll also get 15 uniquely designed shop projects that will make it a breeze to stay organized and allow you to get the most out of every inch of space.
Create a shop you’ll love,
one weekend at a time
Since every woodworker’s needs are different, the course is entirely self-paced. From day one, you can pick and choose the projects that will have the biggest impact on your shop and build them in any order and at a pace that makes sense for you.
So if you want to make every improvement, build every project, and completely revamp your shop, this course provides the in-depth guidance you need to start from the ground up.
And if you just want to add a few shop projects to help you get organized and make the most of your space, you can choose from 15 well-designed pieces and build them in the order that best suits your needs.
No matter how you choose to go through it, the course provides a clear strategy that allows you to plan your progress around your schedule, and continue making improvements as your woodworking evolves.
What You’ll Learn Inside The Weekend Workshop
Part 1: Prepare Your Shop Space
In the first section of the course, you’ll learn how to make your shop more efficient and enjoyable to work in by making practical improvements to your space and strategically planning your setup for a smooth workflow.
Before You Begin:
I’ll walk you through important considerations to be aware of when selecting a space and setting up shop, how to make the most of the space you have, and ways to keep neighbors happy about having a woodworker living nearby.
Before You Begin:
Assessing Your Space:
Assessing Your Space:
In this video, I’ll show you how to make a shared space as user-friendly as possible, tips for making your shop brighter and warmer, and the best way to finish your shop walls and floor for a sturdy, polished feel.
Power and Lighting:
Here, you’ll find out how to take your shop time from good to excellent with DIY improvements like installing better lighting, plus the best options to choose and the tools and techniques you’ll need to install them.
Power and Lighting:
Planning Your Layout and Workflow:
Planning Your Layout and Workflow:
We’ll cover how to use my simple-but-stunningly-effective strategy to plan your setup and design a layout that will help you easily navigate your shop and develop an efficient workflow.
Part 2: Build Shop Projects to Optimize Your Space
Inside the course, you’ll have access to 15 shop projects designed specifically to make the most of every square inch of space.
My unique designs combine wall-mounted, collapsible, mobile, and multi-use elements to free up floor space while establishing effective organization and workflow. Click on the different projects below to find out more about them.
A special design that cuts down on clutter and ensures your storage rack doesn’t become a dumping ground for boxes of household junk. This project:
- Uses vertical space instead of taking up more floor space than needed
- Features strong yet shallow shelves that discourage clutter
- Keeps everything easy to see (and, therefore, easy to find!)
When you join The Weekend Workshop, you’ll also get
access to 3 bonuses:
Bonus #1: Dust Management Strategies that Work
Sawdust is a particularly challenging health hazard and nuisance of working in a home shop, and it’s something we all need to take seriously.
In this detailed video, I go over everything you need to know about air quality and how you can take your dust collection up a level to make your working environment as clean and safe as possible.
You’ll learn:
- Inexpensive steps you can take to make your shop cleaner and healthier
- How to reduce sawdust mess and stop it from building up again
- Devices to improve your dust extraction setup, and how to install them
Bonus #1: Dust Management Strategies that Work
Keep the air in your shop clean and healthy
Bonus #2: 27 Ways to Be More Productive in Your New Shop
I share my secrets for making the most of your time in the shop
Bonus #2: 27 Ways to Be More Productive in Your New Shop
For me, woodworking is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. Instead of “spending time” aimlessly flicking through your phone, it feels like you’re using every moment to do something meaningful.
And after 40 years in this craft, I’ve developed some habits that help me honor that feeling by being even more productive in my workshop. Drawing on my experience, I put together an 8-page guide full of specific ways you can get more out of your shop time, including tips on how to:
- Keep your craft feeling fresh and creative
- Successfully complete all your projects
- Keep your shop clean with my 5-step strategy
- Find the perfect balance between goal-setting and relaxing
- Know when it’s time to replace (or get rid of) tools and materials
By using these strategies and guidelines, you’ll be able to make your shop time more productive than ever before.
Bonus #3: Private Facebook Community Group
One of the best things about woodworking is the huge community that comes with it! So when you join The Weekend Workshop, you’ll get access to a members-only group of fellow woodworkers on Facebook.
Inside, you’ll be able to share your progress, get feedback on your shop projects, discuss woodworking techniques, and learn from the experience of hundreds of other woodworkers who, just like you, are improving their shops through the course.
Bonus #3: Private Facebook Community Group
Share your progress with your fellow woodworkers
I hope you can see how hard I’ve worked to make this course a comprehensive guide for anyone who needs help improving their workshop.
I’ve had a lot of time to experiment with how to optimize the organization and workflow of a shop, and I’ve developed a unique approach that shows you exactly how to create a space you’ll love working in.
Enroll in The Weekend Workshop:
When you enroll in the course, you get lifetime access to all materials and bonuses.
What’s included:
- Comprehensive videos on how to create the best possible shop setup with DIY lighting improvements, workflow planning, and more
- 15 unique shop projects with detailed plans and videos walking you through each step
- Bonus #1: Dust Management Strategies that Work
- Bonus #2: 27 Ways to Be More Productive in Your New Shop
- Bonus #3: Private Facebook Community
- Downloadable plans in US and metric measurements
- Extras like tool and material checklists, real-speed video segments, and countless tips on how to improve your woodworking technique, execute tricky cuts, and avoid common mistakes
- Plus, you’ll be backed by my 14-day money-back guarantee
To get instant access to the course, just click the button below:
1 PAYMENT OF $147
Plus, you’ll be backed by…
MY 14-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
I want to give you the chance to try The Weekend Workshop for yourself and start redesigning your shop to get the most out of every inch of space you have.
That’s why I’m giving you two full weeks to try it out.
If for any reason you find the course isn’t right for you, just email team@theweekendwoodworker.com within 14 days and I’ll give you an unconditional refund.
Plus, you’ll be backed by…
MY 14-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
What woodworkers are saying about The Weekend Workshop
“An excellent course! I wanted to improve my woodworking and build my confidence. Through Steve's detailed plans, videos, and PDF downloads, I accomplished my goals. And I now have a mobile & well organized garage-woodworking shop.”
- John W.
“This course has helped me completely transform my shop. I used to waste so much time looking for tools, and finding ways to contort myself through a poorly laid out floor plan. In a small shop, dedicated stations and permanent cabinet really hinder your possibilities. This course has helped me group my tools together based on their uses, as well as make literally everything in my shop mobile. If I need extra floor space, or need to establish a different workflow, it takes me minutes to rearrange my whole shop rather than hours. I find myself wasting much less time walking back and forth for tools, (the half lap handi-cart is a fantastic time saver) and more time working on projects. I am able to build faster, and clean up in record time thanks to this course. All of the videos are very informative, and easy to follow. Steve even includes mistakes he’s made to hopefully steer you clear of doing the same. Overall, I think this course is a great value. Thanks Steve!”
- John M.
“The best part about this course is not the cool shop furniture you can build, but the concepts regarding work flow and materials management...
When Steve offered his course I didn't just dive in and start building things. Instead, I listened to what he had to say about work flow and storage, and it made me look at my workspace in a totally different way...
Over all, the ideas in this course moved me from a bad place (my crammed closet of a garage workshop) into a good place: a serene, open space with plenty of room in which to start —-- and finish —-- anything.”
- Bonnie W.
“This course is outstanding, whether new to woodworking or if you just need to gain control of your workspace. Each project is a common sense step toward getting your shop tools and materials organized in the most useful manner. Steve Ramsey's ability to teach, while being entertaining and encouraging is a rarity. I really love how he always places the focus on the project, not the tools. He isn't promoting any particular brand of tools, and that moves him way up on the credibility scale. The Weekend Workshop is an online course I highly recommend, because it's exactly what it promotes itself to be, without trying to up-sell you on anything else.”
- Anthony B.
“I took up woodworking about a year ago, when I moved to a new house with some room in the garage for a workshop. Steve’s first course, the Weekend Woodworker got me off to a good start and I discovered I loved making things. The current Weekend Workshop course was perfect for me and really helped me make my shop cleaner, safer, more organized, and more productive. Each project is really well thought out with excellent fun videos, detailed easy to understand plans, and also builds up my woodworking skills. I was able to adapt the projects to best fit my needs and situation. Well worth the time and money invested.”
- Brian J.
“I am not "new" to woodworking but I am new to following someone's plans. Steve has written amazingly easy plans to follow. I love every single project in The Weekend Workshop. I find myself binge watching each video because they're informative and entertaining. My garage went from some place where we threw junk, to a wonderful sanctuary where everything is organized and has its own place. All of my tools are easily accessible during any specific project because of how thoroughly Steve planned this course... Because of this course, my children say "can we go out in your workshop today?" I have a workshop!! Never before have I had one. It was always the garage no one wanted to go in. Now it's a place for my family to be together and build together.”
- Jessica H.
“I have a medium-sized shed that I share with stored items. I used Steve’s space planning tips to improve my workflow and have built many of the projects, which better utilize the space that I do have.
Even if you already have a well thought out shop with plenty of space, the course is worth it just for the detailed videos and plans. Out of the 15 projects, one (or more) is surely going to be a useful addition to your shop.
Another thing is how flexible Steve’s plans can be. I easily adapted the flip top tool cart to accommodate my drill press.”
- Bruce R.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do I need for this course?
Inside the course, I’ll show you how to design and set up a workshop in virtually any space, whether it’s a garage shared with cars, a shed, a basement, or if you’re really lucky, a dedicated shop space.
You’ll learn practical ways to lay out your shop and improve your efficiency, and the projects are designed to be space-saving. In many cases, they’re on wheels so you can store them out of the way and roll them out when needed.
How much money will I need to spend?
This will depend in part on what tools you already have and how many projects you choose to make. I’ve designed the projects so they can be built using basic tools (the same ones that are needed for The Weekend Woodworker), and since they’re shop projects, I recommend using relatively inexpensive plywood and lumber. Since you’ll have lifetime access to the course, you can also build projects gradually to spread out the cost.
In terms of the shop improvements, you’ll learn a low-tech, cheap, and highly effective way to plan the best layout for your shop, and I’ll show you how to improve your space with budget-friendly, DIY upgrades like installing LED shop lighting and an air-quality system.
How long will the course take to complete?
The course is self-paced, so you can complete the projects at a pace and in an order that best suits your needs. Most of the shop projects and improvements can be completed in a day or two, but if you’re starting from scratch or totally redoing an existing workshop, it will take more time to get through than if you’re only adding shop furniture to your workshop.
Either way, you’ll have lifetime access to all of the course materials and bonuses, so you’ll be able to build projects as you need them and continue to make improvements as your shop – and woodworking – evolve.
How much experience do I need for this course?
This course was made as a guide for any woodworker who wants to improve their shop setup – from beginner to experienced. In the videos, I’ll show you step by step how to build the projects, and you’ll also receive plans and written instructions. None of the projects are difficult, but the more complex ones might take a little longer. With lifetime access to the course, you can go at a pace that makes sense for you.
The DIY shop improvements, like adding LED lighting and an air-quality system, don’t require advanced skills. However, if you’re at all uncertain about any electrical or plumbing work that needs to be done in your shop, I recommend that you hire a professional.
I’ve tried to reorganize my shop many times... How will this be different?
I understand how frustrating that cycle can be, and I designed this course specifically for woodworkers who have had similar experiences. The difference is that The Weekend Workshop addresses the underlying issues that prevent a shop from staying organized. So instead of endlessly “tidying up,” it teaches you the principles behind creating an effective shop setup that suits your needs and space, and it walks you through exactly how to create it. It also takes a comprehensive approach, so it addresses every aspect of your shop experience, from your lighting and power availability to your organization and workflow.
While it’s definitely possible to improve your shop without a guide, it’s hard to know what will actually help and what might just give you more grief down the line. The point of The Weekend Workshop is to remove the guesswork so you can know the time you’re putting in will make a lasting difference.
I’m setting up my shop for the first time. Can I take this course?
Of course! In some ways, it’s almost easier to start from scratch because any improvements to your walls, lighting, and other aspects of your shop that you choose to make are more easily done without shop projects in the way. Part of it is also about proactively planning your workflow and organization. So taking this course is a great way to intentionally and efficiently set up your shop and save yourself a lot of headaches (and wasted time) down the line.
What if I join and end up not liking the course?
The course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee so you can try the course out and see if it’s a good fit for your needs and your space. If for any reason after joining you feel the course isn’t right for you, just write to my team within those 14 days, and I’ll refund your course fee, unconditionally.
I have mobile and/or folding shop projects already. Can this still improve my shop?
Yes! The truth is that a lot of mobile and space-saving options are over-complicated and not as efficient as they could be. I’ve designed the course projects specifically as effective solutions for small or shared spaces, so they’re multi-use, collapsible, wall-mounted, or mobile, and many even combine more than one of those elements.
This course is also a comprehensive guide for woodworkers who want to improve their shop experience, so it has a lot of value even for people who might already have some solid, space-saving shop furniture.
My shop isn’t really that small. Can I benefit from this course?
Absolutely. The Weekend Workshop is especially great for improving small and shared shops because the projects are designed to be space-saving. But the philosophy behind the designs, and behind the course in general, will help make any workshop more organized and efficient (and keep it that way). That way, you can relax and focus on your work.
Which course should I take first: The Weekend Workshop, or The Weekend Woodworker?
It depends. If you have zero woodworking experience, I’d recommend starting with The Weekend Woodworker, since in it I explain more fundamentals. But, if you’ve already made your first project, The Weekend Workshop will be completely doable for you. Not only are shop projects ideal for learning without pressure, but once you’ve made a few of them your shop space will become a better space for continuing to hone your woodworking skills.
Can I purchase the course as a gift?
Yes! It works the following way: when you sign up, use the recipient's full name and email address to set up the account details, but enter your card details in the billing information section.
Alternatively, if you want to keep this as a surprise, you can enter the recipient's full name but use your email address. Once the recipient knows about the gift, they can email us and we can update the email address on the account.
How to know if this course
is right for you
You’ll know The Weekend Workshop is right for you if…
- Your workshop is a place where you go to get away from everything and unwind, and you know it would be even better if things were more organized and less cluttered…
- You wish everything had a logical place in your shop so you could find your tools and accessories when you need them and work with less frustration…
- You’ve ever thought “what’s the point?” about getting into your shop because you know setting up and cleaning up will leave you with only a few minutes to work…
- You wish your workflow was smoother so you could stay focused on the task at hand instead of constantly dealing with interruptions…
- You love having something tangible to show for your work in the shop, and you want to be more productive (and take on more challenges) with the limited time you have…
If you’re still wondering whether or not the course will be a good option for your space, don’t be afraid to try it out.
The course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so if in that time you decide it isn’t the right fit, just send an email to team@theweekendwoodworker.com and I’ll give you an unconditional refund.
But I’m confident you’ll see what a big impact this course can have on how you feel in your shop and what you can accomplish in it.
Join now and get instant access to::
- Comprehensive videos on how to create the best possible shop setup with DIY lighting improvements, workflow planning, and more
- 15 unique shop projects with detailed plans and videos walking you through each step
- Bonus #1: Dust Management Strategies that Work
- Bonus #2: 27 Ways to Be More Productive in Your New Shop
- Bonus #3: Private Facebook Community
- Downloadable plans in US and metric measurements
- Extras like tool and material checklists, real-speed video segments, and countless tips on how to improve your woodworking technique, execute tricky cuts, and avoid common mistakes
- Plus, you’ll be backed by my 14-day money-back guarantee
To get instant access to the course, just click the button below:
1 PAYMENT OF $147
Final Thoughts
I’ve been woodworking for a long time, but going through the process of redesigning my own shop has changed my experience in this craft.
I’m getting more enjoyment out of woodworking now than ever before.
Being in a more organized shop allows me to completely focus on creating something meaningful and tangible.
This process has helped me get back to the core reason why I love woodworking in the first place:
Because finishing projects and knowing you’ve made something that will last beyond you makes you feel on top of the world…
… and because just being in my shop every day, focused on my work and away from the hustle and bustle, is tremendously satisfying.
I hope you get to experience that for yourself, and I’d love to be your “virtual mentor” as you transform your shop – and your woodworking experience.
© The Weekend Woodworker - Made in partnership with Course Concierge.