I took TONS of pictures while I worked on the basement, however even I can’t make heads or tails of them. So I made 3 collage pictures of the main areas.
This is the corner where I kept all of my school stuff after I lost my job. This is where I will keep my “projects in waiting”. The after picture is not a true “after”. I had piled some things on the right side of the pallet that needed to go up the stairs. The stairs are to the right of this pallet. (I painted the walls after these pictures were taken)
This corner is the furthest corner when you come down the stairs. It is the storage section of the basement. (always has been, always will be)
This is the corner that you see directly ahead of you when you come down the stairs. You can barely see this workbench in the top left photo. The window to the right of the electrical panel box had black plastic over it in the before picture. It has been replaced. I used spray foam insulation that I still need to trim up—yeah right! It’s a basement workshop, I’ll probably never trim it up! 
The window in the top right photo had to be blocked up (middle right). The house has settled and a window wouldn’t fit in the opening. Right outside that window is the AC unit, so I really won’t miss having a window there. I do have two operable windows that will allow some daylight and fresh air! Bottom right is before I painted the walls. Bottom left – you can see I’ve hung a shop light and rescued a bar stool that is buried in the top left picture.
I had plastic and styrofoam covering these windows. I didn’t even know this one was broken. (note: the new fence that was replaced when the tree fell on the house) ohhh, I wonder if that is when the window was broken????
Projects in waiting corner. I found a bunch of heavy black plastic that we used years ago to transform the basement into a haunted house. I used it to make “walls” for the shop area. When I’m sanding and sawing, I don’t want that mess drifting over to the storage or laundry area. The stairs are just beyond that new shop light. I made a door “flap”.
You can see there are more plastic walls to the left of the workbench. If you look closely you can see I have a clock radio sitting on a paint bucket. I have some extra shelving units that will probably be placed against the wall. It’s still a work in progress for sure. It’s not a “studio” — it’s a basement workshop. I am able to utilize about 1/3 of the basement for my shop, another 1/3 is long term storage and Christmas decorations, and the remaining 1/3 is laundry and current storage (IE card table and chairs, wrapping paper, patio furniture cushions, small appliances used only a few times a year etc.)
My friend Cathy has been telling me for a couple of years that I needed to do this. Like I said, it’s not much, but it will allow me to work in the dead of winter, and the dog days of summer. I’ve already started on a project–
I am in the process of repurposing this desk. The pictures taken in the basement shop will most likely need to be taken with a flash.
I’m really excited to have a place to tinker!
gail
ps My friend Stephanie is trying to win a contest at Apartment Therapy. You do have to have an account, but it’s sooo easy to register. Could you please “favorite” her room? I would love for her to win! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Any space you can call your own and be able to enjoy what you do is a jewel in my book. Such hard work you did Gail, I don’t know if I would of been able to of stuck with it. Thank you sooooo much for posting about my contest entry, you surprised me with that, thank you!
The basement will give you lots of service this winter. You have done a great job of cleaning it up. Trish
Amazing what you did to the basement. I (we) have a pretty good working area downstairs, but the Mr dragged in his little dinghy 2 weeks ago after he stripped it. Since it is nearly as old as me, it needs some serious facelift and wrinkle-filler…Wonder if I ever get to DIY there again -ha, if not I just visit you ;o) Road trip!
Enjoy your new-found space,
Sue
Looks like you are well on your way! Funny about the window! So nice to have space of your own that you can work regardless of the weather!
Your basement looks like a lot of work.
Good luck with your desk project.
Dee
Your new follower
That will be a great place to work! You won’t have to worry if things get a little messy, and it’s out of the heat and the cold. The plastic is a really good idea.
Big space! Organizing is tiring but can be so rewarding. Can’t wait to see what you do with it and how the desk turns out.
Nice looking basement!
What a GOOD idea to put up that plastic!
What a great job you’ve done!! I love your work area…how nice!! Make sure you never ‘build’ anything you can’t get up and out of there now. I assume you have help carrying all the big items up and down the steps? I hope so anyway…be careful!
I registered and added Stephanie to my favorites..she is up to 318 now!! Let us know if she wins!
You’ve gone though a TON of work; no doubt! Hope you get lots of use out of your space this winter!
nice job!! all that hard work has paid off!
i think it is so great that you have that space to work! and it looks much neater now!
That’s so great! I am hoping to get a space to my own one day.
So that’s where all the magic happens! It’s great to have your very own space to tinker!
Gail your basement looks exactly like mine… spider webs, broken window and all, only I’m using old shower curtains to divide my spaces…
Susan
So THAT’S what it looks like! I’ve had a hard time trying to picture the space. Good idea to use the plastic to keep the dust out of the rest of the basement. I need to copy that idea! 😉 Look at all that room you have to work in. I’m thinking you’re going to spend a lot of time down there. Can’t wait to see what that desk makeover looks like!