Have you been cleaning up your act in your creative space? I have been working on the basement shop, but it’s not pretty. I mean the space is better, but it’s never going to look very nice because it is a workspace, ya know?
Let’s take a quick look at the BEFORE!
Messy Basement Shop
Before, the basement shop was so messy I couldn’t work on a project if I had to. You can see more ugly details in my post Clean Up Your Act Basement Shop Before.
Organize your wood shop
See? It’s still not pretty, but It’s manageable! You can see I’ve got two projects in the works (on the workbench) and another one (mirror) ready for my next day’s work.
*this post contains affiliate links, read more here*
I have easy diy sawhorses I use outside, but folding sawhorses that store on the workbench are more useful for the basement shop. I have one hanging on the end of the bench, and one around the corner on the side of the bench.
Shelving is a must
The workbench doesn’t fit all the way against the wall. I was afraid things would fall in between the void, so I used a small plastic shelf that was in another corner of the basement to hold my batteries and chargers. To the right you can see a pair of safety glasses hanging on the easy build diy storage shelf. I simply added a few screws here and there for hanging items.
Lulu Mae taking a nap on the cushioned work mat. 
More hanging items on the right side of the storage shelf. Paint brushes near the top and bar clamps hang a little lower. As I said, I just secured screws into the wood shelf to aid in hanging these items.
A shop vac helps keep things tidy
To help keep the shop tidy, I bought a new Rigid Shop Vac.
Here’s where I keep it real for you my friends. I am not finished with the shop.
There are still a few things out of place. As things happen, life got in the way and I was unable to completely finish the basement shop makeover
Things don’t always go as planned
Although I did clean out this corner, I had no choice but to put stuff back. It’s more orderly. It holds upcoming projects and the outdoor plants that must come indoors for the Winter. I’ve been using the tripod to hold my old phone to take pictures of in progress shots.
All in all I am soooo pleased with how the basement shop has come together. There is more space to work, and I’ve unearthed some fun project pieces to start on very soon.
Just a reminder about the wonderful prizes we have. To be eligible you need to upload your before photo here, and upload your after photo below. Thanks to our fabulous brands! Kreg , Homeright and RYOBI! (be sure to click the Ryobi link to learn all about their DREAM WORKSHOP)
I hope you have been hard at work cleaning up your act in your creative space. I can’t wait to see your new and improved spaces!
gail
Be sure to check out the creative spaces my friends have tackled!
Create And Babble tackles TWO spaces
Refresh Restyle is organizing her creative space
EDITED TO ADD: THE WINNERS ARE
Jennie says
February 7, 2018 at 2:29 pmCongratulations, Sandy, Donna and Lisa. Such great ideas from everyone. I’ve already started using my space. Thank you to all of the bloggers and companies that gave so many wonderful prizes. Especially Homeright for the paint sprayer that I won.
Jennie says
January 31, 2018 at 10:54 amThank you Gail for the proverbial kick in the bum. I’m so happy how everything actually fit from the big room to the tiny room. My pieces of furniture to refinish or reimagine are all on the side porch waiting. Hoping that my husband won’t need some of his power tools for work next week. First project is cabinet door chalkboard, and one to put some of my many rolling pins on. Oh, and I can now learn how to use my silhouette cameo.
Gail Wilson says
January 31, 2018 at 11:01 amYay! Your room looks awesome Jennie, and I LOVE that peg board. 🙂
I’m really going to make a big effort to keep both of my shop spaces tidy enough to work. I know I’ll enjoy my project time more if I don’t have to step over stuff. 😉
good luck with the contest!
gail
Jennie says
February 2, 2018 at 6:19 pmBy the way Gail, I want to build a dream work shop! Is that an absolutely fabulous space? Love the slat board for power tools.
Wendi@H2OBungalow says
January 31, 2018 at 5:38 amHey, you did a great job! I am beyond envious that you have a workbench with a place to work. Even though you didn’t complete as much as you wanted to, you still got a lot done. Just think how nice it will be to work down here when the weather is funky outside. I’m so glad I was motivated to clean up my space too!
Gail Wilson says
January 31, 2018 at 8:32 amThank you Wendi! The bench and the additional floor space will offer great options for many projects to come. 🙂
Eliz~ says
January 30, 2018 at 9:37 pmGal this is beautiful!
Eliz~ says
January 31, 2018 at 4:12 amUGH! I mis-spelled your name! Typos!! :o(
Gail Wilson says
January 31, 2018 at 8:32 amno worries!
Sandy says
January 30, 2018 at 10:01 amGreat job, Gail! Even though you didn’t quite finish, every little bit helps!
Bonnie Kleindl says
January 30, 2018 at 8:16 amAfter entering the contest, we clean out our Dump room, we decided to clean out and organize the room where I store my Christmas tots. I will be so happy when all this is done and My house will be Spring cleaned.
Gail Wilson says
January 30, 2018 at 6:39 pmYay Bonnie! So happy you joined our challenge. You may know–I cleaned out my garage months ago. I’m working so hard to keep it tidy enough to work. It’s sort of like the basement, not pretty-but functional.
gail
Jen says
January 30, 2018 at 6:30 amAs always, I love that you keep it real. It looks functional now, but I would say you succeeded. Congratulations!
Jen says
January 30, 2018 at 6:32 am(not but, so) It looks functional now, so I would say you succeeded. (That’s what I get for interneting without coffee first.) 🙂
Gail Wilson says
January 30, 2018 at 6:40 pmThanks so much! I’m all about keeping it real for sure. No matter how ugly it is.
gail