No Garage? No Problem! How to Set Up a Woodworking Space in Small Places

Lauren Twitchell
Jul 17
5 min read

No Garage? No Problem!

How to Set Up a Woodworking Space in Small Places

So, you want to start woodworking—but you don't have a garage, a backyard shed, or a Pinterest-worthy workshop.

First of all, let's clear this up:

You do not need a huge space to build amazing things.

At Third Shift Crafts, we're all about making woodworking more accessible—especially for women just getting started. Whether you live in a cozy apartment or a small rental or don't have a dedicated garage, you can still create.

Some of the most creative, resourceful, and downright inspiring makers got their start in:

Tiny apartments
Kitchens
Balconies or patios
Laundry rooms
Shared spaces
Corners of living rooms or spare bedrooms

The secret isn't in the size of your space—it's in the intention you bring to it.

If you've been waiting for "someday" to start woodworking, this is your sign:

Today works just fine.

Step 1: Define Your Workspace

Let's start with what you've got—not what you wish you had.

You don't need an entire room. You don't even need a whole wall. Some beginner woodworkers have created incredible pieces using nothing more than a 3' x 5' area of floor space.

Here are a few innovative and simple workspace ideas:

A folding table in the laundry room
A hallway nook with a sturdy shelf
A collapsible workbench you set up and take down as needed
A rolling cart or tool chest that moves with you from room to room
A patio table or balcony set up (weather permitting!)

Choose a spot that's:

Flat and level (for safety and accuracy)
Well-ventilated (especially for sanding or applying finishes)
Close to power outlets (or be ready with an extension cord)
Not too precious (sawdust will happen!)

If you're in a shared space (like a kitchen or living room), designate a corner or cabinet where your tools and materials can live when not in use. Even a plastic bin tucked under the couch can hold more supplies than you think.

Step 2: Choose Space-Smart Tools

When you're working in a small space, every square inch counts. That's why it's helpful to invest in tools that are:

Multi-functional
Compact
Easy to store or hang

There is no need to run out and buy a table saw or giant miter station. With just a few thoughtful tools, you can build nearly anything a beginner could dream up—from trays to shelves to small furniture pieces.

Must-Have Beginner Tools (Small-Space Friendly)

Cordless drill/driver – Your best friend for screws, pilot holes, and more
Circular saw – Cuts straight lines in boards of nearly any length
(or a handsaw if you're working quietly indoors)
Clamps – You can never have too many! Even a few spring clamps go a long way
Folding sawhorses or portable workbench – Sets up in seconds, tucks away in closets
Orbital sander (or sanding blocks) – Smooths surfaces and prepares wood for finishing
Measuring tape + speed square – The backbone of accurate cuts

Nice-to-Have Additions:

Jigsaw – Great for curves, cutouts, or tight spots
Shop vac or mini dust collection system – Keeps the mess in check
Tool bag or stackable storage bins – Keeps your gear organized
Pegboard or wall hooks – Gets tools off the floor and within reach

Don't be afraid to build your tool collection slowly. You can start with just a few essentials and add more as you gain experience and confidence.

Step 3: Organize and Control the Chaos

Small spaces get messy fast. But a bit of intentional organization can make a huge difference in how often (and how joyfully) you use your workspace.

Try these small-space storage strategies:

Clear bins with labels for things like screws, drill bits, sanding pads, brushes, and glue
Pegboards or magnetic strips to hang your most-used tools on the wall
Mount your drill and charger so they're not cluttering your table
Drawer dividers or tackle boxes for organizing hardware
Back-of-the-door organizers (yes, like the ones for shoes!) for paint, finish, or small hand tools

The goal here is not perfection. It's function. You want to be able to grab what you need, when you need it—and know where to return it when you're done.

Quick Clean-Up Kit:

Keep a small bin with a few basics:

Mini broom and dustpan
Microfiber cloth
Small shop vac or handheld vacuum
Rag or towel for spills
Trash bag or scrap bin

When clean-up is fast and easy, you'll be more likely to jump into quick projects—without the dread of post-sawdust chaos.

Step 4: Make It Flexible

One of the superpowers of small-space woodworkers? Adaptability.

When your workspace needs to double as your dining room, home office, or laundry area, flexibility is key. That's where modular, mobile setups shine.

Innovative ideas for flexible setups:

Rolling carts – Store your tools, move them where you need them, tuck them away when done
Foldable workbenches or tables – Set up when it's project time, collapse when it's dinner time
Cutting boards or mats – Protect surfaces when you're working on a kitchen counter or floor
Wall-mounted shelves or organizers – Utilize vertical space to store materials
Hooks, buckets, or tote bags – Keep essentials portable and within reach

Bonus: you'll get good at designing for efficiency, which pays off in every future build.

Step 5: Own It—This Is Your Workshop

This part is often overlooked, but it might be the most important.

Even if your workspace is tiny, temporary, or tucked in a corner—it matters. It's your creative zone.

So take ownership of it. Add a small lamp. Hang a sign. Play your favorite playlist. Keep a photo or quote nearby that reminds you why you're building in the first place.

This isn't "just" a spare room or a rented patio.

This is your workshop.

And when you treat it like a place that deserves your time, energy, and creativity—you'll want to spend more time there.

Third Shift Reminder: Small Space. Big Dreams.

Let's repeat it louder for the people in the back:

You don't need a garage to build.

You don't need a shed to start creating.

You don't need a "perfect" setup to do incredible work.

You need a place to put your tools.

You need a surface to build on.

You need a willingness to start.

That's it.

Big dreams are often born on small tables.

Your first project might happen on a folding card table in your kitchen, a scrap of plywood over sawhorses in the hallway, or a patio table under string lights.

That doesn't make it any less real.

It makes it even more powerful—because you're choosing to build anyway.

You're choosing creativity over comparison.

You're choosing action over excuses.

You're choosing sawdust over self-doubt.

And if no one has told you this yet today:

We're proud of you.

Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are

If you're dreaming about building but feel limited by your space, this is your permission slip:

Start where you are. With what you have. As you are.

Your small space might be the birthplace of something incredible.

At Third Shift Crafts, we're not here to gatekeep woodworking or sell you a dream of perfection. We're here to hand you the drill, cheer you on, and say:

You belong in the workshop.

Even if it's just a 3' x 5' corner of your world.

✨ Ready to set up your own small-space workshop?

Visit ThirdShiftCrafts.com for beginner project ideas, downloadable plans, and resources made just for women who build.

Need help choosing tools or setting up your space? Reach out—we're always happy to help you get started.