Space-Saving Tool Station & Work Table.

Welcome dear reader.

The Project:

Tool collections have a peculiar habit of breeding when you’re not looking. One moment you own a drill and a screwdriver, the next you’re playing cupboard Tetris with chargers, cases, and tools you definitely use all the time. This project began at precisely that point when the cupboard I was using reached maximum capacity and began to quietly judge me every time I opened it.

The design for my new tool station focuses on organisation and efficiency. It houses matching tool boxes for a clean, uniform look, includes a built-in rechargeable battery charging area, and keeps frequently used tools visible and ready to grab. No more hunting for chargers or discovering dead batteries just as you’re ready to start a job.

The Inspiration:

The inspiration for this space-saving tool station came from two simple needs... reclaiming space and improving access. Digging through stacked boxes to find one specific tool is a fantastic way to waste time and patience, so the goal here was to create a dedicated station where everything has a place and can be reached quickly, without dismantling half the setup first.

Living in my apartment meant I had limited space but I did have an area that wasn't being utilised very well and this was the ideal space to locate the tool station.

The Build:

As for the build itself, it’s intentionally straightforward and cost-effective. It uses common materials, basic tools, and simple construction methods, making it accessible without requiring a full workshop or a heroic budget. I also purchased some cheap aluminum cases to put a large amount of my tools in to keep them organised and have a matching look. The end result is a compact, well-organised tool station that saves space, saves time, and gave me an empty cupboard I could better use for something else.

Without further ado, lets get to it.

Tools:

1. Jigsaw
2. Circular saw
3. Hacksaw
4. Tape measure
5. Pencil
6. Straight edge
7. Nail gun
8. Hot glue gun
9. Wood clamps
10. Drills with screwdriver, wood and masonry drill bits

Materials:

1. Sheets of MDF or Plywood
2. Wood battens for framework
3. Wood screws
4. Nuts/washers/bolts
5. Tacks/nails for nail gun
6. Good quality hot glue
7. Paint, paint brushes and roller, and optional vinyl wrap
8. Used 2 meter high bookcase
9. Swivel caster wheels
10. Hinges
11. Used folding table
12. LED strip lights
13. OPTIONAL: Label maker with additional adhesive label reel

The design is built around a vertical, space-efficient layout that makes the most of a small footprint. At the base is a sturdy five shelf unit with a top prep area that neatly houses the matching tool cases. Stacking storage upward rather than outward keeps everything compact while still allowing each case to be identified and removed easily without disturbing the rest of the setup. I designed it so it could house the cases three wide and two deep. On top of this sits a second four shelf shelving unit (I'm counting the top panel of the upper shelf unit as a shelf), used for lighter items, consumables, and tools, stored in removable trays and that benefit from being visible at a glance.

To keep the station genuinely useful rather than just tidy, a folding work table is integrated into the design beside the station that has tape, clamps and vinyl wrap storage on the table unit. When folded down, it provides a solid, convenient surface for quick jobs, repairs, or assembly work, then folds away again to preserve space when not in use. A dedicated multi-charger battery charging station is built in on the lower shelf, allowing multiple rechargeable batteries to live in one place and stay topped up, eliminating the familiar "everything’s charged except the one you need" scenario.

Also included is a zip tie dispenser, a screwdriver and Allen key/wrench storage panel, and a small adjustable vice attached to the tool station. The matching aluminum cases I bulk purchased from a local warehouse, for both strength and aesthetic reasons. They came with foam padding inside which could be picked and pulled apart the the shape of what would be inside.

Organisation continues on the sides, with a dedicated panel for spanners/wrenches which is labeled and keeps them clearly visible and easy to grab without rummaging through drawers. LED lighting is fitted to ensure the entire station is well lit, improving visibility and making it easier to find tools quickly, and along with an adjustable work light that either shines light on the station work area or onto the work table. Overall, the design prioritises accessibility, order, and efficiency, turning an unused space and a once chaotic tool collection into a well lit, well organised, and tidy looking workspace.

The base of the unit had to be custom measured and made to fit in the area it was going, as it had to fit around a boxed in soil pipe, fit between a wall and a hidden door, and the width to fit from the back wall to a bathroom door frame. The back half or the base is situated on top of the soil pipe box and rests against the walls. the top shelving sits on top of the base and is anchored to the wall with a single rawl plug and screw so the whole tool station is secured, but easily removable should I ever need to gain access to the soil pipes. The work table hides an adjoining room door that is rarely used, so the table unit is fitted to a small false wall partition with hinges, and is on caster wheels so the the table unit can be opened to access the door if needed.

As this is a custom sized unit to fit me needs, I won't give any measurements as you may require something different to suit your requirements, but if you're interested, the measurements I used are in the last image, above. Also because of the custom size/shape, instead of breaking down the steps into stages, instead I will describe 'how' I made mine so you can follow the same order or operation and assembly.

The folding work table was the first part of the tool station I made as this would dictate how much room I would have for the station itself. Redecorating the room was the next project, in fact making the tool station was the inspiration to redecorate. So before I started, I laid a new floor and put a fresh coat of paint on the door, even though it would be hidden most of the time.

The table is positioned beside the tool station and is built almost entirely from reclaimed items... a used 2 meter high bookcase and a child sized folding ping pong table. A small partition wall is first constructed to match the width of the bookcase, allowing it to sit neatly in place, with a frame made from lengths of 33mm x 61mm wood battens, screwed to the wall and floor then covered with MDF sheet panels nailed into place.

The shelves are removed from the bookcase, swivel caster wheels are fitted to the bottom, and the unit is then hinged to the partition wall. This clever setup allows the bookcase to swing open and closed, neatly disguising a rarely used door that leads to an adjoining room while still keeping it fully accessible when needed.

The width of the ping pong table fits neatly inside the inner side of the bookcase, making it an ideal candidate for conversion. One set of folding legs is removed, and the table is measured, marked, and drilled with two holes on each side, matching corresponding holes in the bookcase. The table is then bolted to the bookcase using bolts, washers, and locking nuts. In its compact mode, one folded half of the table acts as a leg panel, creating a short, space-saving work surface. When more space is needed, the table can be fully unfolded and the remaining set of folding legs deployed, instantly converting it into a longer work area.

A couple of metal arm that was part of the table were repurposed and screwed to each side of the table and a couple of screws added so the metal arm could hook onto the screws to secure the folded down table leg panel so the table wouldn't collapse incase the leg panel was accidently kicked.

To secure the table when not in use, a locking bolt is fitted to the inside of the bookcase, with a corresponding hole drilled in the side of the table to hold it firmly in the closed position. Storage is added using the original shelves... one is repurposed to hold rolls of vinyl wrap at the bottom, another is fitted with MDF dividers for tape storage, and a small protruding shelf is added at the top of the bookcase to store clamps within easy reach. No painting is required, as the bookcase was already white, but the table itself was wrapped in thick white vinyl wrap, with a strip of the metallic blue vinyl run down the centre to tie it visually to the tool station. I originally did the stripe in green Vinyl wrap before I decided to go with the blue. The green wrap was easy enough to remove, just go slow and steady.

As a final touch, a magnetic latch is fitted between the outer side of the bookcase and the original door frame, allowing the unit to sit flush and hide the door, while still being easily opened from either side. Practical, adaptable, and slightly devious exactly as a folding work table should be.

The build begins by measuring the available space and constructing a simple timber frame for the base unit using 33mm x 61mm wood battens to fit it precisely. Accuracy here is important, as the frame dictates the overall size and stability of the unit. For the height, the thickness of the tool cases and thickness of the shelves were taken into account with a little room to spare. The timber lengths are cut to form a rectangular base and vertical uprights with a cut out shape to go around the upright soil pipe box, then fixed together to create a rigid structure with wood glue and screws. This frame provides the backbone of the tool station and ensures everything that follows lines up properly and doesn’t develop a mysterious lean over time.

Once the main frame is made up, some more wood battens are added to support the shelves. These are fixed horizontally with wood glue and screws at measured intervals, creating ledges for the lower five shelves. Care is taken to keep the battens level with a spirit level, and evenly spaced so the shelves sit flat and the tool cases slide in and out smoothly.

With the frame and shelf supports complete, MDF panels are cut to size and fitted to form the back, sides, and top of the unit. The back panel adds significant rigidity to the structure, while the side and top panels help enclose the station and give it a clean, finished appearance. The MDF is fixed securely to the frame with wood glue and using the nail gun creating a solid, enclosed unit ready for shelving, accessories, and finishing touches. The shelves are then measured and cut with the circular saw, the fitted into place, starting with the bottom shelf first, working upwards.

To make the upper shelves, begin by measuring the available space and cut to size for the four shelves, the back panel, two side panels, and the top, then fix securely together with wood glue and nails with the nail gun. The back panel adds rigidity, while the side panels and top help enclose the structure and give it a clean, finished look, resulting in a sturdy four-shelf unit that is deep enough to hold the plastic storage tubs.

At this stage, the project starts to look less like a pile of timber and more like an actual piece of workshop furniture—which is always a reassuring moment.

With both the base unit and the upper shelving unit fully assembled, the next step is painting. All surfaces are lightly sanded first to remove rough edges and help the paint adhere properly, paying particular attention to MDF edges, which have a habit of soaking up paint like a sponge. A coat of white wood paint is applied evenly using a roller for the larger flat areas and a brush for corners and joints (cutting in), keeping the finish clean and consistent. Once dry, a second coat is added then a third and final coat to improve durability and give the units a bright, tidy appearance that reflects light and makes the whole station feel more organised and less workshop dungeon.

After the paint has fully cured, the base unit is moved into its final position and checked for level. The upper shelving unit is then carefully lifted onto the top of the base, aligned at the back, and fixed in place. This was secured to the rear wall using a single rawl plug and screw through the back panel, preventing any forward movement and adding peace of mind. with the shelves in place, I drilled a hole through the back panel and into the wall to make a mark. The shelves were removed, a masonry drill bit used to drill the hole in the wall, inserted a rawl plug, refitted the shelves and screwed in.

It’s a small step, but an important one because well organised tools are impressive, and well organised tools that don’t fall over are even better, and also the fact that I have a cat who likes to climb on things, the little darling.

Fitting the LED lighting begins with the base unit, where five lengths of white LED strip are installed, one for each shelf level. The strips are mounted discreetly behind the shelf supports so the light washes down onto the shelves without the LEDs themselves being visible, keeping the effect clean rather than “electrical experiment”. Each strip is connected using LED extension cables, allowing the wiring to run neatly along the frame without sharp bends or exposed joins. Care is taken to test each strip as it’s fitted, because discovering a loose connection later is an exercise in unnecessary patience.

The upper shelving unit uses a slightly different approach, with four white LED strip panels fitted beneath the shelves to provide even, direct lighting. These panels are also connected together using LED extension cables, creating a single, continuous lighting circuit across the unit. All power and extension cables are carefully traced along the frame and hidden behind panels or battens where possible, keeping everything tidy and out of sight. The cables are then routed to a wall plug extension box, leaving the entire station well lit, practical, and far more impressive than a torch balanced on a toolbox lid.

A further adjustable/flexible LED work light would be added at the end of the build that would light up the prep area on the tool station and the work table.

The spanner/wrench storage area is built around a single MDF panel, designed to keep everything visible, separated, and immediately accessible. A piece of MDF sheet mas measured and cut, then the spanners are laid out on the MDF panel to mark the exact spacing needed and also divided into four horizontal rows... two for standard spanners and two for ratchet spanners. Both horizontal and vertical measurements were measured ensuring each spanner has just enough room without wasted gaps or awkward overlaps. Wooden 'D' shaped profile strips are glued directly onto the panel vertically to act as dividers to separate the spanners. These were also added to top the spanners rattling against each other if my ever curious and playful cat ever decided to play with them, as she eventually would.

Once the layout is finalised and dividers fitted, the panel is painted white to match the rest of the tool station, keeping the overall look clean and consistent. Screws are then added along each row and used as hanging hooks, allowing the spanners to sit securely while still being easy to lift off and return. To finish the panel visually, four narrow strips cut from leftover MDF are wrapped in metallic blue vinyl wrap and fixed across the board, adding to the overall colour scheme.

The completed board is then screwed to the side of the workstation, and the spanners are fitted into place. As a final touch, a label maker is used to create size labels for each spanner, which are applied to the vinyl-wrapped strips below their corresponding tools. The result is a neatly organised, clearly labelled spanner station that eliminates rummaging entirely, and makes it painfully obvious when one hasn’t been put back, especially with my eyesight.

The battery charging station is constructed entirely from MDF, using a simple box style design made up of a base, four sides, and internal dividers to separate each charger. When measuring and planning the layout, careful consideration is given to where the power cables exit each charger, as well as allowing sufficient clearance to easily attach and remove batteries without knocking neighbouring units and being restricted by the shelving unit back panel. This upfront planning keeps the station functional rather than frustrating, which is an often overlooked but crucial detail. Small scrap pieces of wood were fitted behind each charger to stop them sliding back and fourth the attaching/removing batteries. These were not fixed down incase I ever need to change the chargers for another size/shape.

Once assembled, the charging station is painted white to match the rest of the tool station. A narrow MDF strip is then measured, cut, wrapped in metallic blue vinyl wrap, and nailed to the front edge of the station to add visual contrast and clearly define the charging area. Labels are printed and applied to mark the type and voltage of each charger, removing any guesswork and ensuring the correct batteries always return to the correct slot.

Power is supplied via a mains extension lead/power strip with individual on/off switches, which is fixed securely to the back of the bottom shelf of the upper shelving unit using screws. Excess power cables are neatly hidden behind the charging station to keep the area tidy and unobstructed. Extra batteries are stored on the shelf directly above, keeping everything related to charging in one organised zone and making the whole process efficient, safe, and refreshingly drama-free.

For tool storage, a bulk purchase of aluminum tool cases was made to house tools and equipment in a way that is both practical and visually consistent. The design inspiration was from my silver/blue Dremel Platinum case, so the decision was driven partly by aesthetics, uniform cases always look intentional, and partly by durability as the aluminum construction provides solid protection against knocks, dust, and general workshop abuse. When selecting the cases, careful thought was given to sizing, not only to ensure they would fit neatly into the tool station, three wide and two back, but also to make sure each case comfortably accommodated the tools it was intended to store.

A key consideration here is to choose cases that are slightly larger than the tools themselves, rather than aiming for a perfect fit. This avoids everything being a tight squeeze and leaves room for additional accessories or future tool upgrades, because tools, much like collections, have a habit of expanding. To tie the cases into the overall design, the tops and bottoms were wrapped in the same metallic blue vinyl used elsewhere on the station, creating a consistent visual theme throughout.

Finally, the supplied foam inserts were cut/plucked/pullet out to suit each tool and piece of equipment, allowing everything to sit snugly and securely inside its case. This not only prevents movement during storage or transport but also makes it immediately obvious when something is missing. The end result is a set of robust, well-organised, and visually cohesive tool cases that look as good stored on the shelves as they are practical in use.

The final stage of the build is all about adding the smaller features that turn the tool station into a genuinely usable workspace. A small vice is fitted to the prep area, providing a convenient clamping point for light work without needing to rearrange the entire station.

Nearby, a custom zip tie dispenser is made using plastic tubing, cut to size with a hacksaw and hot glued together, Long ones glued side by side, the shrter ones the same, and the the shorter row glued to the the taller ones, before being wrapped in metallic blue vinyl. An MDF stand is then constructed with a base and back panel, and the tubes are hot glued to this bracket. The finished dispenser is drilled and secured to the wall next to the tool station using a masonry drill bit and two rawl plugs and screws, before being filled with different sizes of zip ties and immediately proving its worth.

Next, a dedicated screwdriver and Allen key holder is made from an MDF back panel and four MDF shelves. Three of the shelves have different sized holes drilled into them to suit the thickness of the corresponding tools, while all four shelves are attached to the back panel using 'L' shaped brackets. To improve access, the three lower shelves are angled by carefully pressing down on each shelf by hand, gradually bending the metal brackets until a comfortable angle is achieved. The completed holder is then screwed to the downward soil pipe box next to the upper shelves of the tool station, keeping frequently used tools visible and easy to grab.

Storage tubs are added to the upper shelving unit as the next job. These come with their own plastic back boards which the tubs hook onto. The back boards are cut to size, screwed to the rear of the upper shelving unit, and the tubs are hung in place.

Another little job I did was to screw in a couple of hooks on the table just below the clamp storage to hang a clothes air dryer when not in use.

The final task is populating the tool station, filling it with the aluminum tool cases to the lower section, and the lighter items, consumables, and everyday tools to the upper shelves and tubs. Labels are printed and attached to all of the plastic storage tubs as they are filled, making everything easy to find and return. This step is easily the most satisfying part of the build, marking the moment when the once chaotic tool collection finally settles into a well organised, purpose built home that I couldn't be happier with.

This project started as a simple attempt to regain some space while utilising some unused space, and quickly grew into a fully integrated, highly organised tool station that is practical, adaptable, and surprisingly satisfying to use. By designing everything around ease of access, clear organisation, and efficient use of vertical space, the result is a workstation where every tool has a home, batteries are always charged, and nothing requires a scavenger hunt to locate like it did before.

A key success of the build is how cost effective it turned out. By using MDF, reclaimed furniture, and off the shelf components, my tool station delivers a professional, cohesive look without a professional sized budget. The consistent use of white finishes and metallic blue accents ties everything together visually, while useful additions like lighting, labelling, and modular storage make the space genuinely pleasant to work in, something that was missing beforehand.

Most importantly, the tool station is designed to evolve. There’s room for new tools, accessories, and future improvements without needing to start from scratch. Where everything was once stored in a crowded cupboard is now in a well lit, efficient workspace that encourages tools to be put back where they belong, a small miracle in itself. All in all, a thoroughly civilised upgrade, and one that proves organisation isn’t about having fewer tools… just a better place to keep them.

I hope that you found this Instructable helpful and informative, and if you have any questions, thoughts or if you make your own tool station, please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading, and happy making.