Cool Weather Project - Work Shop

The basement is cluttered. Much of what clutters the basement is junk from my painting business days. Some tools just get old and useless. An "antique" power tool that was cheap to begin with is down right dangerous when it is old. Who wants to use an old, dull tool to do a project?







I have a Sears Craftsman rolling tool chest. It is a jumbled mess. I took all the stuff from the top right side drawer and put my lawn mower tune up tools there. That is stuff I will use.








Also in my basement is this storage shelf from my old paint shop. There are some potting supplies in the upper right section. The weed killing stuff and other gardening stuff is in the center left section.
The basement floor is rough and uneven. In order to set this shelf up I had to build forms and pour concrete "tiles" to make a level spot.







Becky liked the new counter top on the island so well she will probably replace the rest of the concrete counters. The rectangle piece above the dishwasher would make a very nice top for a work bench in the basement.
I will draw up a plan to create a work space in the basement. This isn't as easy as just moving the stuff around, as I learned when I relocated the shelf to the basement. At first blush the thing looks simple enough, but a functional work area creates requirements from the floor to ceiling.
The floor is very uneven and prone to dampness, so concrete tiles must be poured to make a new, level floor for the work station area the same elevation of the new floor under the shelving. One wall has two, new electrical outlets on it at the right height for a bench, so that may be the logical location for the station. However, overhead clearance is an issue there and there is no lighting there. Projects like this always go more smoothly when all of the obstacles are identified and overcome with clear, sound and rational plans.

Bottom line: Draft a plan with drawings to create a work station in the basement with the concrete counter as the table top. Use the craftsman chest for tool storage and construct shelving and cabinetry to meet the storage requirements. Make the floor high and dry and level. Make the place well lit with good lighting.