Setting Up a DIY Workshop on a Budget

You don't need a full shop full of professional equipment to tackle 90% of home projects. The trick is buying the right tools in the right order. Start with a reliable cordless drill, a circular saw, and a good orbital sander. Those three tools will carry you through most furniture, trim, and repair work for years.

Once you have the essentials, invest in storage before you buy more tools. A pegboard, a rolling tool chest, and a sturdy workbench will make whatever you already own dramatically more useful. Cluttered tools you can't find are wasted money.

Lighting is the most overlooked upgrade. A couple of bright LED shop lights mounted above the workbench will reduce eye strain and make every cut more accurate. Plan your electrical before you fill the space, and you'll thank yourself the first time you plug in a tool and trip a breaker.