Creative DIY Workbench Tutorial

It's easy and inexpensive to install your own work surface for gardening, tinkering, and more. Take advantage of spare corners or roomier corners with these four DIY workbench ideas.

Make a Rustic Potting Bench from Wood Pallets

Made from just two pallets, the materials for this rustic potting bench come together quickly. It has ample work surface and storage on nearly every side for a low-key, easily accessible DIY workbench.

Convert a Cabinet into a Work Center

A cast-off furniture piece gets new life as a charming, workaday station with plenty of storage options.

Cheery colors and a tile work surface dress up the surfaces, making this piece design- and work-smart. Doors, drawers, and shelves offer different-size spaces for all sorts of items. In addition, nearly any type of armoirelike furniture (including a base and a hutch, or a base and shelves) works for this DIY workbench.

Enlist Castoff Kitchen Cabinets for a Workbench Nook

Put a few budget-smart, off-the-shelf hardware store supplies together for a nook that has surface space as well as hooks, shelves, cabinets, hanging spots, and more.

There's lots of flexible storage as well as enclosed spots to keep less-tidy items out of view. Plus, the project comes together in just a few hours.

Try a Fold-Down Work Shelf in Tight Spaces

You can never really have too much storage or work space, and this tidy, compact garden workshelf, which folds down to stay out of the way, offers both. The shelf is supported by small corbels on hinges.

You may have some cast-off materials in your garage or basement that can be repurposed for this shelf. If not, the items you'll need -- corbels, hinges, a surface -- can be had new from a hardware store or vintage from your favorite flea market.