6 distractions worth having in your garage
Of all the tools people will tell you to add to your garage, anything that would derail you from efficient work would seem the least worthwhile. However, items that many would label as distractions can be very helpful in specific situations, and to ignore their benefits is to risk complicating your life.
Let’s take a look at six things that appear to be distractions but that deserve a place in your shop—even if you have to explain why to your friends.
Television
Let’s start with the ultimate distraction. When I’m cleaning, I’ll often put on the reply of an endurance race or a favorite concert, sideshows that I can tune in or out of without guilt. It also serves as a generously sized screen on which I can review my own race footage or watch a how-to video. Recently, the TV proved its worth when a friend was over with a motorcycle I’d never worked on before. We ended up watching a how-to video on the big screen and talking through the process together. Very helpful.
Fridge/freezer
A staple of the garage for those who spend hours belly-up to the workbench. Kept stocked with cold beverages, a fridge is always a threat to productivity; all it takes is one pop tab to turn a night of productive wrenching to one of bench racing. Sure, some folks can enjoy a cold beverage and notice little change to their productivity, but any change in judgement combined with a high-risk task is a recipe for trouble.
Imbibe wisely, and remember that thermal changes can be very helpful during assembly of some pieces: That fridge or freezer can provide the perfect temperature differential to make press-fits just a bit easier.
Computer
I know it’s not just me that spends the whole working day on a computer. Therefore the last thing I want to do after hours is peer at a screen. Heck, that’s why my cars have carburetors. I don’t want anything on the car that requires a screen.
Yet having a computer on the workbench helps me assemble a parts order while looking at the project, and review reference materials or how-to outlines easily. My personal favorite is using a full-sized computer screen to review photos of assemblies I took apart weeks or months ago to know I’m putting them back together correctly. It’s far easier to scroll photo albums on a computer than on my phone. Do I need the laptop all the time? Certainly not, but it can really make life easier.
Comfortable chair
Sometime you just need to take a mental break. Personally I find it helpful to continue looking at what I’m working on while I think through the process. Even reading shop manuals is more productive when the parts are in front of me. (Plus, I haven’t sold the missus on bringing engine blocks into the living room.)
A nice place to sit is a luxury worth having in your garage. This could mean a barcalounger, if you’ve got the space, or even a supportive, bench-height office chair to replace that battered, wooden kitchen stool. Anything that creates a comfortable opportunity to get off your feet for a bit.
Stereo
The right music can dial in your focus, while the wrong tunes can be attention-grabs that do nothing but sidetrack you. Background noise can help keep you maintain focus and motivation while plugging away on tedious projects, like parts cleaning or bodywork, so don’t be scared to have a nice stereo in your shop. Bonus points if you listen to era-correct music while working on your car. That’s just affordable time travel!
Friends
Having a “helping hand” can sometimes mean that even less work gets done, but such is the cost of camaraderie. The human connection is more important than the cars. Never feel bad if the conversation ends up being your focus, instead of the project. Our friends bring a different type of joy into our lives and it is not to be ignored.
Are these the only common garage distractions? Of course not. Let us know the worst offender in your shop in the comments below.
My shop contains everything but a computer. Does have fridge, stereo and TV [that never gets used] It houses my event tee shirt collection, last count about 170 hanging from the structure beams and walls, the shop is a steel building I had built about 25 years ago. Aside from all the projects I’ve done in my shop also has been host to many parties with up to 35 people. The roll-up door is opened, 3 of the 4 cars get moved out, tables get set up, lots of chairs, barbeques get fired up and the ribs, tri-tip and chicken get cooked. Plenty of adult libation is served. During covid my shop was the go-to place for small get-togethers for lunch since restaurants were take-out only. Some of the 1st timers were kind of dumbfounded that I would have a party in my garage, after all aren’t parties supposed to be in a house?
Dehumidifier, well insulated, wood stove & Sirius radio. No tv, computer, fridge or comfortable chair, just an old bar stool, I seem to get more work done, less distractions.
No T.V. or comfy chairs. I’m there to work. Heat and a lift are the two major game changers I added over the years. I don’t have room for decorations or any silly “man cave” nonsense. Tools, a stereo, and maybe a few cans of soda, that’s it. If you’re there to help, great! If you’re there to drink and hang around, do that somewhere else.
Never will I have a TV or refrigerator in my shop.Or a computer.Keep bottled water out there always.I do listen to a radio,unless I need to seriously problem solve then it is off.Sometimes I forget and don’t turn it back on for a couple of days.I am there to get things done.I do have a great A/C and heat system so I can work no matter what the weather.Fire extinguishers and firearms in case of emergency.What I don’t have is water or a floor drain,which are a must if I ever build another shop.Also would build it bigger,although right now I concentrate on one project at a time,and that is working very well.Sometimes I’m tied up for parts and I can get another car in there,but never would I have more than 2 at once going.I’ve seen that happen many times,nothing ever gets finished.
Biggest distraction in my garage is the twelve other projects stashed aside for when I have some time to get to them. Focus Luke. Complete this first you will.
I have all 6 plus a lift and a thing that goes bang…
I have a hopper and sink in mine – #1 only. previous owner envisioned converting the garage into an apartment
The computer is definitely helpful for having videos, pictures, instructions, etc. easily at reach. As for the stereo I just open the door to the Supra and enjoy the aftermarket stereo. No need for a separate Stereo for me, but the appeal is there for a good sound system.
We have an old flat screen TV in the shop that is rarely used. It is nice to have, if only to see some big playoff games or major event that would otherwise require being in the house to watch. Can’t get much done if your looking at the TV. A good radio station on our nice sound system is our main go to when working on any project.
Few years ago we drove 500 miles to visit family for Memorial Day and right as we arrived the brakes started squealing loudly.
The day after, he tells us to bring it back over and we can use his garage to fix it , We call and find the new pads , and when we arrive he has the floor Jack and stands waiting , then drags over the air hose and impact , and while I’m taking the wheels off, he grabs a cold soda from the fridge.
It’s hot so he rolls over a large fan , and then grabs a remote and says he thinks there’s a nascar race on ….
He also had a nice wood shop setup.
And this was in a normal neighborhood, he garage looked like a normal two car on the outside , but inside , one bay was about 40-45 feet deep
He had all kinds of storage hanging from the ceiling , kayaks canoes rafts etc and all the shelving ended about six inches off the floor , I asked about that and (they live in Florida) he said they had such a problem with snakes and the occasional small alligator getting in the garage and getting under stuff , that they had started keeping everything he at least six inches off the floor so they could see under it and use a fiberglass pole to whack the gators and snakes and encourage them to move elsewhere .
I truly believe that I could poll every single one of my Idaho friends, and not ONE would tell me that an essential shop/garage item would be a large fiberglass pole to whack snacks and alligators out from under benches and shelving! That there counts to me as an all-time winner in the “distraction” category! 😁
Hear ya, dub6. In Fargo, you see snakes and alligators in the garage, they’ll put you in rehab! I was stationed in Biloxi, MS, so can see how wildlife could invade, but not up here. I used to get mice in the winter, but the shop cats have put an end to that hassle.
Friends would be too distracting.
The tv also works well for connecting a borescope camera when a larger picture works better or streaming how to videos etc.
All good information.
My shop has a bar where Thursday night friends congregate. Everyone is welcome at least once!
A small 1940’s bar fridge… holds several bottles & cans of your selected beverages. Good friends (on occasion), NO TV, NO COMPUTER for sure, and (1) FOLD UP chair… typically, everybody sits on roller-stools. Interestingly, I have a ham radio HF transceiver in mine as well as the local FD radio. There’s also a cigar humidor for my “special” friends, when we sit about and tell (V/N) war stories in front of the heater.
Hi Tom,
…a humidor…I HAVE to get a humidor for my “special” friends. …good call…
(& welcome home).
I forgot… there’s a Taurus Judge w/3″ .410 shells (we get rattlesnakes) and SEVERAL ABC and CO2 fire extinguishers (I was in the fire safety business).. NOTE: get ONLY the 5lb (or bigger) ABC extinguishers for your garage; the 2.5 lb ones are TOO SMALL!