A garden shed not only offers a place for spot; it also provides a shelter where you can perform some basic maintenance. Whether you need to sharpen a blade or patch a bike tire, it’s great to have that space. But to work effectively, you need a workbench to hold your materials.
A quality workbench isn’t something you might not think about much, but you notice when it’s not there or even if it’s not such a good piece. It comes in handy for so many activities, from storage to repairs. And yet, all it has to do is sit there and hold up whatever we place on it.
Ok, there’s a little more to it than that, and we’re going to look at all those factors here and then pass on a few recommended products. We’re going to try to take into account the needs the average homeowner has and the space available in their shed.
Let’s start, though, by considering how you might choose to use it. Whether your shed is custom-built or prefab, these qualities will hold true. But if you build your own shed, you might want to have the workbench built into it!
What You Can Do With A Shed Workbench
Why would you even add a workbench to your shed? The reality is, you may not need one. If you have one nearby – say, your garage for instance – you might just pass on another in the shed. Odds are, you’ll be able to get a bigger and better one into the garage, anyway!
But if you like the extra convenience, or don’t have easy access to another work area, it can be a true blessing.
A shed usually doesn’t offer a lot of space to run power tools or work on large projects. But here are some of the tasks you might do. We’re sure there are many more!
- Cleaning tools and other equipment
- Sharpening tool blades
- Repairing garden fencing
- Cutting landscaping netting
- Repotting plants
- Filling insecticide sprayers
- Building or repairing birdhouses
- Sorting seeds
- Storing small items in cases
The list could go on and on!
What To Consider In A Shed Workbench
Of course, there is a lot to think about when making your choice. Having a general idea of how you want to use it can help in your choice, but flexibility is also key.
Before all else, you want to be sure that the workbench will fit in your shed and still allow space for whatever you want to store there. You won’t be able to get a full-sized, fully-equipped bench in there, of course! But one that’s three to four feet long and 18 inches deep can work well and still leave plenty of space for you to work at it and not trip over your tools.
Also, consider the height of the work surface. Make sure it’s a comfortable height for you to work at. Usually, if you’re comfortable at your kitchen countertops, that’s also a good height for a workbench.
As usual, you should also consider the materials the bench is made of. Steel, wood, and laminate are common. The main concerns here are that your shed is (probably) not climate-controlled. That means it gets more humid, hotter, and colder than inside the house. Steel is normally your best choice, although other materials can hold up fine if they’re suited for outdoor use.
You may want to consider weight capacity, also. However, we don’t expect that most people will be working with heavy equipment on the small benches that will fit in a shed. Nor is a bench the best option for storage. But if you do think you’ll place weighty machines or other items on it, be sure to take that into account!
The surface of the workbench is particularly important, but your choice depends largely on how you’ll use it. If you expect to do anything like welding or soldering, stainless steel is a good choice. Wood – particularly butcher block – is great for most other activities, though. Laminate is the least expensive option, and it’s fine if all you’ll be using the surface for is potting plants or similar “non-impact” activities.
You might want to look for a workbench that has built-in electrical outlets (if your shed has electricity, of course!). You simply have to plug the bench itself in and the current runs to a mounted power strip or outlet built into the surface or side. It’s not common to find these, but they’re out there!
Finally, a portable workbench can come in handy sometimes. You may want to be able to fold it up when not in use. Some can’t be folded but do have casters. Of course, it can be tough to move them across the lawn, but there may be times you want to slide it out onto the patio or stuff it further back into a corner of the shed.
Our Top Picks In Shed Workbenches
Let’s have a look now at some of your best options when it comes to workbenches suitable for your shed.
Husky 4 ft. Solid Wood Top Workbench
- Width: 48 inches
- Depth: 20.27 inches
- Height: 34.25 inches
- Work surface material: Wood
- Frame material: Steel
This is a great choice for a sturdy workbench that will hold up in the long run! It’s solidly built and supports up to 1500 pounds, so even if you’re working on your bigger equipment, it won’t let you down.
The table is 33 inches above the floor – slightly low if you’re tall. Overall, it’s over 57 inches tall including the pegboard. Even the pegboard is strong – it can hold up to 75 pounds!
It has one drawer. It’s relatively deep and can hold 100 pounds (in addition to the bench capacity). It’s also relatively deep, so you’ll be able to store a lot of tools and accessories here.
The wood surface is durable and suitable for almost all activities
You do have to assemble it yourself (or have Home Depot provide the service for you).
We do wish it were a little higher but other than that this is a great work surface with so many storage options. As long as it’s assembled correctly, it will hold up for a long time even with the temperature changes your shed goes through!
Seville Classics (UHD20247B) UltraHD Lighted Workbench
- Width: 48 inches
- Depth: 24 inches
- Height: 37.5 inches
- Work surface material: Beach Wood
- Frame material: Stainless Steel
The appearance of this bench is a little surgical, but its stainless steel construction is one of its strong points. And the built-in light and power strip are huge plusses!
With a 37.5-inch high work surface, you’ll be able to perform your tasks comfortably (at least if you’re an average height). Two drawers slide easily. It would be nice if they were slightly deeper, but you can still lay small garden instruments, like pruners, inside comfortably.
The fluorescent light is a great addition. It provides a decent amount of light to make performing your task easier.
Twenty-three peg hooks are included as well. Above the light, there’s also a small shelf.
The bench can support up to 500 pounds. That’s a decent amount for most projects you’ll be doing in the shed. But it’s not for heavy projects.
Seville Classics UltraGraphite Wood Top Workbench on Wheels
- Width: 48 inches
- Depth: 24 inches
- Height: 37 inches
- Work surface material: Wood
- Frame material: Steel
This is a great choice if you need a basic portable table. It’s sturdy, but also features casters so that you can easily move it around when you need to.
The top of the wood table is 37 inches above the floor. It’s a tough surface and good for most regular projects. There’s also a single drawer below it, although there are two dividers included (allowing you to create three sections).
The unit can hold up to 500 pounds.
Two of the four casters lock so that you can work securely without worrying about your table rolling away from you. But when you do need to move it, it’s simple to do!
Like most of the other benches here, it’s not for heavy-duty projects. But it’s good enough, and convenient enough, for what you’ll generally have to do related to your garden shed!
Keter Workbench
- Width: 33.6 inches
- Depth: 21.65 inches
- Height: 29.75 inches
- Work surface material: Resin
- Frame material: Steel
This small, collapsible bench is handy for many projects. It also includes two clamps which could come in handy when you’re sharpening tools or doing other work where it’s helpful to hold something in place.
This folds down to just 4.5 inches thick, so you can pull it out and set it up when you need it. Setup takes less than 30 seconds!
The surface is great for sharp tools. It will scratch but is more resistant than wood. At the same time, it won’t damage the tool as much as a steel tabletop might.
It’s great for all types of work, even if it’s a bit low. It may be uncomfortable to work at for extended periods but for quick jobs, it’s fantastic.
FLEXIMOUNTS Work Bench
- Width: 48 inches
- Depth: 24 inches
- Height: 37.4 inches
- Work surface material: Steel
- Frame material: Wood
This simple workbench would look equally good as a piece of living room furniture. Minimalist and stylish, it’s also very functional!
At 37.4 inches high, it’s a good size for a work table. The wood top is durable and resistant since it’s made of rubber wood. There is a small drawer, also – it won’t hold much, but is good for some papers or smaller hand tools.
Don’t worry if your floor isn’t quite level, as this has adjustable leveling feet.
According to the Amazon listing, it can support up to 3000 lbs. And that seems exaggerated to us. Of course, we didn’t have anything to test it with, but we suspect it might be more like 300 – 500 in a pinch.
If you just need a table to do some basic work, allow a lot of storage underneath, and stay out of the way, it’s an option worth considering!
Conclusion
A shed is a great space to do some simple tasks associated with your garden tools and equipment. That makes a workbench a great accessory to have there! Your most important consideration should be to find one that’s a decent size for the limited space you have. Don’t neglect to consider what you’re using for, because different materials may be more suitable for certain tasks.
