You will need more space for project storage and consumables than you think. Although leadership seems allergic to “empty rooms,” if possible, don’t fill all your square footage with equipment and co-working space in your design phase.
Approximately 20% of the overall square footage of your makerspace should be dedicated to project storage and consumables storage. Assume that each shop, e.g., metal, wood, 3D printing, etc., will require 5% of the overall 20% of storage you’ve set aside. Then depending on use and consumables, assume another 5% for their storage.
Ideally, another 20% should be set aside for “flexible:” shop space to hold the equipment and initiative you will identify after your space opens.
If your makerspace has a large co-working and prototyping environment, semi-transparent lockable bins are the way to go. To allow the use and reuse of the bins, apply a whiteboard sticker to one end with an area for the start/end date and email info. This way, stakeholders can “reserve” a bin by writing in their information.
Providing medium-term reservable bins to your stakeholders on adjustable shelves is a smart way to protect and store their projects. Keeping projects and materials organized and easily storable reduces clutter and the risk of injury while creating a more presentable, professional makerspace.
Critical to your culture, providing enough safe storage enables your stakeholders to bring and leave projects and ideas in your space, which builds retention numbers and your community.
Artwork: Tomás Saraceno, Eclipse of the Aerocene Explorer, 2016