First I must tell you that my shop is half of a garage and that all tools, benches have to be portable. I can't do large projects and really don't care to, so all is well with what I have.

 

 

Over the years my space has changed to accommodate new things and to make the most used items handy. First, there are never enough sharp pencils and they always hide somewhere. Next was the tools I use to do small jobs and repairs. Then there are the measuring rules and tapes I know I usually can't find. I try to keep most things within reach and not have to go on a search mission. As I looked over my ever evolving  workbench, design/layout table and wondered what others do.

 

So I am asking you to post some pictures to show what you do for your bench/layout/design area.

 

Here is mine

 

 

I'd show you my benches except they are covered in stuff

Every flat surface I have has stuff on it.

Pencils I'm convinced hide with the socks!

If I had six tapes in the shop I still would not have one at the spot where I need it.

After reading Cliff and John's posts all I can say is thank goodness I'm not alone! 

I think our benches are the first place we go to set something down. Mine sits beside my scroll saw so it catches patterns, tape, scissors and eats pencils constantly. I'm thinking we all have them as readily available temp storage that is not as temp as we  like. I'll try and get mine cleaned off and get a photo of it. I liked the pencil and tool holder Ron showed. Just wish I had a space for it.