Let me start this off with a bit of my own history in tabletop wargaming. I have been interested in Warhammer 40k since I got the computer game Chaos Gate way back in '98 or '99. Prior to that I had pretty much always had an interest in model trains and airplanes and usually got model kits for birthdays and Christmas. Being a kid I didn't have a whole lot of space to paint or build and did not think I could get into the hobby because of that lack of space. As time went on I got more and more into video games, setting aside modeling and painting.
Fast forward to college. This is where I started to really get into tabletop role playing and started looking to get back into miniature painting. I was extremely fortunate in that a club friend had set up an affiliate with Reaper Miniatures to run painting events at the club for several years prior. The events were popular enough that he had quite a few paint sets on hand, unopened. He gave me a whole set! (I still use it today) This really helped me out in getting into painting, but, living in a dorm, I still had the issue of space. Dorms are tiny, furniture is sparse and its a shared living space.
Small beginnings on the dining room table
It wasn't until I left college and got an apartment, with my then future wife, that I was actually able to set up the dedicated hobby space I thought I needed. After a month of being parked on the dining room table I was able to set up a 3' x 4' table with some Rubbermaid desktop organizers down in the basement. Since then I made sure that every place I lived was big enough to at least accommodate my crafting table reasonably.
The simple fact is that you need space for the hobby. And not just space to craft or paint. You also have to consider storage space for completed projects, materials, and, to top it all off, gaming space. The deeper you get into hobby terrain and wargaming the more space you will inevitably require. But these should not be reasons to not get in.
I completely understand the thought process behind not getting in due to space issues, as I said this was me for a long time. I was just skirting the edges jealously looking in until I had finally had enough and took the plunge. If you are reading this and in a similar position as I was, I strongly recommend jumping in now. Hindsight is always 20/20, but when I look back I really wish I had not waited so long to fully commit to the hobby.
Space is probably the most important thing for the hobby, other than a desire to participate. Skills, technique, and even cash can always be improved on, learned, and accumulated. Space is more of a constant. You can get more or end up with less but gaining space is much harder than anything else.
There is a physical limit on space. An 800 sq. foot apartment only has that 800 sq feet, so managing what use of space you DO have becomes really, really important. If you have the space on a dresser or desktop get yourself some storage containers like this:
These are stackable, and a flat top so you don't really lose desktop space. I bought three of these when I started out and still use them. I could realistically use a couple more. They are fairly cheap, around $10 at Walmart, and will help you keep things out of the way. They are great for storing brushes, files, XActo knives and blades, pens, or whatever else you have that will fit.
If you dont have the table or desk space I recommend getting an art supply case or fishing tackle box.
These are also pretty cheap and can be bought almost anywhere. I have one that I still use when I travel to carry paints, brushes and other tools. With one of these you can quickly get to your tools and then put them back in something that will store easily.
The second thing I recommend is a cutting mat, though I do not own one, and have only ever owned really cheap ones. It is going to save you from a whole lot of grief. Nobody wants random spots of paint on the kitchen table or have to explain all the little nicks and scratches from blade slips. Depending on the table surface it can even help extend the life of your cutting tools because its not as hard as a tabletop.
The third essential is something I also did not first use, though I wish I had. A 12" x 8" cake pan with a lid. Believe it or not, it is the PERFECT thing to keep your miniatures in. The only thing you will need to do is glue a small magnet to the miniatures base to hold it down.
The total depth is about 4" so all person sized 28-32 mm figures should fit with no problem. You should even be able to get some larger monster figures in as well. The magnets you use could be the weaker black ones from a department or art supply store or stronger neodymium ones from online. I have used both and they both work well, with the neodymium ones holding much stronger.
As time progresses you can gradually get more space for the hobby. Over the course of about four years I went from dining room table to full on workshop in my basement.
