I've got a decent amount of garage space and I'm interested in trying to make some actual furniture instead of just shelves. Seems intimidating though. Do I need a bunch of expensive equipment right away or can I start simple? Any recommendations for beginner projects that won't make me want to throw everything in the trash?
YouTube is your friend here. There are tons of channels for beginner woodworking that show you exactly what equipment you need and don't need. Way cheaper to learn that way before dropping money on a jointer or planer.
I did this two years ago and honestly the most expensive part was the tools but you don't need everything at once. Started with basic stuff under 300 bucks and built from there as I got comfortable. First project was a cutting board which sounds simple but teaches you a lot.
Do you have woodworking community classes near you? Local tech schools sometimes offer them and you can try everything out without buying anything. That's how I figured out I actually wanted to do this before spending the money.
Start small with hand tools first. You don't need a shop full of equipment right away. A basic saw, chisel set, measuring tools and a workbench will get you going. Buy nice stuff as you figure out what you actually use.
The garage space is already half the battle. Most expensive thing early on is quality wood and learning what the heck you're doing. YouTube and some patience go a long way.
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Making actual furniture from day one might set you up for frustration. Build some smaller stuff first to learn techniques, then move to bigger pieces. You'll appreciate the progression and your first table won't be a disaster.