If you can score a few kitchen base cabinets, they make good foundations for a bench.
Increase the lighting, forget carpet. I have 10x3 anti-static rubber backed carpet sections, i use. You can too
2-3 more 4-8' florescent fixtures and you'll be well lit. For any lighting over the bench area, i suggest you put these over the tubes.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-...R24/100163152#
Powder and primers separate areas, enclosed in 1" thick wood cabinets, non-locking doors. FIRE EXTINGUISHER at least 2 hefty ones. Those small kidde units last 10 sec, if that.