How to Organize Your Craft Room
Before Pictures of My Workroom
Storage Ideas in My Craft Room
Needless to say I spend a lot of time in my workroom. I am constantly straightening up, cleaning and trying to organize my stuff. However, I never really took the room totally apart and organized it from the inside out. I got myself in the proper mood feeling self righteous and lacking in emotions. I knew it was time to throw things away, and that alone creates feelings of unrest. Coming up with storage ideas in my workroom is a major challenge.
The room is very small and creating even less space is a queen size bed which we keep in the room for occasional guests. Moving the bed in the corner helped the space situation, so at least I can walk around the room. The bed is my reading, thinking and sketching place, and it normally has stuff spilling over the edges. I am really working on keeping this clutter down to a minimum. Trust me the bed rarely looks like the photo.
The nature of all art supplies--especially oil paints--are basically messy on their own and keeping them organized is a daily chore. I try to have the colors I use lined up so I am not searching before painting. I got that clue from an artist friend of mine.
You will note that the computer sits on the side of the table. I did move the computer to this spot to have more room for paints and a small easel; and I also get a view outside. No matter what the size of your room you can organize it to stay neat and tidy.
Organizing My Workroom with Little Storage Space
I emptied out the closet with all the art books, papers, extra supplies and just stuff. I dumped out the stuff from the small cabinet and put everything on the floor from the small cabinet and table. I could hardly navigate around the room with all stuff. However, I was pumped up to organize everything, especially if I ever wanted to enter the room again. I feel strongly that when everything is in a special place, it is an inspiration to craft, write, paint and have a peaceful place to be during the day. My basic problem here is that I love to have everything I use on a regular basis next to me.
I attacked the closet cabinets and put a large plastic bag next to me with hopes of filling several of these bags. I found things in the closet I haven't seen or even thought about for a long time. If it is out of sight it is often out of mind. I am now excited to try some pastels that I haven't worked with in a long time. I better leave them well displayed or I will forget about them again.
I found many books that I could put on the shelves in the living room, give away or throw out.
I took the time to go through papers to make sure there was nothing important and threw out what was not.
I now have a shelf for art magazines, one for art books, art supplies, canvases and other miscellaneous stuff. I dusted and washed the shelves and put everything back in its new place. I felt so happy with my well organized shelves and to find all kinds of unexpected treasures.
I am really happy to have the canvases, small frames and large books that I used to trip over now safely and happily put away.
The table where the paints and computer reside needs daily tending. I feel obligated to straighten the table everyday, well almost everyday.
After Pictures of My Workroom
Finding a Place for Everything
I use the small cabinet in the photo for current art supplies such as extra brushes and paints. I also have rags, tissues, pencils and marking pens inside when I need them.
I have three baskets that hold specific supplies. I have large cans and mugs for marking pens. brushes and pencils that I use frequently. It is such a treat to know where everything is. I try to keep my favorite brushes close by for just that reason. Sitting here writing, I just noticed how disorganized the cups, and containers for brushes and pens look, so you will have to excuse me while I do some work on them. I also notice that the baskets are in a disorganized state. I will be back soon. I also set up a two new files-one with ideas for paintings and a file with writing topics for hubs and other articles.
I am back from cleaning, and things look a little better, but I am still going to do more work on the baskets. As a painter or writer we need to have the tools of our trade close such as enough paper in the printer, notes we might use and a cup of never ending coffee.
The Right Mood
Make sure you are in the right mood for this project. It is a huge job especially if you are like me and tend to collect. Offer yourself a reward after doing a good cleaning job. Take a walk, relax with a cup of coffee, read a book. I mostly just kept admiring my handiwork.
The Finale
The big question is whether or not the room will stay organized. As I am one who often does not return things to their original home I do worry. I decided I would go through things once a week and make sure everything is where it should be. It also helps me to inventory my supplies. I am not a neat freak, but I think I have come up with some pretty good storage ideas for my little workroom.
My Husband's Side of the Closet
What Does Your Workroom Look Like?
Is your workroom well organized and clean?
Organize Your Home
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Clutter saps your time, energy and money, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Learn about the hidden costs of clutter and how to fight them.
Cleaning and Crafts
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