Craft Room Ideas for Organization – Part 1

Here’s the first installment in my series, “Craft Room Ideas for Organization – Part 1”.

Are you up for a challenge?

I am not an organizing professional, but I have learned a thing or two over the last few decades from my husband, who may be slightly OCD. 😁

He taught me many lessons about editing, purging, sorting, and filing.

Ideas for Organization Series

This post is the first in my series. Click below to check out the next two.

Part 2 here
Part 3 here

Living spaces need to be in an ongoing state of editing, or you will get buried in stuff.

With the new year, I decided it was a perfect time to get my craft room/office in order.

I will be doing it in phases, so it’s manageable for me, and if you join me, it’s doable for you too.

I hope you leave feeling inspired. If you take this challenge with me, we will both have clean, creative work areas. Woot-woot!

Four Principles of Organization

The first thing that comes to mind when I organize any space in our home is the three principles Mr. OCD has taught me.

Not rocket science, mind you, but oh so important. They truly do work!

1 Purge, Edit, and Group

Pick one small area at a time. Pull out everything and put it in front of you—group items by function, project, color, etc.

Next, purge; clean out the things that you don’t need or want anymore, duplicates, non-working, or dated supplies.

This is colossal because it prevents you from having too much of one item or buying duplicates moving forward.

This is the point where I discovered I had nine packages of twill tape and 32 sewing zippers. Gulp.

In other areas of your home, here are more ideas for things to throw away.

2. Set a Broad Location for Items

Next, categorize further. Edit your immediate workspace down to only your daily and weekly essentials.

This will streamline your days. It’s LIFE CHANGING.

It creates room to work, breathe, and enjoy cleanliness.

If you use an item daily or weekly, you should keep it within arm’s reach, nearby at your desk, drawer, or room.

But if you only use it monthly, quarterly, or yearly, put it farther away.

In other words, relocate it to a space that makes more sense, such as your closet, storage room, basement, garage, etc.

This method applies to every room in your house; your office, craft room, kitchen or bedroom, etc. 

If you cannot find a home for something, you probably need to put it in storage or part with it. Sorry!

Ask yourself some simple questions. Does it bring you joy or productivity? Is it contributing to your life, or is moving it around just becoming a burden?

3 Create a Specific Home for Everything

A place for everything and everything in its place. You’ve heard this before, but it’s really true.

Next, we get more granular. Create a file, drawer,  cubby, box, bin, or basket (etc.) for anything you want to keep.

If you have one spot for the item, you will always put it back. You may never lose your keys again.

What about those papers? If you have a file folder for each type, your desk will be clean in minutes, and you’ll know just where to look to find it again.

Now apply this logic to craft and sewing supplies. I think you will see this is a game-changer.

4 Label your Storage Containers

This one is pretty simple. Label all your “areas” when possible.

This is an instant reminder to you, your family, or roommates about what goes where.

It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Use a marker on a piece of paper, a Post-it, or a label. You can also design and print it out so it’s clear and legible.

Here are a few label ideas for all kinds of applications. HERE, HERE and HERE (affiliate links)

Organizing Ideas for Arts and Craft Supplies

No matter the size of your space, you will be more productive if it is organized.

My office is pretty roomy because it’s been the home of my graphic design business for the past 25 years and doubles as a living room.

Because the room is multi-purpose, I like to keep supplies semi-hidden. I use all the drawers for supplies.

These inexpensive and simple cutlery trays from IKEA work well for my map case.

The trays have different size compartments and fit many odd-shaped objects.

You can also find trays at Target, Walmart, and The Container Store.

I found a ton on Amazon too. HERE, HERE and HERE (affiliate links)

Making super simple labels for each drawer helps you quickly find stuff.

Just print out cardstock and cut it to size. It feels good to whip this place into shape!

Craft Room Storage Solutions

Separate stackable, modular, and covered bins work well for soft sewing and craft supplies, such as ribbons, trims, buttons, and embellishments.

The lids keep dust out, they fit great in most drawers, and I like how I can hide them away, out of sight.

You can also easily take them to your desk or to another room to work. The plastic bins with handles would also be great to carry to craft classes.

Cut pieces of cardboard to wrap trims around and file them upright. This allows you to check your inventory easily.

It works great for rifling through the colors and shapes when you work.

These containers work equally well for papercrafts, stamping, baking, jewelry-making supplies, and scrapbooking materials.

I found all kinds of styles and colors of bins. HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE (affiliate links)

For more organizing product ideas, see Jewelry Organization

There’s an option in most of these storage containers to move around dividers or take them out completely. If you prefer the loosey-goosey method of storage, take all the dividers out.

You can have it both ways, though, depending on your mood.

In reality, I do change things up occasionally as I find storage methods that work and some that don’t.

For an example of the adjustable larger storage bin, click HERE. (affiliate link)

Organizing Sewing and Craft Patterns

Here’s what I came up with for sewers and crafters who have patterns.

Sort out your patterns and make file divider labels. Print out 8.5 x 11-inch sheets, cut them down to size, and tuck them in the basket.

You could try the same method in a soft bin or box.

Organization Containers that Do the Work for You

Below are more product ideas for stashing supplies, pulling your creative spaces together, and simplifying your life. Tray, bins and baskets, and more.

1 Storage Basket | This large basket is a perfect catch-all when you are not quite ready to organize the details. Great for fabric or yarn storage.

2 Drawer Organizer | Simple but striking way to keep the little parts and pieces in order.

3 The Home Edit Book | A gorgeous book on so many levels. Ideas for every room in the house or office, or it’s just great for dreaming!

4 Wicker Basket Set | Modular baskets are wonderful for all the places in your rooms. Works great for closets, shelves, and desktops.

5 A Storage Basket | A beautiful basket that you can leave out on your desk, table, or next to the couch. Available in other colors and other shapes.

6 Straw Purse | Okay, this purse was just too fun to pass up. ☺️

7 Art Bin, 3 Pack | These are my absolute favorites. Great quality, large, multi-functional, stackable, and easy to carry! Love!

8 Cubes for Storage, 4 pieces | Cubes are perfect for good-looking storage for any room in the house. These are available in many colors and patterns.

I hope the “craft room ideas for organization – part 1” motivated you to clean out and organize your craft and sewing rooms.

Check out Part 2 and Part 3 in my series.

How’s it going on your end? Let me know if you are getting things under control in your craft room and having success!

Thanks for following along,
xo,
Cindy

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