By Stephanie Hyland, Storage.com
Everyone has that one room in their home that they’d like to change into something else. Storage.com is here to help provide you with ideas and the storage necessary to make a transformation.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned craft enthusiast, you have probably seen first-hand how craft projects can take up a lot of space on your kitchen table or living room floor. Instead of crowding your living space with sewing materials, hot glue guns, fabric, and other craft essentials, consider turning your spare bedroom into a space that has craft room storage features designated for every stage of your current and future projects.
With the help of DIY craft bloggers, Storage.com has put together a list of craft room essentials and storage tips that will help get your remodel underway. Let’s get started!
#1: Invest In a Large Workspace.
When it comes to assembling a project, you want to make sure that you have enough room to spread out not only your necessary supplies, but the project itself. This is especially important for crafters who frequently use a sewing machine and other sewing essentials such as pin boxes, assorted thread, and measuring tape, as those items can take up a lot of counter space. By giving yourself enough room to spread out during the creation process, you won’t run the risk of knocking that box of pins on the floor as you are feeding your project through the machine.
DIY craft bloggers such as And Sew We Craft and Thrifty Decor Chick both show how a large work space can not only be functional, but also a statement piece in your designated craft area.
#2: Stay Organized With Storage.
When it comes to crafting, supplies can pile up fast! It’s important to find a way to keep all of your favorite and frequently used supplies organized and easily accessible. Even though you want to be able to see the supplies you have, you want to avoid having cluttered and unwelcoming space. Installing shelves or other craft room storage tools will not only make items easier to find, but you will also be able to quickly see if you are getting low on a particular product. There is nothing worse than thinking you are ready to start a project to only later find out that you are out of Mod Podge or a particular color of thread.
“Installing cabinets and counter space for storage was key for me! My other must-have is my standing height craft table,”Kim Demmon, owner and founder of Today’s Creative Life.
Installing floating shelves, hanging baskets, or using jars will help keep items organized and help make your craft room more functional. Need ideas to get started? Check out how Somewhat Simple set up her crafting paradise in her spare bedroom closet by using a variety of tools to help keep all of her favorite supplies organized.
“I bought three shelving units from IKEA that fit the closet perfectly. And just as I was getting ready to fill those shelves, Office Depot contacted me and asked if I would be interested in trying out their fabulous line of organization supplies from their See Jane Work Collection. It was like Christmas all over again! I think the aspect I love most about this project was that it made great use of an unused space. Before this, that closet was mostly bare! What a waste!”Stephanie Dulgarian, creator of Somewhat Simple.
#3: Lighting is Key.
Let there be light! When it comes to assembling meticulous aspects of your project, you are going to want to make sure you can see what you are doing. Threading a needle is already hard to do, so make it easier by investing in an adjustable lamp that you can move back and forth during the different stages of your project. If you prefer to work on your project in natural light, make sure you position your workspace next to a window or underneath a skylight.
Not sure what kind of light system to invest in? Amber, the writer of Damask Love, does a lot of crafting at night. In order to see her work, she installed a few clamp work lights so she can shift the light on her crafts accordingly.
#4: Layout a Vision Board.
Whether you are following a sewing pattern or have printed out step-by-step instructions, create a vision board to keep your paperwork in an area where you can see it while working on a project. This is also a great spot to collect color and fabric samples that have inspired you for a future project. By having these items in a designated area, you won’t run the risk of accidentally throwing away important materials. A vision board is also an ideal place to display pictures of your completed projects. Who knows, they may inspire your next project!
“Keep all the projects that you’re not working on outside the studio and keep the current projects in the studio. That way, your head is clear to get more done. But it never hurts to have a few wildcard items around for inspiration,”Rachel Faucett, author of Handmade Charlotte.
Not sure where to start? Check out how Daisy Mae Belle made vision boards for her daughter’s room to help her organize her current projects and inspire future goals. To keep your vision board organized, you can add clips and labels to the board like The House of Smiths did!
#5: Make it Your Own.
Setting up your new craft room may seem like a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of supplies to organize. However, one of the most important aspects of establishing your new craft space is to make it an area in your home that will help you focus on your craft and promote future projects. Get inspired every time you sit down in your craft room by covering the space with your favorite pattern, paint color, or previous projects.
