How To Organize A Craft Space

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In this post I share how to organize a craft space. My craft space is actually an area under my stairs that I transformed into a craft closet for all my supplies for all my DIY and furniture redos that you can find on Double Arrow Designs. I was so excited when my Niece, Taylor showed interest in joining me on my creative projects. You can check out our first project here, where we painted and stenciled this cute side table. When she came over the first day, and looked around and said, “Susan I think we need to organize this space!” So this is what we did.

I didn’t realize how much materials and supplies I had stuffed in bags and cardboard boxes, it was very unorganized. It also gave me a chance to go through and throw out anything that had dried up, or scraps of fabrics from old projects that weren’t enough to do anything with.

Below is the full transformation from a craft space into a bona fide craft closet. We accomplished this in one day. (a very long one!) After we had prepped and painted the craft space we took a step back and discussed the optimum use of the space and how we could utilize this in the best way.

First steps to an organized craft space

The wall in this craft space were unfinished, so the first steps to organize a craft space was to sand, prime and paint! I had a lot of these supplies handy from my furniture redos. I used my Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer and Benjamin Moore swiss coffee. Because this craft space is small the light neutral color was important and worked really well. When the door is folded back the craft closet blends easily into the entire workspace making it very cohesive.

Organizing Craft supplies

This was a huge undertaking! Each person’s craft closet contains a variety of materials. What worked for me was taking everything out, assessing and grouping by category. Below is my categories, but everyone’s list may be different. We grouped all my supplies as follows:

• Paint testers, novelty paints and stains– in baskets under my shelf unit
• Artist paints, tubes of acrylic, etc– smaller paints that all ift into one of my new metal baskets
• adhesives– “all things sticky” that’s what we started calling this!
• pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils,brushes– we used plastic containers inside one of the metal baskets and separated each category into their own cup. This as a game changer for me!
• Scissors, hole punchers, xacto blades– This went in with the above category and i didn’t realize how many pairs of scissors I actually own.. It was a little embarrassing.
• trims- Ribbon, lace– These baskets are a mesh so you can readily see whats in there and I have a variety in this department.
• Hardware- (leftover pull handles,screws)
• Buttons, seashells– yep this is a category for me especially since I live by the beach.
• Fabrics- I had to put this in a separate wide flatter basket that I didn’t house in my craft closet. However it’s nice and organized and sitting in my workspace.
• paper– Tissue, glitter,and novelty paper that can be used for all sorts of things!
• Sewing– For this category I dedicated a shelf for my sewing machine, and accessories
• Cameo machine– I use this machine a lot! I am forever cutting stencils and need access to this. I placed this on the top shelf unit against the back wall. All the wires and accessories in a bag next to it on one of the hooks.

Craft basket labels

Because we were going to organize each category into its own bins, and baskets, I thought it would be also helpful to label everything. I created a set of printable tags for all of my craft supplies. Not only did it help in the organizational end, it gave each basket a fun design look. I left a few blank in case I needed to add additional categories.

Once I printed these out I “laminated” them by adhering contact paper on the back and then on the front. This will help to keep them from tearing or getting beaten up when taking the baskets on and off the shelves. I cut each one out, added two hole punches then threaded 1/4″ white satin ribbon through the front and tied them in a bow at the back. I used a similar method with my wine labels. You can read all about those here!

Baskets for Craft Supplies

In order to fit everything into this small craft space. I needed to make sure I had some containers. I found these Collapsible bins that would work well in housing my paints. Then I found these sturdy grey metal ones at loews all ft well in this craft closet.

Shelving & hooks

In this is limited space, utilizing the wall space is key. By adding a few shelves with brackets I have created more vertical storage to optimize this small storage craft space. I stored my seasonal items as well as my sewing machine on this highest shelf since these items are not used as much as everything else. We staggered three shelves. A wider one that sat above, my free standing shelf unit (this was actually my sons old headboard from his captains bed when he was a kid. I loved that I was able to repurpose this into a shelf unit for this craft space and it actually fit perfectly! On the other side, I added metal bar of hooks to hang additional items that would not fit well in any of my craft bins.

Lighting

In my craft area, since it’s under the stairs and no electric was here, I decided to purchase these touch disc lights that run on batteries and put them at the highest point of the ceiling of this space. They came with screws that we screwed into the sheetrock then slipped the lights into place. Now when I step in and want to look for something specific it will be a well lit area.

Closet “door”

This odd shape did not lend itself well for a door, also it would have cut down on my space. I had inherited a folding screen from my mom and not only did it work perfectly as the “door” we also use this as a good neutral background when we need to do staging when photographing our painted pieces. I love a double functional piece, total score. Now that this craft space is so well organized I can keep the folded screen halfway, and it all looks very finished.

Additional items for my craft closet

I will be adding this rolling 3-Tier Rolling Metal Storage Organizer – Mobile Utility Cart to my space shortly. This will be the final step on How To Organize A Craft Space. It will be a good place to put my paints, or materials I am working on for a specific project, wheel it out into my workroom. When I am done, I can keep those materials on the cart until I am finished with my project. Once I am done, I can then re shelve my supplies and keep my cart clear for the next project.Because its on wheels the space it takes up can be accessed by rolling the cart out of the way.

Bulletin Board

This bulletin board serves a few purposes. Because I have been using this to display some of my printables I thought it would be a good idea to add tacks to the walls and hook it, so I could get it off the floor. When I need it I can easily remove off the wall and use it for photos as well. Then replace it again onto the wall so its out of the way. Again I love a multi functional piece!

1. Bulletin Board– Perfect size for all your current papers.
2. Gold ball tacks– These are my current favorites!
3. Wood Push Pins Geometric Wooden Thumb Tacks– additional fun ones

Check out our craft Closet makeover video Below!

Workspace around my organized craft space

Now that this is complete, I can fold back the panels, roll out my cart and utilize the workspace in front. Since this is in my basement my floors are tile which helps for clean up. Also my laundry room is around the corner which houses not only a laundry sink, which is perfect for washing all my brushes. Also a metal rack that houses the larger cans of paints and tools needed for certain project.

We are now ready to tackle the next DIY projects for Double Arrow Designs right here in this newly organized craft space. It made me realize how much time I lost before we organized this craft space. I had to dig through bags and look through cardboard boxes for everything. But now we are ready to go! Stay tune as we get ready to refinish the biggest piece yet , so be on the lookout!