Since I am in the process of moving and redoing my craft room, I have been putting a lot of thought into what's important to have to have in a craft room. I have evaluated all of the fluff that I've had in my crafting space that is no longer serving me. I've boiled it all down into
6 essential things to have in your craft room
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In this house my craft room has evolved from a closet, to part of a room, to an entire room and now I'm back to my roots in a closet. In the process of all of those moves, I have learned what I really need.
I thought my craft room needed to be big, with tons of space to hold all of my stuff. But what I really had was a lot of unused crap in that space, so it was really inefficient. I have been editing and purging unused craft supplies and tools, storage containers, and many decorative items that were just collecting dust. I am happy to have boiled it all down into what I really need.
6 things that are essential to a craft room
- storage
- work surface
- lighting
- all usable space
- zones
- extras
Storage
Ya gotta contain your stuff!
Craft Storage Cubes: The best things I have in my craft room are craft storage cubes. I have 6 lined up in my craft closet and am using 6 as a long desk that holds mine and my kids computer. These cubes are invaluable. I use them to store paint, my camera equipment, stickers, craft supplies, tools, stamps, punches, jewelry making supplies, desk supplies and paper.
Storage Boxes: On top of my craft storage cubes, I added 12 x 12 storage boxes. I found cute buffalo check boxes at Hobby Lobby. They work great to store stamps, my current project stuff, paper and anything I need to keep handy.
Work Surface
Ya gotta have a place to do your projects!
This is one I'm still working on but I needed to mention it, for obvious reasons. I will have stand up space inside my craft closet once I get it all worked out. Plus I plan to get a fold up table to have outside my craft closet, similar to this, when needed for larger projects.
Lighting
Lighting is crucial so you can see all of your projects!
I have a little, baby ceiling light in my closet that is completely insufficient. While I'd love natural light, I think putting in a sky light or window is a little extra. To make the most of the lighting I have, I put in a day light, light bulb that is quite bright. Then I added a clip on desk lamp. I like that I can move my desk lamp around and clip it right where I need the light. I also have a phone holder with light ring that I use for lighting photos and videos.
Use all available space
When you're craft room is small, you have to use all of the space you have.
Shelves: Wall shelves let me use wall space as storage space. In my craft room I hung black shelf brackets on the wall and put a 1 x 8 on top. I found one pre cut to 48" at Lowe's that worked perfectly in my space. Hanging shelves on the wall gives a bunch of storage space.
Wire Baskets: I store floss, twine, yarn and trims in wire baskets (similar).
Glass Jars: Clothes pins and other wooden supplies are stored in glass jars. Colorful ribbon is stored in quart mason jars that I got at Walmart, 12 for $12. (similar) I store my buttons in a vintage gumball machine, that looks exactly like this one.
Drawer Dividers: In the craft storage cubes in my room, I divided the drawers with storage trays. I am able to keep the drawers more organized.
Stations
Have a section in your crafting area for each hobby
I have sectioned my tiny little craft closet into zones. So far I have a sewing zone, with my sewing machine on a rolling cart, and a computer zone, outside my craft closet. I will have a Silhouette zone as well. The other zones I am considering are painting and photography,
Extras
All of the little things that make a crafting area functional!
Hooks: Over the door hooks come in really handy for aprons and other hanging storage. (similar) Since I have bi-fold doors in my craft room, the hooks help me to use space that wouldn't otherwise be used.
Cleaning essentials: Messes in a craft room are unavoidable. So having tools to clean them up is essential. A mini broom and dustpan set (similar) has become one of my most used items. I use it to clean up glitter, thread and paper scraps. It's small size makes it perfect to hang underneath my desk for a quick clean up.
Of course another cleaning essential in a craft room is a trash can. When that trash can is cute, it adds some style as well!
When you are planning your craft room, these 6 essentials are a great place to begin thinking. I didn't go into needed tools because I think that's pretty personal. We all need different things. Hopefully this gave you some ideas on how to use your crafting space most efficiently!
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