Organizing Craft Supplies in a Small Space
Updated: Dec 4, 2023
When you live in a small apartment without the luxury of a dedicated craft room, finding space to organize and store your craft supplies can be a challenge. Let's explore some practical tips and creative solutions for organizing craft supplies in a small space.
Section 1: Assessing Your Space and Needs
Before diving into organizing your craft supplies, take some time to assess your space and specific crafting needs. This step is essential to create a plan that works for your unique situation.
Define Your Crafting Space
Determine which area in your apartment will serve as your crafting space. This could be a corner of the living room, a nook in the bedroom, or even a fold-out table in the kitchen.
Measure the available space to understand its dimensions better and decide what furniture and storage solutions will fit.
Take Inventory of Your Supplies
Go through all your craft supplies and categorize them. This will help you decide what type of storage solutions you need.
Consider decluttering and getting rid of items you no longer use or need. Donating or selling these items can free up valuable space.
Identify Your Crafting Goals
Determine the types of projects you typically work on. Different crafts require different tools and materials, so organizing based on your primary crafting activities can be highly efficient.
Think about your crafting workflow. Do you need a designated area for cutting, sewing, painting, or other specific tasks?
Section 2: Creative Craft Supply Storage Ideas
Now that you have a clear understanding of your space and crafting needs, let's explore some innovative storage solutions to make the most of your small apartment.
Vertical Storage
Utilize vertical wall space with shelves, pegboards, or wall-mounted organizers. These options keep your craft supplies within reach while maximizing floor space.
Use hooks, pegs, or a pegboard to hang frequently used tools like scissors, rulers, and cutting mats.
Multi-Functional Furniture
Invest in furniture pieces that can serve dual purposes. For instance, a fold-down desk can double as a crafting table and save space when not in use.
Ottomans with hidden storage can house craft supplies while providing seating in your living area.
Clear Containers and Labels
Use transparent containers for storing smaller craft supplies like beads, buttons, and threads. Labels on these containers make it easy to find what you need.
There's no need to go out and buy containers. So many products around our homes come in containers you can easily reuse. Jars and other glass containers can be washed and reused to store smaller craft items. Keep the lids to keep items secure or leave the jars open to store crayons, markers or brushes.
Portable Carts
Rolling carts or trolleys can be moved around your apartment, offering a flexible and organized crafting solution. Store supplies in bins or baskets on the cart for easy access.
I've used a small Ikea cart to store all of my items. The trick is to sort your supplies and keep things together in smaller containers on your cart. Use magazine storage boxes to store craft papers or completed artwork, re-use small boxes or bins to store smaller items.
Over the Door Storage
Over the door storage is an excellent way to find space when you don't think you have it. Use one that has built-in storage compartments like the one below. Even an over the door shoe rack could work well. These can discreetly organize and house your crafting materials while remaining close at hand when needed.
Magnetic Storage
Magnetic strips or boards on the inside of cabinet doors or on walls can hold metal crafting tools like scissors, rulers, and cutting blades.
Under-Bed Storage
Utilize the space under your bed with shallow storage bins or drawers. This is a great place to store larger crafting materials like fabric, paper rolls, or yarn.
Section 3: Organizing Craft Supplies by Type
Now that you have a variety of storage solutions at your disposal, let's discuss how to organize your craft supplies by type for maximum efficiency.
Paper and Fabric Supplies
Store paper, fabric, and patterns in flat storage containers or portfolios to prevent wrinkling and damage.
Consider using magazine holders or vertical file organizers to keep paper and fabric organized on shelves.
Paints and Brushes
Use a caddy or tray to group paints, brushes, and palettes together. This allows for easy transport to your crafting area.
Beads and Jewelry Supplies
Small craft supplies like beads, jewelry findings, and threads can be organized in clear plastic containers with multiple compartments.
Tools and Notions
Keep tools and notions such as scissors, rotary cutters, and measuring tapes in a designated container or tool organizer. Storage boxes in the style of an expandable fishing tackle box are ingenious for smaller items that need to be kept organized, but together in one place.
Yarn and Thread
Invest in yarn bins or thread racks to keep your yarn and thread collections tangle-free and easily accessible.
Section 4: Maintaining an Organized Craft Space
Once you've implemented your craft supply storage solutions, it's important to maintain organization and order in your small apartment.
Regularly Declutter
Periodically go through your craft supplies and declutter any items you no longer need. This will help prevent clutter from accumulating.
Clean as You Go
After each crafting session, take a few minutes to clean up and return materials to their designated storage spaces. This habit will ensure your space stays organized.
Prioritize Accessibility
Keep frequently used supplies easily accessible to streamline your crafting process. Place less-used items in higher or harder-to-reach storage.
Reevaluate Your Setup
As your crafting needs evolve, be open to reevaluating your storage solutions. Adjust and adapt your organization as necessary.
Organizing craft supplies in a small apartment is undoubtedly a challenge, but with creative storage solutions and a well-thought-out plan, it's entirely possible to have organized, functional and accessible craft supply storage. By assessing your space, identifying your crafting goals, and utilizing some of these storage ideas, you can enjoy crafting projects without feeling overwhelmed by clutter. Remember that an organized craft space not only makes crafting more enjoyable but also helps maximize your limited space.