My Craft Room and Office. Need Ideas!

Beth McCurdy
by Beth McCurdy
Hi everyone! I'm a DIY/Crafty/Home Decor lover but I can't seem to get my craft room in my basement the way I want it. I'm in here a lot and would like it to have more style with vintage/repurposed items. For example, I hate the cheap office depot bookshelf. Any ideas of what I can change and how to change it would be so appreciated!
Chair across from TV, where I sit on laptop. Stores craft stuff (stamps on top of curio cabinet)
Pottery barn craft table, Son's old baby armoire that stores craft stuff. Office depot shelf (ick)
Desk/computer area.
  23 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Feb 25, 2013
    I like to have my materials with in easy reach of my "work surface" My sweetie set up here bench with small parts bins for her supplies. (these are those bins you can get at the hardware store for screws and things). She has a couple of these off to the side of here main work area.
  • Z Z on Feb 25, 2013
    This looks very nice Beth. I love all all the windows and the fact that you have your desk facing one of them.
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 25, 2013
    Thanks Becky!
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 25, 2013
    @KMS Woodworks Thanks, yes, I don't like all my stuff in the shelf behind me. It's very awkward. Need to figure something out. While the windows are pretty, it doesn't give me a lot of options for storage.
  • Z Z on Feb 25, 2013
    Beth maybe you could find, or build, a tall shallow cabinet to go where you have the two cork boards now. You could add the cork boards to the door.
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 25, 2013
    That's a great idea Becky! That's the only place left to put storage. The doors are glass french doors (you can't see them in the pic) but I can put the cork boards somewhere else. I'm not attached to them there at all. Hmm. I will measure the space and be on the hunt! Thanks @Z !
  • Z Z on Feb 25, 2013
    I know how important storage is in a craft room. I've been working on my own "drawing" room for a few months now and though it has four small armoires a large kitchen like cabinet/hutch, three book cases with basket storage long with a walk in closet I'm still debating whether or not to change the full size sofa to a love seat. The thing is the sofa makes for a great place for a nap or a single overnight guest. It's very comfy. So instead of removing it so far I've added more storage above each armoire.
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 25, 2013
    It's important to get the space right, for sure-that's where we get all of our creative ideas and can relax! Look forward to seeing pics, @Z !
  • Z Z on Feb 25, 2013
    Yes it is important to get it right. My problem is most of our home is still, after over nine years, "in progress". LOL It might take awhile so please don't hold your breath.
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 26, 2013
    @Z I know what you mean! I've been in my house for 9 years, too!
  • Pat S Pat S on Feb 26, 2013
    I love you space and all the windows! I would start painting allot of your storage units "white". Some pieces are white and the all different colors and wood colors... maybe stick to black and white furnishing. The shelves could be painted white and either a color or fabric for the back. Get baskets, decorative boxes or make your own to 'hide' some stuff on the shelves BUT make sure you label them.
  • Z Z on Feb 26, 2013
    Beth, I bet you have all the trim installed and a fireplace surround if you have a fireplace though. We're still working on things like that. Insert a big sigh here.
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 26, 2013
    @Pat S Thank you! Yes, I can't decide if I want to paint the big office depot shelf or just buy a new one in white. I love the idea of using a color or fabric for the back! Thank you!!!
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 26, 2013
    @Pat S also the oversized chair and ottoman is 12 years old and sinks too much now. LOL. I think I probably need to replace it and would go with something smaller. It's leftover from our old house and takes up too much room, especially when I have painting projects on the floor. Thanks again!!
  • Pat S Pat S on Feb 27, 2013
    try a piece of wood cut to size under the cushion to help from sinking... just looks so comfy! I start with paint and have one too that I am going to add molding to dress up before buying new or look for thrift store finds.
  • Kat =^.^= Kat =^.^= on Jul 09, 2013
    hi! well i have been working on my spare guest room turned craft room and after looking at a lot of wonderful blogging sites i found one that took little wooden boxes, shelves cabinets you name it and she just built a wall of little cubby spaces! if you can visualize this, just think stacking up to the ceiling with storage pieces, re use not what they were intended for, cigar boxes, 3x5 card boxes bathroom wall cabs, the little ones, bookcases etc. have fun with it Rome, oh no, the craft room, wasn't built in a day :) good luck! have fun, take your time, i love your space very comfortable! :) i'd be sleepin in that chair, a lot! lol ps paint a light or fave colour, that will give you the inspiration! my other home office/studio was fire engine RED! and I couldn't wait to get into that room! My head hurt! I was creating in my head when in that space! :)
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Jul 09, 2013
    Thanks @Kat =^.^= I'd love to see a pic of your space-sounds so cool. Yah, it's so important to have a space that inspires you to create and I do fall asleep in that chair, lol.
  • Opal Opal on Feb 15, 2014
    Such wonderful natural light. I love the feel of the room. I would switch the desk under the window with the chair & ottoman along with the side table. Then you could accommodate something under the boards and under the cabinet on the wall. Secondly I would paint the tall bookcase black which I think would make that lovely wood desk and tv cabinet really pop out. It looks like you would be able to turn or move the tv cabinet down and also pull out the black desk a bit for a bigger feel. Please post whatever you decide.
    • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Feb 15, 2014
      Opal, this is amazing. I ended up doing exactly what you said. I have my black craft table under the window and I ended painting the bookshelf black. I will post a pic when I'm home on my computer. Thanks for the help!!
  • Kay Kay on Aug 18, 2014
    I painted or bought specialty craft storage boxes with inserts all in white. Ikea, JoAnn, Miichaels, and Home Goods were the points of purchase. Think VERTICALLY, as there's still room for storage on those walls. My solution to my small room was to place my drawing table towards the center of the room, which is literally surrounded by the various storage units and bookcases. I'm in the process of converting my closet into storage for scrapbooking papers, stickers and paper specialty "stacks." I still have a few chaotic places, but I've gradually organized my space to the point that it works for me. Now, if only I could get all of those family photos organized...
    • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Aug 18, 2014
      I meant to comment directly to you Kay. My reply is in the comment below. Thanks!!!
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Aug 18, 2014
    Kay, thank you and yours sounds wonderful! I posted this awhile back and in a few months, I'm moving my craft room to the unused mother-in-law suite in the basement. It's a lot bigger but still has windows. I plan on redoing all of the storage into something more cohesive, like what you suggested. It's so important for us to have a great space to do things we love! Thanks again!
  • Lori Lori on Dec 28, 2014
    Beth, an idea for the bookshelf which I just did, was after you paint it, buy the clear shoe size plastic boxes which I just got for .97 at Home Depot. You could probably get 5 across each shelf. I bought cute pages of stick on letters from the $ Store and put names on the boxes like, tools, painting stuff, ribbon, brushes etc. it is so easy to see what I have, it's neat and all the same. Just a thought.
    • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Jan 20, 2015
      Thank you so much for your ideas @Lori ! Since then, I've moved into another room and it's much bigger. Much better. Thanks again!
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Jan 06, 2015
    Ok, Here is my 2 cents...I would flip the chair & ottoman w/ the beautiful ornate desk. I would get trim work & crown molding for the bookcase that you hate & then paint it white & distress it. That way it kind of matches the armoire. You have a lot of little boxes & baskets on that bookcase, I would get large dark brown rattan baskets to put all that stuff in them to keep it neat & uncluttered. Now, that the chair & ottoman are on the other side of the room, you can now turn your crafting table 90 degrees & in the middle of the room that way you have access from any angle while you are working. I would also get rid of one of the chairs for the crafting table. If you need for another person then store it somewhere else close by. Hope this helps.
    • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Jan 20, 2015
      @Kayo Frazier thank you so much for your advice! It took me awhile to see your comment. since then, I've moved into another room and it's so much better. The room is a lot bigger!
  • Erin Erin on Feb 25, 2015
    Hi there, so you already have a great space to work with and the walls are a lovely neutral color. I think a pretty damask stenciled wall as a focus or feature wall (one wall) or however you feel a stencil would work best for your space. I love cutting edge stencils and the Anna damask is my fav damask. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to work with (stencil adhesive and level). Lastly tying in another pattern is possible with what you have going so far. Oh my goodness I just saw the ceiling!!!!! Stencil the ceiling for statement!!! You can also use it for adding a pattern inside your shelving units. Just take out shelves and paint the inside using a stencil of your choice. Can you tell I love stencils? It's inexpensive compared to wallpaper and easy to do! Good luck and please post any updates :)