10 Tips From My Craft Room To Yours

Stacy Davis
by Stacy Davis
1 Day
Easy
These may not be "new-to-you" tips but I thought I would share how I organized my craft room at the beginning of this year. It made working more productive and more enjoyable because the room was organized and easy to use. I am hoping this will be a "share" and "share alike" post, with people commenting on their favorite tips on crafting, as well as, craft rooms. I am always on the hunt for new and better ideas, so let's hear them! icon Just some full disclosure... this is a sun room in rental that I am using as a craft room. (It has more issues than VOGUE.) When we move, I am sure my craft room will be the dining room again and that is just fine because we NEVER use the dining room except to do puzzles. icon I can craft anywhere and I think one of my kid's friends once said, "Dude, every room is your mom's craft room! LOL" SO TRUE, SO TRUE!
#1. Elevate your workspace. When I would craft for long periods of time, I would get a back ache from bending over my craft table. I found that if I elevated it with milk crates, it made it much more comfortable.
And up it goes... underneath is a great storage area.


I wrap 3 sides with fabric. I just used carpet tape at the corners and middle to hold it to the table. If I ever need to remove that carpet tape from the table, it might be a problem but for now, it is great at holding it in place.
This is what it looks like from the back.


#2. I keep a holder of my most used items on my work table. Favorite glues, glue guns and rotary cutters.



#3. Keep glue sticks near glue guns. I have two sizes and inevitably, I would find small glue sticks when I needed the big ones and vice versa. I also keep ceramic tiles on my work surface so I can put the hot glue down and not worry about my table top. These ceramic tiles are 16 cents a piece at my local Home Depot. They have a much larger size for around 44 cents a piece and the next time I am in there, I will pick up the larger size.
#4. If you use a cutting mat, it helps to keep the mat, clear cutting guide and rotary cutter together. Here are the mats stored under my table and the guide and rotary cutter are hanging on hooks nearby. (Special note- I don't have little children any more so I can do this but I understand that not everyone can.)
#5. Keep a trash bin at your work level. I have two bins in my craft room but the one that is hanging from hooks on my caddy is my favorite. I am not sure on why this is so handy but it is! I think I learned this years ago when I was stamping and scrap booking and would go to stores that had events and they had trash bins hanging off the tables.
#6. Pegboards are awesome. You can store a multitude of items to have at the ready. And they can be pretty too! You can find the stencil that I used from Cutting Edge Stencils on this tutorial... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/organize/storage-ideas/stenciled-pegboard-organizer-8836820
#7. Keep a threaded needle and tweezers on magnets so they are ready at a moment's notice. I am much more likely to sew something if I know the needle is already threaded and ready to go. In this picture, I have a white threaded needle and a silver threaded needle. Below this holder is another magnet with navy and black threaded needles. I keep a tweezers here for my serger mainly. I don't use my serger very often but when I do, I could never find the tweezers. Having threaded needles is not only great for crafts but also, the "Mom, I need a button sewn on." My magnet board tutorial is here http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/walls/leaning-gallery-wall-command-center-7971045 This one is even easier than the tutorial. This one uses paint instead of wallpaper.
#8. Keep like items together in a storage tub. This tub is filled with glues and tapes and sometimes I put brads here too. My idea is this is where to find things that stick or hold things together. If you are like me and you have lots of glues, sometimes it is helpful if they are all in the same place. I have craft glue, white glue, felt glue, super glue and more.
Here is another example of one of my "kits". Not as simple as the glue kit. This one contains, sequins, glitter, dyes, sprays and seed beads. This grouping has worked really well together and it is a favorite storage bin of mine. When a project needs a little something extra or special, I can usually find it here. icon
#9. Use an eraser to clean felt fibers from your cutting mat. I love felt and I use it all the time but it can be messy as it sticks in crevices of the mat. An eraser will pull it out in no time.
 
If you need more storage area, think vertically. This is one of my favorite storage areas. I created a hutch from 2 stair treads, 2 wood crates and furniture legs and it works perfectly to store items above my sewing machine and serger. You can find the details on making this hutch here http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/how-to-take-a-simple-bench-to-a-whole-new-level-28485487


I hope you enjoyed these and I would love to hear your favorite tips!
Frequently asked questions
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3 of 4 questions
  • Barb in Texas Barb in Texas on Jul 10, 2018

    What holds your peg board up? It looks like it's in front of windows, is it like a room divider?

  • Amy48 Amy48 on Nov 23, 2018

    I have a question. I do all my crafts in my living room. I have a large (ugly) storage cabinet behind me that I intend to paint with a weird finish. It is very organized. I used covered oatmeal snack etc boxes that are recivereed. I also used a load if hard that I chalk painted n then labled. Also in there are about 10 magazine racks that are super useful. Right now I have a filing box that has a lid that holds some of my necessities- washi tape glue scissors etc. It also has a top shelf that is about 4 inches deep for current projects. My son has bought me 1 of those lively 3 shelf carts from Ikea. Glue guns are in a cabinet in the kitchen. I use it there because right now I don't have a table space to work on- I do it in my lap or the coffee table across the room. I really want a better setup- utilizing what I have n maybe a few extra purchases. Anyone have any ideas? Please I really need the help. I m physically disabled so getting up n Dow. All the time really slows me.down. I saw above that a TV tray was used thinking that might help. I have some space I. Front of the.cabinet n fireplace where I could store some extra stuff- as long as it was the permanent. Any help would be great




  • Faith Hewes Faith Hewes on Nov 29, 2018

    I noticed your needles on the magnets (which were on the peg board), is part of the peg board magnetized ? I love your setup by the way❣️😉

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  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Aug 15, 2018

    i use TV tray tables for my work tables. My power tools are in the garage where I use them, but I have to improvise a suitable work table. My craft room has a sofa bed that is so heavy, my husband and younger son say that if we ever move, the sofa goes with the house. A rolltop desk should be very helpful, but it hasn’t been yet. One bookcase, a double but small closet and a big tv are loaded and mixed with oodles of bags and bottles of craft supplies, including dozens of empty toilet paper rolls. I know it’s time to purge, but I’ve spent years getting all these supplies. And a table is not a go for me yet. But I’m looking at all these great ideas! ☺️

  • Better_babs Better_babs on Oct 02, 2020

    I have been on here looking for awhile for ideas to inspire some new organization ideas so I can reorganize and deep clean my craft room today and most ideas are the same lackluster ideas that I already use or discarded. I loved your ideas and tips that are actually going to be out to use as I make a kit with my sequins, glitter, etc like you have. Also the felt off the cutting board is brilliant. I could go on but you get the gist that I am inspired by your article so thank you for great new ideas to me!

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