Crafts and hobbies are a important part of life for many people, but organizing a hobby work area and keeping it organized and tidy can be a challenge. Click here for more organizing ideas for your home, office or garage. This is an even harder thing to do if you have only small space available. Choose the best from the following ideas and use them as they best work for you. Adapt them to suit your own needs and even use more than one idea together.
Use the Right Containers
You must have a big enough container to hold everything for your craft. Using lots of little boxes creates even more clutter. The space you need will depend on what crafts you are doing. For example, I love to do papier mache, and all my paste, paper, paints, brushes, glues, etc. fit in a box that’s only about two feet square. But my mother used to sew, and I know from her experience that sewing can easily take over the whole room, so you’ll definitely need a bigger container for that.
Craft supplies often fit nicely into small cabinets, particularly if they have drawers. Buy old ones at garage sales and paint or finish them attractively so that they fit with the rest of the furniture in your room.
Containers on wheels are great if you need to keep your supplies in a different place from you use them. Check your hardware store for those great clear plastic drawer units in various sizes.
You can sometimes put up shelves just in the area where you craft. Just make sure you put all your supplies in good looking containers that fit the shelves. Untidy cluttered craft shelves can ruin your whole room.
What’s the best craft location for you?
Again, this can depend on what your craft or hobby is. My husband builds big radio controlled airplanes, and he took over our entire spare bedroom. You may need an understanding spouse for this type of activity!
Some crafts take relatively little space and can be accommodated in the corner of a bedroom, living room, garage or basement. If the space is uncomfortable or unattractive, you’re unlikely to do much craft work, so stop any drafts and put in nice bright lighting. If you use electrical equipment, you’ll also need ready access to outlets and you don’t want cords stretched across a room as an invitation for you and others to trip.
A big wardrobe, armoire or cupboard can serve as both workspace and container. One woman uses one large wardrobe to accommodate two crafts: knitting and beadwork.
Using the right containers is the big secret to having a great, organized area for your craft or hobby.
