Ah, the eternal quest for an organized home! It turns out I share a common bond with many of you, channeling my inner Monica Geller – not necessarily in my day-to-day life, but definitely when it comes to the deep-seated desire for order, especially in those hidden corners. I frequently receive questions that echo this sentiment, often from fellow crafters struggling with their own creative chaos:
- “I was hoping you could tell us how you organize your crafty supplies…mine seem to be spread all over the house!” – Chris
- “Can you give us a peek at how/where you store your craft stuff? Is it obvious that I’m kind of hoping you have a secret Monica Geller closet?” – Katie
For the longest time, my responses were a blend of strained admissions and hopeful promises. I’d stammer something about our craft closet being a monumental disaster, a terrifying abyss residing in our guest room – a place where unsuspecting visitors might accidentally stumble upon a scene of utter pandemonium. Everything, I’d confess, was haphazardly piled into a few baskets, with a significant number of paper grocery bags holding the overflow. “I really should get on that,” I’d tell myself, and you all, “I’d love to organize it and share the details with you guys!”
But dear readers, I’m thrilled to announce that the exasperation finally outweighed the procrastination. The sheer frustration of navigating that ever-growing mountain of craft supplies became the catalyst I needed. So, after months of living with this creative conundrum, I finally rolled up my sleeves and tackled the previously untamable chaos that was once affectionately, or perhaps fearfully, known as “the craft closet.” Prepare yourselves, because here’s a glimpse into the raw, unedited reality – my shameful, yet somewhat hilarious, before shot of the guest room closet. I assure you, this wasn’t staged for dramatic effect; it genuinely looked like this for what felt like an eternity.
And now, for the grand reveal! Get ready for the “how you like me now” after. In the always applicable words of Jay Z… “GET YOUR DANG HANDS UP.” (Though, if you’re at work, a quiet, celebratory fist pump will suffice. I’ll wave mine around for both of us.) This transformation isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about reclaiming space, restoring sanity, and reigniting creative inspiration.
Why My Craft Supplies Found a Home in the Guest Room
You might be wondering, why the guest room? It’s a valid question. This particular room boasts the prettiest view in our house, bathed in gorgeous afternoon light – a truly idyllic setting. My long-term dream involves sneaking in there on Sunday afternoons to sew or paint, enjoying the peaceful ambiance. Ultimately, I envision transforming this space into a true multi-tasker. While we do host guests occasionally, we believe in making every room work harder. The goal is to eventually introduce a dresser or desk that can comfortably accommodate my sewing machine, making it a functional craft nook that seamlessly blends with its guest-friendly purpose. This approach maximizes our home’s footprint and ensures that even rarely used spaces contribute to our daily joy and productivity. It’s about creating a harmonious blend of hospitality and personal creative pursuit, proving that even a guest room can double as a dynamic studio space with thoughtful organization.
A Deeper Look at the Disorder: The Pre-Organization Tour
Before we delve into the magic of organization, let’s take a moment to truly appreciate the “before.” Does it not look like The Rolling Stones had a wild, rockstar-style stay here, trashing it like a truly fabulous hotel room? Except, instead of smashed guitars, we have an abundance of Hello Kitty paraphernalia and craft supplies run amok. This wasn’t just a messy closet; it was a testament to creative abandon, a repository of half-finished projects and forgotten treasures waiting to be rediscovered. It’s a common struggle for crafters – the sheer volume of supplies can quickly overwhelm any space, turning aspirations into anxiety.
Stepping into the closet and turning right, you’d be greeted by this sight. There’s a small alcove in there, which, predictably, became just as packed with floor-covering junk as the main section. Every inch of available horizontal space was taken over, making it impossible to find anything efficiently. This visual clutter alone was enough to stifle any burgeoning creative urge, turning what should have been an inspiring space into a daunting task.
And let’s not forget the spillover! A significant portion of my craft supplies had migrated downstairs, colonizing the dining table. This wasn’t just a temporary setup; it was a permanent state of affairs, transforming our dining area into an extension of the craft zone. In truth, the dining table looked even more chaotic than the closet itself. For a truly immersive, 3D experience of the “before,” you can check out this house tour video, where the full extent of the mess is painfully, yet hilariously, evident.
The Path to Craft Closet Organization: My Step-by-Step Approach
Step 1: Fueling the Mission (with Chocolate!) and Initial Purge
Every major organizing project in my life begins with a crucial first step: chocolate. So, before I plunged headfirst into the depths of the closet, I armed myself with a few Hershey’s Kisses – dark chocolate, of course (don’t even try to convince me milk chocolate is superior; we’ll have words). With my morale boosted, it was time for business. The very first task was to dump out the large paper bag that had been holding a substantial amount of craft supplies since our move seven months prior. Yes, you read that right – seven months! It was long overdue, and the immediate liberation of these items from their dusty confines felt like a small victory in itself. This initial purge is vital; it helps you see exactly what you have and provides a clean slate for categorizing and decluttering. Out with the old, in with the order!
Step 2: Introducing the Game-Changers – Smart Storage Solutions
With the initial chaos addressed, it was time to bring in the heavy hitters. My daughter, Clara, enthusiastically helped me assemble one of my two secret weapons for this closet transformation: a versatile Raskog cart from Ikea. Originally, I had contemplated purchasing a multitude of those ubiquitous plastic bins and drawers from Target. However, a moment of clarity (and past experience with cheap, flimsy storage) led me to a different conclusion. I realized that investing in two larger, more substantial, and dare I say, cuter, storage items would provide a more sustainable solution for keeping things under control in the long run. Our storage areas, like garages and attics, often spiral out of control when filled with an array of cheap plastic systems that tend to get overfilled, jammed, and eventually broken. The lesson here is simple: know thyself and your organizational habits. Durable, well-designed pieces offer better functionality and aesthetic appeal, encouraging long-term tidiness. These aren’t just storage solutions; they’re commitments to lasting organization.
After a short hiatus from the project (the nursery painting unexpectedly jumped to the top of my priority list – such is life!), I eventually refocused my energy on “The Closet Of Doom.” My next strategic addition was this folding shelf, a trusty piece we’ve owned for over eight years (I believe it originally hailed from Bed Bath & Beyond). This shelf was perfectly suited for that right-hand alcove. My reasoning was simple yet profound: going vertical made infinitely more sense than allowing items to sprawl all over the floor. Utilizing vertical space is a cornerstone of effective small-space organization, transforming unused air space into valuable storage real estate. It creates visual order and makes every item more accessible, preventing the dreaded “pile-up” effect.
The other indispensable Ikea item we acquired was this sleek white five-drawer cabinet. And here’s where my inner bargain hunter shone: I spotted it in the “as-is” section, a glorious 25% off! I tried to play it cool, but honestly, I sprinted over and claimed it like the Hamburglar making off with some tasty treats. The fact that it featured five awesomely smooth (read: non-plastic) drawers of varying heights made it an absolute dream for organizing an array of supplies like paints, brushes, sprays, and paint pens. The bonus? It was already assembled! This cabinet isn’t just functional; it’s stylish enough that I actually envision it living outside the closet down the line. Perhaps if I set up a dedicated sewing desk on another wall of this guest room, this cabinet could slip neatly underneath, with the Raskog cart positioned beside it. This speaks to the beauty of versatile, attractive storage pieces – they can evolve with your needs and even enhance a room’s decor, rather than being relegated to hidden spaces.
A Closer Look: What Goes Where in My Organized Craft Closet
With the new furniture in place, it was time to give every craft item a proper home. The remaining storage elements in the closet are items we already owned, seamlessly integrated into the new system. This includes that fantastic hanging fabric cubby (a treasure from Ikea years ago) and the ceramic planter, which now efficiently corrals all of our wrapping paper and tissue paper. Let’s break down the contents of each organized zone:
The Rolling Raskog Cart: Your Mobile Craft Station
The versatile Raskog cart truly lives up to its reputation as a crafter’s best friend. Its mobility and multi-tiered design make it perfect for grouping related items that you might need to move around your creative space.
- The top bin is dedicated to various art notebooks, sketch pads, a few canvases awaiting inspiration, and even a rolled-up placemat that I’m keen to transform into a stencil someday.
- The second bin intelligently houses all my wood items: dowels, wood plaques, various pieces of scrap wood perfect for small projects, and even a few charming wood slices destined for future creative endeavors.
- The third, bottom bin holds all my heavier crafting artillery: the trusty staple gun, a well-loved glue gun, along with their essential accessories like staples, glue sticks, and decorative nailheads. Grouping these heavier tools here keeps the cart stable and easily accessible.
Hanging Cubbies: Gift Wrapping Central
The hanging cubbies, strategically placed for easy access, are now exclusively devoted to all things gift wrapping. This includes ribbons, bows, gift tags, small boxes, and other embellishments that were once scattered and hard to find. Having everything in one dedicated spot makes gift preparation a joy, not a scavenger hunt.
The Wooden Shelf Alcove: Fabric Haven
The wooden shelf that I tucked into that formerly neglected corner alcove is now a dedicated haven for all my fabric. It’s neatly housed in old Ikea bins from a few years back, transforming a jumbled mess into an accessible library of textiles. Yes, I admit, I have TONS of fabric – largely accumulated thanks to Clara’s delightful photo project. Despite having already made her a quilt, a charming birthday banner, an elegant table runner, a cozy beanbag, and a host of other random things, I still have a vast collection. I smell many more projects on the horizon! Most of this fabric used to be piled haphazardly in the storage room, but it feels infinitely more organized and inspiring right here, ready for its next transformation. There’s also ample floor space in front of the shelf for my sewing machine to sit, and I’m currently experimenting with keeping it in the guest room to encourage more frequent use. The goal is to make it so inviting that I can’t resist sitting down to sew. If that doesn’t work out, it’s back in the closet for him, but for now, we’re giving this “sewing nook” dream a shot!
The Star of the Show: The IKEA Cabinet Drawers
Now, let’s get to my absolute favorite part of this entire organizational overhaul: the drawers of our slick little white cabinet. These drawers are not just storage; they are miniature galleries of creative potential, making every art supply a joy to access.
The top drawer is a vibrant collection of various acrylic paints, neatly arranged alongside small containers of varnish and sealant, and even some specialized ceramic paint. Categorizing paints by type ensures that I can quickly grab exactly what I need for any project, big or small.
The second drawer is a treasure trove of tools: housing all of my brushes, various stamping tools, an array of colorful paint pens, and a collection of colored Sharpies. Keeping these essentials together ensures they are protected and always ready for the next stroke of inspiration.
The third drawer thoughtfully contains various test pots of paint – these seemingly small containers are surprisingly useful for random projects like this patterned wall, this artistic creation, this bold design, and this clever clock makeover. They’re perfectly complemented by a few larger cans of spray sealers, keeping all my finishing touches in one convenient place.
The fourth drawer is dedicated to all my fine art store supplies. Here you’ll find my oil paints, delicate watercolors, versatile watercolor pencils, rich charcoals, and a few miscellaneous items like a small set of markers and clothespins. This drawer is a capsule of artistic possibility, neatly contained and protected.
And finally, the fifth drawer is where I keep all my embellishments and decorative elements: stampers, a variety of ink pads, an assortment of stickers, decals, the ever-popular washi tape, and other versatile supplies like twine and string. This drawer is a burst of creative potential, perfect for adding those final, personal touches to any project.
The Top Shelf: Essential Overstock & Sewing Kit
Oh, and let’s not overlook the top shelf of the closet. Here, a wire bin (a fantastic find from Target about three years ago) is brimming with fabric pouches. Apparently, I have a slight hoarding problem with these, but they are incredibly useful! I love them for keeping Clara’s small toys perfectly contained (all her plastic animals in one, all her tiny Legos in another, etc.). They’re also wonderfully sweet for “wrapping” various gifts for friends in mere seconds – no tape or ribbon required! Adjacent to this is my faithful blue sewing box, which has been my go-to for years. It houses all my essential sewing notions: thread, needles, extra bobbins, sharp scissors, a trusty seam ripper, and more. Everything I need for quick repairs or small sewing projects is right at my fingertips.
Future Enhancements for a Truly Multi-Functional Space
To fully optimize this guest room closet, I’m planning a few more practical additions. Specifically, I intend to add a few hooks to the inside of the door. Since the main clothing bar is currently dedicated to fabric storage, these hooks will provide a convenient spot for guests to hang their clothes or towels. We rarely host anyone with a full wardrobe on hangers, so these simple hooks should do the trick perfectly, ensuring our guests feel comfortable and accommodated without compromising my crafting space.
The Unbelievable Transformation: From Chaos to Calm
Yes, I’m still doing my celebratory hand-waving! It’s truly unbelievable to witness such a ridiculous, sprawling mess of a closet transform into a zone of absolute calm and order. Currently, it’s home to precisely 0.00 chaos, and that brings me immense satisfaction. However, I’m also a realist. As any crafter knows, maintaining organization is an ongoing battle. So, you might want to check back with me in a few months. These things can go one of two ways: either it remains a pristine beacon of organization, or it slowly, subtly, begins its descent back into a charmingly creative state of disarray. Here’s hoping for the former, but I’m prepared for either outcome!
Join the Conversation: Share Your Craft Organization Secrets!
Now it’s your turn! Does anyone else have ingenious tips for organizing craft supplies, wrestling with gift wrapping paraphernalia, or wrangling tons of fabric? Who among you is also channeling their inner Monica Geller, battling a closet (or an entire room!) full of creative insanity? Let’s commiserate, celebrate, and share our best strategies. Your insights could be the next game-changer for a fellow crafter!