DIY: How to Organize a Craft Space

Do you spend more time looking for materials than you do crafting? Do you forget where you stored a particular craft item? If you answered "yes" to either or both of these questions, it may be time to organize your craft space. Here are some tips to start those creative juices flowing:

Start off fresh. It's easier to visualize a space when it's empty rather than cluttered with stuff. With everything out of the room, it would be a good time to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Try an active color like red, orange or yellow to inspire creativity. Whatever color you choose, a medium to light shade would work best. This would enhance the light in the room. Too dark a color would not be invigorating and would make it hard to see your projects.

Decide what you want to do in there. Is this a space that you will only do crafts in, or would you read or watch TV in there also? Trying to do too much in one space will result in clutter again, so have reasonable expectations.

Multi-purpose furniture and fixtures. If you will be doing more than one thing in your craft space, try to pick furniture that has a dual purpose. For instance, choose a table that can be used to cut out fabric. Since they tend to be higher than a regular table, put a couple of comfortable bar stools by the table so you can sit at the table to do scrap booking. Perhaps a folding table would work better so it can be stored for more space in your craft room. If there are existing shelves in the room that are too deep or spaced too far apart, put stackable drawers on the shelves to make them more useful.

Organize supplies by use. If there is a sewing machine in your craft space, put all your sewing notions on shelves above your sewing machine. Put all your scrap booking supplies together. This way you can go to one area of the room and will save you time searching. Be sure to keep frequently used items in easy reach.

Have a variety of storage options. There is nothing more aggravating than having a big storage container with one small item in taking up valuable space. Or not having enough drawer space. There is an abundance of storage solutions on organize.com. Also, think outside the box. Just because something has one intended purpose doesn't mean you have to use it for such. Spice jars are great for buttons or other small notion. Since they are clear, you can immediately identify the contents. Don't be afraid to make your own storage containers. Take a paper box and cover it with fabric to match your decor and use it to store fabric.

Organizing your craft space may take a little effort, but it will be well worth it in the long run. And you may find that organizing your craft space is as fun as crafting.