One thing that will change your life? A pegboard.
By Rachel Mae Smith, Martha Stewart
Nothing slows down a project like a messy craft room. You can't find the supplies you need or even see what you have. Even worse, disorder can limit creativity. When you’re too focused on the mess, there's less time to daydream about what you’re capable of making—and that's no good.
In an ideal world, we would put away all our tools and tidy up as we work, but that's just not how it happens. Sometimes, you have to get a little messy! Instead of forcing yourself to be perfect and neat, try devising a craft storage system that works with you and the way you work.
Here are some tried and true tips that will help you want to clean up after a project, allowing you to spend less time tidying and more time doing the important things, like shopping for shoes online.
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First and Foremost, Ditch the Clutter
I know that as crafters we want to save everything from yogurt lids to old candy tins in the hopes of using them someday. But if you don't have an immediate plan for an item, or if it's not a material you use frequently, don’t let it collect dust in your space. Trust me, I know that ribbon scrap is pretty, but the odds of ever using it are low. Once your space is full of tools and materials you turn to regularly, it will be easier to organize.
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Separate Your Supplies
Grouping things by type or function will help you find what you’re looking for faster: all the tape in one drawer, all the glues in another, all the brushes in a bin, and so on. This also makes putting materials away easier because you immediately know what goes where without having to find a new place to put it. For miscellaneous items, try grouping them into categories by type of craft if you don’t have enough to warrant individual containers.
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When It Comes to Storage, Think Outside the Box
I love open containers for organization. They help me access and put away items quickly while allowing me to display some of my prettier supplies. For example, mason jars are perfect for corralling paintbrushes and scissors, and wire baskets are great for showing off a washi tape collection. If you've got a small space, consider an over-the-door shoe organizer—you stash supplies in all the compartments.
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Not So Into Open Storage? Try Labeling and Decorating Boxes Instead
You can paint plain boxes from craft stores, or give an old shoebox a DIY makeover with pretty paper and decoupage.
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Make Space
You can put your supplies into boxes all you want, but if you don’t have a set place to put everything, it will just end up getting disorganized again. Clear a small section of your home, whether a corner or a closet or a shelf on a bookcase, and dedicate it expressly to your supplies. Not only will things be easier to locate when you need them, you're also less likely to mix up non-craft-related items with your supplies. Wall shelves and pegboards are a great solution if you're tight on floor space.
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Find A Way To Display Your Supplies That's as Decorative as it is Functional
For example, if you're storing paints in a basket instead of loose on a shelf, make sure the tubes are tightly closed and stored upside down. You’ll be able to see and grab colors faster, and putting them in rainbow order is always fun to do! Any type of material with a pretty label also looks good grouped together on open shelving.
See more at: Martha Stewart
