Get Sorted: The Joy of an Organised Craft Area
Crafting is a great hobby, but all the bits and pieces can become a source of clutter at home. Here's how to fix that
Amy Revell
29 August 2019
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering. I'm based in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and work with women to help them create the beautiful homes they've always dreamed of. As an author, speaker and podcaster, I love all things decluttering and embrace the freedom that minimalism brings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering.... More
Whether you’re knitting, scrap booking, stamping, sewing or painting, crafting requires lots of supplies and equipment. Here’s how to keep everything you need together and neatly organised.
The same principles apply when it comes to organising your craft supplies, regardless of whether you have a craft room, a crafting station or work at the kitchen table.
First, you need to decide which craft activities you realistically wish to continue doing. Most crafters have tried their hand at two or more (alright, more likely a dozen) different crafts and are therefore likely to have some supplies for a hobby they no longer do.
Find a professional organiser or storage designer near you on Houzz to custom-design storage solutions for your home
Find a professional organiser or storage designer near you on Houzz to custom-design storage solutions for your home
If you know instantly that you’re not going to pursue a particular craft again, bundle up your supplies and sell or donate them if they’re in good enough condition.
If you’re really not sure about a particular craft, place all the supplies and equipment for that activity in a box. If you haven’t used it in 12 months, you can be confident in letting go of those supplies.
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Putting Something in Storage
If you’re really not sure about a particular craft, place all the supplies and equipment for that activity in a box. If you haven’t used it in 12 months, you can be confident in letting go of those supplies.
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Putting Something in Storage
After you’ve decided which crafting activities you’re going to keep the supplies for, you’re ready for organising time. I love organising craft rooms and craft areas as it’s quite easy once you set up a system.
I recommend using clear storage containers, with lids if possible, for all your craft supplies. Whether it’s paint, material, paper, stamps, candles or tools, by organising all items by category you’re going to be able to find things easily. This is also great for seeing how much you have of certain supplies.
Once you have all your different scissors together, you’ll be able to see how many you really have (which is usually about twice the number you expected). I’m a huge fan of labelling craft supplies so you can browse your containers to see what you have in one glance.
10 Smart Tricks to Find Extra Storage at Home
10 Smart Tricks to Find Extra Storage at Home
If you have a craft room, your storage containers or boxes can sit on shelves. If you have a small craft nook or if your craft supplies need to be packed away when not in use, you can still store the smaller boxes within a large storage container rather than throwing all your equipment in together. This way, when you bring out your craft box you can easily unpack it and have everything at hand.
One of the challenges of crafting is that inevitably you end up with craft supplies that you no longer need, even if you’re still pursuing that craft. Fashion and materials change and it can be difficult to part with supplies you’ve paid good money for.
If you’re not sure whether to keep or let go of a particular craft supply, a good question to ask yourself is, ‘Do I have a realistic plan to use this in the future?’.
If you keep every single craft item you’ve ever bought, your craft area is going to become very cluttered, which is likely to deter you from sitting down to do the activity that’s meant to bring you joy.
Does it Spark Joy? The Art of Decluttering, Japanese Style
Does it Spark Joy? The Art of Decluttering, Japanese Style
So my top tips for having an organised craft area are to declutter supplies that you no longer use, keep them in (preferably clear) storage containers, sort like with like, and group your containers together so you can easily bring everything out and pack it away.
If you feel like you’ve gone a bit stale on crafting or if you can’t find the creativity or motivation to get into it, try decluttering and organising your supplies. You’ll be surprised how quickly your passion for it returns, and you can enjoy the benefits of a creative hobby without the chaos and mess.
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Your turn
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More
Want more organising advice? Don’t miss this A Stylish Home With Kids? Here’s How
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Thank you for recognising this important part of many people's lives!!!! I am dismayed at the number of project homes, houses, villas, retirement homes that do not provide space for creativity ... let alone a shed outside! This is more important to wellbeing than a third bathroom, butler's pantry, 'media room' (which I'd use for craft!) Craft, and encouraging kids crafts, is so important as boredom is never a problem for crafter's!!! Rainy weather, mobility problems, retirement don't stop busyness for crafter's! Oh, and a study can be in a craft room too. Can designers bring back Multi Purpose Rooms again please!!!! I love my MPR, and love being able to shut the door leaving my projects in progress, without packing it away to hide the 'mess'!
I'm the worst at decluttering as I haven't moved house in 30 years - but if I were to set up my craft properly I like the idea of an 'island' cupboard to be rolled out for use, stores all craft, and rolled away to a corner when (if) finished.
Moving home every few years definitely helps to keep clutter and possessions in control!