Stickybeak of the Week: A Junk Room Gets a Crafty Makeover
Discover how design blogger Maya Anderson transformed a room full of clutter into a creative studio
While some of us may see under-utilised space in the house as the perfect dumping ground for miscellaneous bits and bobs, others see it as an opportunity to really create something useful for themselves and their lifestyle, and this week’s Stickybeak of the Week is the perfect example. Beneath all the clutter in Maya Anderson’s spare room, lay a creative sanctuary waiting to be uncovered. Anderson, House Nerd blogger and self-confessed design junkie, decided to transform her former junk room (or her ‘Monica’s closet’, as she calls it, in a nod to that Friends episode) into her personal craft room.
After moving into their new digs as newlyweds, Anderson and her husband (affectionately nicknamed ‘Mr Nerd’) slowly unpacked and settled in, only later realising their spare room had earned junk room status. “[The room] dragged my energy down every time I had to go in there and, over time, it became unbearable and I knew something had to be done about it,” Anderson explains. Armed with inspiration, ideas and useful tips from interior designer friend Nelly Reffet of Twinkle and Whistle, she embarked on a project to design the ultimate space to let her creativity run wild. Here’s how she did it.
After moving into their new digs as newlyweds, Anderson and her husband (affectionately nicknamed ‘Mr Nerd’) slowly unpacked and settled in, only later realising their spare room had earned junk room status. “[The room] dragged my energy down every time I had to go in there and, over time, it became unbearable and I knew something had to be done about it,” Anderson explains. Armed with inspiration, ideas and useful tips from interior designer friend Nelly Reffet of Twinkle and Whistle, she embarked on a project to design the ultimate space to let her creativity run wild. Here’s how she did it.
Before the transformation, the room seemed to repel light and the clutter that resulted from the move made the space feel small and enclosed. However, its potential was clear – the parquetry flooring and blank walls hinted at the perfect blank canvas for a crafty makeover.
The first hurdle Anderson faced was the dreaded task of making order out of chaos. The process was slow, but necessary.
To get the ball rolling, she decided to “decorate for now”, making use of everything she already owned instead of waiting until she could afford to buy her dream pieces of furniture. She donated a large portion to her local charity, letting go of old knick-knacks.
To get the ball rolling, she decided to “decorate for now”, making use of everything she already owned instead of waiting until she could afford to buy her dream pieces of furniture. She donated a large portion to her local charity, letting go of old knick-knacks.
“Most of the things I already owned – including the tables and the IKEA shelving – and the other pieces I picked up cheaply from vintage markets, the side of the road or Gumtree,” Anderson explains.
One of her prized collectables is the tea chest used as a side table next to the desk. Anderson bought it while scouring Gumtree in Melbourne. ‘It was from a lovely lady who also sold me a vintage suitcase and some old tea boxes,” she says.
One of her prized collectables is the tea chest used as a side table next to the desk. Anderson bought it while scouring Gumtree in Melbourne. ‘It was from a lovely lady who also sold me a vintage suitcase and some old tea boxes,” she says.
This old sugar tin was a second-hand find from a market. Anderson paid $3 for it and now uses it as a unique rubbish bin.
This wooden bookcase was another gem Anderson found at a second-hand market and bought at a bargain price of $20. It’s now filled with craft books and decorating bibles.
Not even the light switch was left untouched. In true crafter fashion, she covered it in Washi tape.
Not even the light switch was left untouched. In true crafter fashion, she covered it in Washi tape.
“The hardest thing was making the most of the small space and keeping the little room from feeling cramped,” Anderson says.
To make the room feel larger and more ordered, Anderson used the large IKEA storage unit she already owned to neatly organise her crafting essentials including her paint sets and scrap paper. She also moved the desk to the centre of the room, a position which wasn’t her first choice but worked well in creating the illusion of more space.
To make the room feel larger and more ordered, Anderson used the large IKEA storage unit she already owned to neatly organise her crafting essentials including her paint sets and scrap paper. She also moved the desk to the centre of the room, a position which wasn’t her first choice but worked well in creating the illusion of more space.
The multiple nooks of the storage unit keep all of Anderson’s craft tools within easy reach. Wooden boxes and a cane basket, bought at second-hand markets and stationary stores such as Typo, keep the smaller items together.
The mix of old, new and worldly souvenirs populating the room showcases Anderson’s style and adds warmth to the space.
The mix of old, new and worldly souvenirs populating the room showcases Anderson’s style and adds warmth to the space.
Replacing the timber blinds with sheer curtains allowed the natural light to flow through and makes the space feel fresh and open.
A small succulent on the windowsill is a homely feature that breathes new life into the room.
A small succulent on the windowsill is a homely feature that breathes new life into the room.
Anderson stores her colourful Washi tape collection on her desk in a glass jar so she can easily spot the patterns.
The wire basket was originally intended to store the kindle for the fireplace, but it served a much better purpose in the craft room. The wicker basket she found on the side of the road and it now holds all of her gift wrapping ribbons.
Wire basket: Target
Wire basket: Target
The desk lamp was another feature of the room Anderson had bought a few years prior from IKEA. It now brightens up her workspace as essential task lighting.
Here’s the inspiration board to the wall where she posts her favourite designs, pictures and photographs to get her creative juices flowing.
What’s really special about this little junk room-turned-craft room is the way in which Anderson has made it her own. Everything in the room has been chosen with care and has its own story. The pencil tin which has pride of place on her desk next to other crafting tools was a souvenir bought during a trip to Florence.
The once under-utilised space has finally found its purpose with Anderson giving the completed craft room a work-out – using it to revamp furniture, wrap presents and gather inspiration for future decorating projects.
More: Second-Hand Steals: How to Redecorate on a Shoestring
TELL US
Have you transformed your spare room into a more useful space? What do you use it for? Let us know in the comments section.
More: Second-Hand Steals: How to Redecorate on a Shoestring
TELL US
Have you transformed your spare room into a more useful space? What do you use it for? Let us know in the comments section.