My girlfriend Annie took pity on the fact that I didn’t have a craft room of my own to organize and allowed me to help organize her craft room instead. Isn’t she nice, I seriously have the best friends ever!
Annie had just recently painted her new craft room and hadn’t gotten around to pulling it all together yet. Take a look:
We started out with the first step in the PROCESS, the plan. I spent a couple of minutes asking her what types of things needed to be stored in this space, which things she uses most often, what could she remove from the room, etc. Read the complete list of questions to ask yourself BEFORE starting your project here.
What I found out was that Annie needed a place to store her Christmas gift collection, she needed to make room on her table for her sewing machines, she wanted to utilize the dresser for fabric, she didn’t need to store winter coats in this space so they could be removed, the furniture placement was working the way it was but just not being utilized to it’s fullest potential.
We only had a short time frame to get things done and as I looked around the room I wasn’t sure we’d be doing more than a small dent in the space. But we had a plan and knew that even if we only got a portion of the plan done it would still be better than if we didn’t start at all. So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.
As you can see Annie has two small closets in this room (that are still missing their doors but these will go on soon) so we decided to allocate one of them for her Christmas collection and the other for out of season clothes and other things she doesn’t access regularly. We started by removing everything out of the closets into the middle of the room so that we could start with a fresh slate. Annie had an inexpensive shelving unit she wasn’t using in another part of the house that we were able to squeeze perfectly into the left hand closet to help maximize that space as much as possible. She also had those gorgeous fabric bins just sitting in her bathroom not being used so in they went as well. Then we moved around the room collecting all the Christmas loot that was here and there and everywhere and started loading it into the closet. Gift bags were corralled into a recycled bag and hung on a hanger. It all worked perfectly and having everything in one location will help her keep tabs on what she has already purchased saving her money in the long run.
Once we got going and were motivated by the closet completion the rest actually came together much quicker than we thought it would. I worked on clearing the floor of all the clutter next. Most of the bags on the floor were fabric that just needed to be put into their new home in the dresser. Her scrapbooking supplies were allocated to bins and drawers. Once I knew where I was going to put supplies (ie: beads, stickers, papers, etc) it was easy to just move things to where they needed to go. Due to our lack of time I didn’t worry about how organized the drawers were at this point. I knew those could easily be tackled later after I’d left. My goal for that day was to ensure that we had her floor space cleared along with the desk tops.
In just an hour and a half this is what we completed:
I think we were both surprised at how quickly it went but I find that’s usually the case for most organizing projects once you get on a roll like that. The trick is just to start.
Now I’ve left Annie with some homework of course. Her job will be to go through each of the drawers and sort like with like and purge anything that she doesn’t love or need. This shouldn’t take her too long and if she wants it would be nothing to just take or roll out her plastic drawer bins to the living room and organize them as she watches a movie.
Almost everything Annie used in this space she already owned and purchased very inexpensively from garage sales and friends with the exception of the fold up sewing machine table which I believe she purchased from Canadian Tire for $50.00. She also bought the paper sorter new and that was from Michaels. Please read this post I did on Making Do to further inspire you to not let $$ stand in your way from organizing right now.
A big shout out to Annie for sharing her space with me, thanks for the “fix” girl!
If you have any questions about what we did or the tools we used just ask away in the comments.
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evi says
Wow! Two enthusiastic thumbs up for this room! You two did a wonderful job, it looks lovely! If I ever get a crafting-room (one day I will – lot of land to be bought, house to be built… ;->), I will use your hints for it.
I really enjoy your blog and read it almost daily – I got into the menu-planning and keep your ideas of organizing in mind when roaming through my apartment.
Thank you so much for your insights!
all the best from Austria,
evi
Organising Queen says
Gorgeous, Laura
You are SOOO right – the trick is just to start 🙂
How much did she throw out?
Niki says
If I had a craft room I would so organize it all the time. For now I am stuck cleaning up the kids toys. Someday that room will be my scrapbook room. Thanks for the ideas for when that time comes
Marcia "HDMac" McFar says
Well, first of all, I want (sigh.. that is coveting) that table that here sewing machine and serger are on. Perfect for sewing and wide enough for laying and cutting out!
It looks great! Oh.. I was going to take pictures of my craft room last night… the most embarrassing thing!!! Truly… didn’t get to do that but hopefully tonight as my DH has strike duty so won’t be called to do any last minute help for him.. lol… I have done some planning! Part of that involves getting some projects that I am planning for Christmas organized in some storage containers (materials and pattern) and labeling clearly. I have my to do plan list and I need to be honest and ruthless as I go thru. I learned that with my decluttering challenge and Marcia, so need to hit it!!! But believe me … this is not a one day thing! Getting my feet wet tonight after work!
The Roost says
You are so right the key is just getting started! It looks great:)
Jen@OurDailyBigTop says
Wow – what a difference. This just may be the motivation I need to organize our craft room.
carole says
Very impressive!!!!! I wish you could come to my house!
but at last, you’re very inspiring 🙂
Debi says
Well, next time you’re short a room to organize, let me know, okay?
It looks fabulous! I’ll bet she can’t keep herself out of there now and is whipping up projects left and right, isn’t she?
FishMama@LifeasMOM says
I AM inspired! Can you come hang with me today and unpack my school room???? That’s the biggest hurdle right now and I know it has to get worse before it gets better.
Some people have said, “Oh your stuff has been there for a week. You must be settled.” Puhlease…. 6 kids, 6 weeks postpartum, no my house is not unpacked. It’s in the garage — and in various piles. Sigh….
Laura says
Marcia, she actually didn’t need to get rid of too much in this space. Most of it was new that she hadn’t yet found a space for. It all fit in nicely.
Debi, yes I think she was definitely itching to get in there!
FishMama, don’t you listen to those people. It will come together, look at all you’ve accomplished to get to this point. I’m so impressed!
Coco says
HOLY COW? Wanna come be my best friend????
Barbara H. says
Wow, that’s inspiring!!
Oh2122 says
Drool.
I need a good table, but I’m afraid the mess would just spread and envelop it.
se7en says
Wow, come and live with me and organize away!!! Really this looks fantastic – I love the clear surfaces and I know I work so well when surfaces are clear… but oh to put back consistently… hmmm maintenance, maintenance, maintenance… that is actually something I must aim for!
Koningskind says
Wow, it is great to see how organising works out. Seeing this pictures gives me the inspiration to go for it.
Thanks!
Sarah S. Chicken says
Wow. I am always amazed at the difference a plan and a short amount of time makes. I can see that she will be able to work much more effectively now.
Annie says
I love my room darling!!! And it is the showcase to everyone who comes over…this weekend I’ll get into the drawers and stuff!!
Thanks so much for all your help…I’m so thankful for a wonderful friend like you!! You know I’m always ready to be your fix.
The best part about the room is in total it was probably less than $100 (including paint and furniture) because I used stuff around the house!
Angie @ Many Little says
Love it! I would love to have that much room. It looks great!
I have a small craft room (all of 35 sq feet). This is when I cleaned it all up: http://randomangie.blogspot.com/2008/04/tackle-it-tuesday-cleaning-up-my-itty.html
Tara says
Wow! Great job!! I’m a firm believer that you can accomplish a ton more in a short time with lists…Very jealous that she has a whole room for crafts and all I’ve got is a puny desk in my office!! I guess it’s better than nothing! Wanna come to my house and do a room?
Susanne says
Do you have a downstairs storage room, ’cause if not, I’ll suck it up and let you come organize mine to display on your site! ;v)
Seriously you two did a wonderful job. It looks so good.
Katie @ 3Blondes&... says
Oh – if I’d have known you craved organizing a craft room, I would have invited you right over! If only I lived in the same country…
Jessica says
Wow, that is really neat. You did a great job!
Diane says
Wow it looks great. Yes you are right we always think it will take us longer but once we get started it doesnt really take that long.
orneryswife says
Super job, and nice end results! My job is going to take considerably longer. I got the closet emptied, sorted, and re appropriated with actual craft stuff, (as opposed to all the other junk that was in there) and have moved out one piece of furniture that needed a new home. I also have a plan and have spent about two hours sorting ribbon, and flowers.
I really do have an incredible amount of stuff, and not only do I need to refine the organization of it, I am also redecorating the room with some fresh paint and a new throw rug and window treatment. THAT is going to be the time eater. I’ll start in earnest next week once Ornery is on the plane for his three week business trip. Meanwhile, I am weeding out the excess and unwanted supplies. Is there a deadline for this?? 🙂
tm
Sue says
Thank you for taking the time to include the process details. I have so many organizing projects to do that it seems somewhat overwhelming right now. Your description is encouraging.
Rebecca says
Ya know, I feel terrible for you because you don’t have a laundry/scrap storage/Mary Kay storage/whatever else needs to be tossed in there room at your house. You really should come over & organize mine to fill that void. 😉 The room looks great!
GiBee says
Amazing!
But I still think mine will take about 10 days.
Forgetfulone says
Fantastic transformation!
Alicia says
Wow! Awesome! I’ve been working on mine too!
Tina says
2 years ago I moved in to my now husbands house, as I looked around I saw a very beautiful home, 4 bedrooms and 3 bath and a big family room. One room missing, a sewing room for me.
So I told him I wanted the utility room in the basement, it holds the vaccume system and hotwater tank. He thought I was crazy, but I had a vision….
It was the very first time that I was starting from scratch and I loved every minute of making it my little hide out from the household duties.
I am so organized now andI can close the door and no one sees my projects taking over the room.
Keep crafting…Tina Hales
Merciful Blessings says
Hi!!! I really like how you used Anne’s existing furniture; totaly cost effective. I hope to one day have my own craft room && when I do using the existing furniture will be key to saving money while decorating/organizing!!!
XoXo~Bless Up Always~XoXo
Mercy of MB_WOO.MOM
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