Kinser Event Company: Designing Your Craft Room

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Designing Your Craft Room

I have been having so much fun refurbishing our guest bedroom into a craft room and have been pouring over creative and functional ideas. Here's what I have learned.

Whether it's your hobby or your livelihood, crafting requires space.

A creative soul needs a creative environment and yours may be a dedicated space in your home or you may be fortunate to have entire room devoted to your crafts. Either way, try to surround yourself with things that inspire you, and organize your workspace around decorating solutions that do double duty without doubling the volume.

Seek balance between the inspiring materials that stay out for full viewing pleasure and those elements that go undercover. Doors and drawers, unlike open shelving and counter space, can be closed to help maintain a sense of order. Assign each craft supply to it's own container (inexpensive canning jars offer a pretty way to view embellishments); and beautiful "makings" grouped by category will help keep you organized.

Here are some simple tips to get you started:

1. Set a budget. Furnishings, trims and accessories can be handmade or repurposed from thrift store finds. Invest your money in adequate storage systems and comfortable seating. If you are using an area in a common room, consider getting some shutters or old bi-fold doors. Hinge them together, splash some paint on them that will compliment your room and now you have a screen to section off your craft area!

2. Eliminate Clutter. Your craft room or space should be for crafting only. Resist the urge to use it for exercise equipment, a place to drop your mail, etc.

3. Add color. Your craft space should have splashes of color that reflect your style.

4. Make the most of natural light, and supplement with adequate work light. If possible, arrange your work space by a window to allow fresh air, light and a view.

5. Consider storage options. Floating shelves and bookshelves function well in a craft room because they allow quick and easy access to materials. Use small baskets, cans, boxes and other vessels to sort and hold objects. Gift wrap, paint or collage designs on the containers and label them.

6. Add a gallery space to your work area. This may be a dedicated shelf or a wall; but display some of your finished products.

If you are dreaming of a craft room that is a perfect mix of fabulous and functional, these fresh and fun ideas and photos may turn your dreams into reality. Whatever it takes, enjoy designing and organizing a space a space or decorating a room to inspire your creativity!