CRAFTROOM STORAGE, ORGANIZATION AND THOROUGH CLEANING TIPS by Sophie
I’m terrible at sticking to a cleaning schedule. I always have good intentions but I never see it through. It’s even worse when it’s my art room. Probably because it’s overwhelming – there’s so much to do and I just don’t have the time and I can be lazy as ****. I’ve got better things to do than clean! We all do really. I don’t think anyone really likes to wash the walls. For their sake, I hope not. I very briefly considered paying someone to do my cleaning for me but that won’t work because I’m the type of person that would clean before the maid shows up.
The only option left was to bite the bullet and do it myself and that’s what I did. There was no way around it – it wasn’t fun but it needed doing. I cleaned first then I organized my little (medium-sized?) butt off. I don’t mind organizing really – I quite enjoy it, it’s the “getting to the organizing” part that I don’t like. This year, I followed a system that worked quite well. It took out the pain and suffering from the inevitable chores that I needed to do.
I’ve divided this post into two sections. The first is called “Craftroom Cleaning & Organizing”. In this section I share with you what worked for me in terms of cleaning and organizing my craftroom. Pretty straightforward right? I’ve also added a free and printable checklist that will help you along the way.
The second section is called “Craftroom Storage Solutions”. I give you a list of DIY Storage Solutions as well as some suggestions of products and cleaners that you can buy. I’ve chosen products provided by our affiliates which I believe are of good quality. If you click the link and decide to buy from them we’ll receive a small commission. It’s one way that I keep this blog going and it would be very much appreciated if you could support us in this way. Don’t worry the prices are the same through this site or directly with the company - nothing changes.
Alight, let’s get to the fun:
CRAFTROOM CLEANING & ORGANIZING
1. FIRST THINGS FIRST: DE-CLUTTER & TIDY UP:
“Put a stop to feeling overwhelmed by quickly tidying up and putting things where they belong. Don’t worry about organizing or cleaning just yet - just tidy up.”
If you’re anything like me, your craftroom is an organized chaos… until you can’t find what you’re looking for. It get’s really overwhelming when you walk in ready to clean and see a huge mess. At this point, instead of giving up, remind yourself to take it one step at a time. First things first: tidy up. Take 30 minutes to just put your clutter where it belongs. Don’t worry about organizing or cleaning or anything like that – just tidy up. Put the paint bottle where the paint bottles go, put your craft papers in a bunch on a shelf, throw out the garbage, bring your empty coffee mugs to the sink, and so on. Get the idea?
2. REMOVE EVERYTHING:
“Remove everything and put it in another room or the hallway. This’ll make your deep cleaning so much easier. You’ll get to the nooks and crannies that you don’t usually get to and the room will feel super clean.”
Once you’ve removed the clutter, remove everything from your craftroom. YEP! I’m crazy. I know, it seems extreme but trust me you’ll thank yourself later. I well aware this might be impossible for some people but try to remove as much as you can. Put the stuff temporarily into another room or a closet. This will make the real cleaning so much easier. You’ll be able to get all the nooks and crannies that you don’t usually get to and when you’re done your cleaning you’ll feel like you actually REALLY cleaned. You’ll make a mess in another room but just remember everything will be right back where it’s suppose to be in no time. Plus, the clutter in the other room will be so annoying to look at, it’ll kick you into high gear to get your art room cleaning done.
3. CLEAN THE HELL OUT OF YOUR CRAFTROOM:
“Start cleaning with one chore at a time. Take small breaks between chores”
Start with one cleaning chore at a time and follow a schedule. Something like this: dust, sweep or vacuum, wash the walls/ceiling (depending on how much of a deep cleaning you want to do), wash the windows, vacuum out drawers, wash the shelves/tables, etc. If you’re overwhelmed, take a break between chores – walk your dog, call a friend, read a chapter of your book, drink a beer (my fave), do whatever you have to do to distract yourself for 5-15 minutes. Then go back and do the next chore. Next time, push yourself and try to do two chores without taking a break. Before you know it, your art room will be spick and span. Use this FREE and printable Art Room Cleaning and Organizing Checklist to keep track of your cleaning and to help you on to the best part: organizing.
4. ORGANIZE:
“Organize as you go. Throw away or give away things you no longer use. Bunch all similar items together into boxes, storage racks or shelves. Use this FREE checklist to categorize your items”
Now that your craftroom is super clean, put everything back and while you’re doing that throw out or donate everything that you don’t use. Organize as you go! Bunch all similar art supplies and craft items together. Use this FREE Art Room Cleaning and Organizing Printable Checklist to keep track of your organization and for ideas on organization categories.
It’s also probably a good idea to organize your items outside of your craft room so that you don’t lose your mind and give up. Make sure to label everything (I’m a labelling geek!). If you’re really into a certain craft or art form, keep all those supplies together in a drawer, shelf or storage box. For example, recently I was really into making fabric & bead jewelry and accessories for an upcoming fashion show – I kept all the supplies I needed in a medium-sized storage box. When I felt like working on this project, I would just take out the box and get to work either in my art room or in my living room. Usually the latter ’cause Bernadette likes to cuddle with me on the couch while I craft <3
For larger items, your obviously not going to keep them in a drawer or box so give them their allocated space. Keep them together. If it’s a closet, keep a list taped to the inside of the closet door or in your craft room so you know what’s in the closet when you’re looking for it. If you don’t have a dedicated closet for your larger items – set up a shelving unit in the corner of your room or even hooks – whatever works for your large items. I use to keep all my big canvases and cutting mats under my bed. I didn’t like it but it worked until I had a room dedicated to my art supplies.
5. KEEP BEING TIDY:
“Devote 30 minutes each day to tidying up – and that means your craftroom too.”
I don’t know where I got it from but one day I was reading something and the author suggested to devote 30 minutes each day at the same time of day to tidying up. This was the best cleaning advise I’ve ever gotten. Every day (well give or take 
a few days) as soon as I give Bernadette her afternoon walk I come back home and spend 30 minutes tidying up. Not cleaning – only tidying up. Picking up stuff that’s lying around, unloading the dishwasher, making my bed, starting a load of laundry, folding laundry, quick sweeping, etc.
This has stuck with me and has done wonders for keeping my place tidy. And I feel so much better everyday with a clean and tidy place.
When your tidying your house, make sure that your craftroom is a part of your routine. If you’re anything like me, you do a lot of your crafting on your couch while watching TV – put away all those supplies back into your craftroom where they belong.
6. MAKE IT YOUR OWN:
“Turn your art room into a room that makes you smile, feel inspired and at home.”
The best part. My art room is my place and anything goes. I don’t use design rules. I do what I want. It’s a place to be free. I suggest you do the same. Invest in a few items that really give it your artsy/crafty touch. Make it so, when you walk in, your art room puts a smile on your face and you instantly feel inspired to create. Surround yourself with decorations and colours that make you want to keep it nice and tidy. Perhaps a cool vase filled with fresh flowers? Throw up some funky Chartreuse Curtains? A few Designer Pillow Cushions? I added a nice little dog bed for Bernadette (Personalized Life Is Better with Dog, Dog Bed) – for when she decides to keep me company in my art room.
A few years ago I made a vision board dedicated to a career in arts or crafts. That’s the first thing you see when you walk in. Then you see sketches, plants, old posters that I still like but I’m too old to like (ha), etc. Make it a place that you want to go to and spend time in – a place that will keep you inspired. Remember anything goes in there – it’s your rules. The more you like your craft room the more you’ll keep it tidy AND the more time you’ll spend in it.
CRAFTROOM STORAGE SOLUTIONS
DIY STORAGE SOLUTIONS:
It’s a good idea to invest in boxes, shelves and all types of other organizing goodies to help create and keep up a sense of order in your craftroom. Get some cute little bowl organizers for your beads and small things, funky storage boxes for your scrapbooking stuff, shelves, storage racks, labels, etc. Now’s the time to do it.
However, if you’re on a strict budget - there are loads of great and cheap DIY solutions out there:
Make your own organizers like the underwear drawer divider that I made earlier this year. You can easily use it to store your craft supplies.
A Gold Pencil Holder can be made with recycled cans and bottles and looks ultra chic. If your not so chic and want a more down to earth option, go here.
This a great way to recycle plastic containers: Hanging Storage Bins.
Store your art books in baskets on the wall.
PEG BOARDS! A must in a craftroom. Don’t feel like you need to use all the fancy hooks with the peg boards - use what you have or go to the dollar store and pick up a few things that’ll work.
Make little “catch all” holders like this DIY Jewelry Holder - use them for tiny things like beads and thumb tacks.
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