How To Create An All Purpose Craft Room
You are going to be surprised at how easy it is to create a beautiful all-purpose craft room. If you enjoy sewing, painting, photography, drawing, or any other art project you need an area to do your work and keep your supplies. Here you will find tips on organizing and Ikea hacks that will customize your room to your favorite arts and craft.
My studio is my happy place, a place to be creative whether it’s working in colored pencils, watercolors, sewing, crafts, or photography there is space to do it all. There is also storage to keep all my supplies neatly in order.
How can I organize my craft room for cheap?
I have a lot of good ideas that will help you create an organized craft room of your how. A place where you can get away, relax and enjoy some quiet crafting time. The one key to organizing your craft room for cheap is to purchase cute boxes that match each other and stack well. I also like to purchase small tins for open storage supplies. You could also paint glass jars you collect from you kitchen garbage. Just keep them painted in similar tones or colors for a cohesive look.
You can also get second-hand furniture from a thrift store and give it a fun coat of paint. If you love doing particular types of crafting, sewing, drawing, or painting, add some of this to your painted furniture with decals, painted images, or add cute knobs to the drawers.
Craft room design layout
As we tour my studio, you will see that I have crafting zones—one area for drawing, one for messy craft projects. I also have a sewing zone and a photography area. It’s a good idea to design your own craft room to think about how you will be using your supplies. Try to group your supplies in cabinets or drawers by where you will be using them and what you will be using them with. this makes for easy access with your creative juices start to flow, and it helps for quick cleanup to keep your craft room looking neat and inspiring.
How do you set up a craft room?
Setting up your own craft room is so pleasurable. Whether you have a big or small room or maybe even a tucked away closet I have some great ideas for you. Most are craft room on a budget idea. Let’s start with the corner I am writing this blog post form. This little corner is where I enjoy sitting with my computer, quietly working on a blog post or browsing through Pinterest getting ideas to do in my studio
I have made the bulletin board for this area to pin all my I want to do someday pictures. I just took some old picture frames, removed the glass, painted them, and then added a fabric-covered foam core board. I also have my music station area here. The small white cabinet stores all my music CDs
Ikea craft room ideas
As you will see, Ikea is my one-stop-shop for inexpensive craft room furniture. The billy shelves with doors are perfect for hiding away all your supplies. It’s hard to be creative in chaos. I also took an Ikea dining room side table and made it into the biggest ironing board you will ever need!
My drafting table is where I mostly enjoy drawing, colored pencils or watercolors. Below the table are large boxes I got from Ikea that hold all kinds of craft supplies.
I created this colored pencil holder for the majority of my Prisma pencils. I used large straws hot-glued between two boards to create a stand so I could easily see all my colors and the names of each
I placed it on a base so it is easy to move closer to me while I am working
This light is one of my favorite items in my studio. I grew up on a family farm and I have fond memories of my grandpa carry this basket full of eggs back to the house each day.
The next area is our sewing and multi-purpose table. It pulls out from the wall if 4 people need to sit around for a ladies’ craft night.
On both sides of my table I have Ikea Billy bookcases and inside each are Ikea boxes for storage. The small side shelving units are also Ikea and are sold as cd storage. However, I like putting buckets and glass jars in mine for open, easy access storage.
Moving around the room you will find my rather large ironing board. I wanted it close to our sewing area and large enough to iron table cloths on easily. This is normally sold as a dining room sidebar from Ikea
I created my own Ikea hack by adding an extension to the end of the top. I then covered the whole top with thick padding and then covered it with ironing board fabric.
Moving around the room I have a stack of buckets and a cheesecake pan, which might look out of place and strange but they do have a purpose. See that window in the door, placing those buckets in front of it, and then place a large cutting board on top of all that creates a perfect backdrop for a food photoshoot. So the bucks have a home in this corner
I added these Ikea bird stickers from floor to ceiling in this area also, just to give a punch of color and because I love birds
Next is my favorite area for photography. I have a large white bookshelf to hold a few of my favorite styling props and a shelf for my camera lenses and batteries.
Below my backdrops and lights table is a small Ikea storage unit that I keep more food photo props in.
The photography area extends over into more desktop space for whatever messy project I might have going.
Above this area, I use an Ikea shelf and instead of mounting it vertically, I put it up horizontally.
I keep a few of my favorite art books on the shelves and things that make me happy like this jar of starfish because I love the beach.
This vase and saucer are from my childhood growing up on the farm. I keep my good watercolor brushes up on the shelf in this vase so they don’t get used for anything but watercolors.
Below the shelf unit is another bulletin board I made. This one has inspirational ideas and quotes on it.
This is my favorite chair to sit in. The faux fur is another Ikea find. I love how the splash of pink peeks through from the chair but not enough to lose the clean white theme in the room.
What is the best color for a craft room?
Personally, I like soft muted tones with white furniture. When I am photographing or working on a painting I will not have color from my walls bouncing off and reflecting an unusual shade on my work. However, if you love big and bold then go for it. A craft room is a place that inspires you and lights a fire of creativity in you.
My studio is about using things I love to organize and that have personal meaning to me. This pharmacy measuring jar belonged to my mom and I enjoy using it for a pen holder.
What will you do when you get more pencils? I really love that idea of having them out and visible! So simple!
Well actually I do have more pencils! I have them in buckets in the shelves on the other wall. I have watercolor pencils and about 5o more refill colors of the regular color pencils. Some day I would like to make another one just like this one. ( diy blog post idea!) It only cost about $3 to make this one!
Hello,
Your craft room is truly an inspiration! I wanted to ask where you found that light green table mat? Is it a cutting mat? The color is so pretty and calming! Thanks
WOW, I thought I was neat, clean and organized, HA, you put my space to shame! Great space! Happy Creating, Cindy
Thanks Cindy! Not to reveal any secrets but there were just a few things in my laundry room when I took the pictures. Things like a trashcan, rolls of paper and a stack of posters on top of my roll out Idea storage units. :)
Absolutely adore your craft creative room! How did you do or get the table to pull from the wall?or where can we find this to do. We homeschool and craft a lot!
We want to do a culinary side, project side, painting and sew much fun side! We have pro facepainting buz with caricature and want to do a craft room.. Please pray tell.
The table was slid up between the two Ikea cabinets. My sister gave the table to me. It’s a Parsons style. There are some on Amazon but not near as sturdy as mine. We used to have “homeshooling stations” when my kids were young. I set up science, art, math, and reading. I even had a station of manipulative projects to help my dyslexic – I believe it worked well, he now has a masters degree ;)
I LOVE your room, it is the perfect mix between form and function. Great idea for holding your Prismacolor pencils BTW.. .
Thanks Maureen! This momma of 6 needs her happy and somewhat organized space, just to have a place to go and be creative. ;)
What a beautiful studio. I love your drafting table, and that pencil holder is the ingenious. Thanks for the tour, and happy creating.
Thanks Deborah, the drafting table was a gift from my sister at The Farmhouse Studio (https://www.facebook.com/JusteensFarmhouseStudio) She is an architect and was downsizing so I was given a very special gift. I love being able to stand and work on project at it also.
ADORE the space..Hidden deep inside me is a modern gal coveting a modern style. Your pencil tray is divine. Now to poke around your site…
Thanks, My studio is modern, but I’m leaning to a farmhouse style in other areas of my house. I grew up on a dairy farm in Indiana so I love to add my family pieces to help decorate. Hope you enjoy your visit around my site.
I love your clean, light & bright space! Your pencil storage is amazing, and I love the Ikea bird & branches decals! Thanks much for the tour ~
Thank you Bobbie, glad you enjoyed it.
The uncluttered feel and cleanliness of your studio would be enough to inspire me! I like all the small pops of color such as the birds and colored pencils. They really stand out in just the right measure against the white backdrop.
Your studio is lovely very light and pretty, I love the light shade. You are very organized. Thanks for sharing your studio. Lisa xx
Your workspace is very modern looking and functional. I like the pencil idea as I am constantly digging through a container to find the colour I want. It has been so much fun to glean an idea or two from each participant.
Happy Crafting.
Your studio is so beautiful! So neat too! Love all of the storage you have and I’m sure it’s a wonderful place to create wonderfulness! Thank you for sharing it with us.
be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Your room is so neat, clean and airy. Love the little touches of color that just pop! TFS!
This is a walk out basement. I painted the cement floors white to make it feel bigger. There is one door with a window in it. Amazingly this window provides tons of light in the first half of the day for photography and a nice filtered light in the afternoon.
Thanks Karen.
I got the vintage coffee grinder last month at an open air market in Italy. Bargained in sign language since I didn’t know Italian, and after I saw more there I realized I got a really good one for a good price. They were probably amused by the silly American. I was in Italy taking a food styling photography class. I learned so much about lighting, props and how to properly use my camera settings. Hoping to find more classes in my area soon, I have a lot more to learn and loving it.
Love your sleek modern bright studio! In love with that drafting table with all those colored pencils. Thank you for sharing.
Hello, I’m visiting from WBC. Wow ~ such a peaceful, lovely space! I could spend hours there ;) Happy creating, Cecilia
Gina your studio has been a breathe of fresh air! If you look at my studio you will see I subscribe to the “more is more” philosophy, but I am enamored of your clean bright and uncluttered space! It is really soothing and I’m sure is a wonderful place to create in. Thank you so much for joining the party and sharing your studio. :)
My motto, everything in a box or tub behind a door. There is tons of “junk” in there it’s just all categorically stashed. :)
It’s obvious I’m running late to the party, but I am so glad to be here now. I couldn’t miss this opportunity to see your incredible studio. I might be organized, but your nearly white studio puts anything I could put together to shame. I was in AWE of your creative colored pencil holder. Very impressive outside the box thinking.
People give me all kinds of weird things, and one time a friend gave me some clear acrylic cubes. I finally figured out they were ice cube props. I bet you have some, too. Thanks for sharing your lovely areas, including that great photography area I fell in love with.
Thanks for stoping by for a visit. Your right people can pass on some of the strangest things but I love it when that thing becomes the perfect something for a project.
Gina Marie, there is nothing about your space that I don’t absolutely love. It is so fresh, clean and organized . . . the total opposite of mine. I think that I was born with a bit of a messy gene, LOL. I love the ingenious way you built your pencil rack and your light fixture is beautiful. The story that you told about it is even more beautiful than the fixture. How sweet that you have grandpa’s old egg basket in your space. perfection!
Your blogging sister, Connie:)
I would follow your blog, but I don’t see a place to do that, help!
Thank you Connie for your kind words. I have added a Follow Me By Email subscription form on my sidebar. ;)
WOW, Gina, so fresh…I keep everything, I think “more is better”, I love to see my things everywhere around me, but your space…so clear, so organized…One day I want to be as organized as you are:)))Thanks so much for sharing!
Évi #19
Thanks! With 6 kids I just kind of evolved into a neat freak so in hopes I could find things. ;) It seemed to help if everything had a place, even if that place was a box hidden behind a door.
Hi Gina, what an amazing space you created for yourself! Love how bright and organized everything is!
Thanks for sharing your amazing space!
Unfortunately, it is the top that came with the drafting table. It reminds me of jadeite dishes.
Love your space, the white on white is so calming and relaxing. And you have some really great areas to work on, love the ironing board idea and the pencil holder you made is brilliant (always looking for how to keep my pencils and pens available but also in a way that they look great and artistic). Great inspiration and very exciting tour!
Hey Gina, Your studio is awesome and the way you did your job is wonderful…All are stylish design…..
Thanks Austin. It’s my happy place for sure. After raising 6 kids, I enjoy a place to go and be creative in that is very clean and easy to organize.
I like your idea of using straws for the colored pencils, but what did you do to keep the pencils coming out the other end of the straws. I didn’t notice any board under your straws from your pictures.
This is not a fancy picture but you can get the idea of how I did the bottom. The whole holder only cost me a few dollars to make.
I would love to know what kind of sta a you used to create your colored pencil holder with. I also love the cabinet on wheels and was wondering where you got this? Thank you for your help.
Kristen
Hey Kristen, I got the cabinet and almost all the other furniture in the room at Ikea. I’m not sure they have the same style anymore. Here is an example of something similar. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/galant-drawer-unit-on-casters-white-10365155/. Also, I got the straws at the Dollar Tree. They are just big in diameter. I have seen some at Walmart too. I just took my pencil and tested it out. There is a board under them all so that they do not slip through.
I love your craft room and plan on creating one in the near future! I love the pen storage idea! Thank you for all of your ideas!
Denice, I would love to see pictures when you get yours set up! We are moving and I am in the process of figuring out a new studio in a smaller space.
Hi Gina,
Thank you for the lovely tour of your all-purpose studio. I’m inspired by the idea of the zones and your creative use of Ikea furniture. This is just what I need to help me to transform my stodgy office into a haven that inspires & soothes my soul.
Lesa, I’m glad you enjoyed finding some inspiration from my studio. As a momma of 6 and 15 grands, I too need a soothe the soul and recharge space. Also, the space brings out the budding artist when my grandkids come to visit. I would love to see some pictures as you go about your process.
Loved everything about your blog of organising your work space and your beautiful home. I especially loved the birds and where do you go to get them? Thank you for being such a great person and I enjoyed your informative message
THe birds were sticker sets i bought at Ikea years ago. The have such great wall art at a reasonable price. They don’t carry them anymore however here is something simular. They are only $8 for the set. Birds On Branch Wall Decals. The birds in the frames are prints from JOHN GOULD. Here are some John Gould prints you can frame. look around on amazon, there are a lot of prints of his work. I bought a book about his asian birds and pulled pages from that and framed them. needless to say i love birds.
I love the dining room side table that you turned into an ironing table. It’s exactly what I need in my art studio. Do you know how I can find it?
I bought it 10 years ago at Ikea. They have other things simular now I’m sure. All I did was put padding on with a stapler and then covered that with special ironing board fabric I got at Hobby Lobby.