Organizing craft and hobby supplies doesn’t require a dedicated space in your home.
With thoughtful furniture placement and clever storage solutions, it’s entirely possible to display your crafts without cluttering up your home and overwhelming your decor. Storage is usually valued more on its practical approach rather than its style, however, you can have both.
“Consider hiding items in plain sight with storage-integrated furniture pieces, or by displaying the bulkier items on built-in shelving to showcase your personality and make it part of the design,” said Tommy Huerte, interior designer at A-List Interiors in New York City.
Into vintage decor? Perhaps you can opt for an antique trunk that can store things while functioning as a statement piece. If minimalism is more your style, investing in custom storage solutions that integrate seamlessly could be worth it. Follow along for more design solutions for organizing your crafts and hobbies.
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Let Your Craft Supplies Double as Decor
“With limited storage space, be creative and use your craft and hobby supplies as home decor. Not only will this save you money on buying extra art, but you will always be surrounded by the items that bring you the most joy. Simply organizing your supplies by color can create an aesthetically pleasing look that will be cohesive in your home.
“When an item is bulky or oversized, this is a fantastic opportunity to show it off. Giant bolts of fabric? Corral them in baskets and let the colors shine. An architectural drafting board that takes up half your wall? Think of this as an easel when not in use. Your home should be an expression of your life, in which your hobbies play a huge role. Don’t be afraid to show them off.
“Built-ins are a fantastic way to create a polished space with tons of storage. Intersperse curated stacks of books and small vignettes between your practical storage to make your built-ins look more refined than a standard storage wall. Add doors to the lower portion of your built-in so no one will know how many extra supplies you have purchased!
“If you have deep drawers or shelving, consider how you can use the hard-to-reach back portion for long term storage, such as holiday supplies. Compact acrylic bins can be stacked and pushed to the back of your shelves and only accessed when necessary. Since they are clear, it’s easy to see which one you need to open, but they don’t impact your daily storage needs.”
—Beth Martin, founder and design consultant at Beth R. Martin Design in Charleston, South Carolina
Master the Art of Furniture Placement
“Optimize and lay out furniture for better storage in a way that minimizes clutter and maintains a sense of order and flows through the space. … You can also create the illusion of separate rooms with storage solutions such as bookcases or cabinetry. This helps you still enjoy the more ample feel of the open floor plan, but you create distinctions between your space and include more smart storage solutions. … Everything from extending dining sets to modular sofas will enhance your home’s style while also reducing furniture clutter.
“Create specific zones in your home for different crafting activities and grouping similar items together for easy access. This could include a sewing area, a painting corner and a paper crafting station. Arrange your supplies by category, such as yarn, fabric, paper and paints. This will make it simple to find what you need when you’re working on a specific project instead of searching for miscellaneous items.
“The integration of practical and design-forward storage solutions is essential for maximizing space and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of modern living environments. From custom shelving and modular systems to hidden compartments and personalized organization, there are countless strategies available to meet the diverse storage needs of homeowners. By prioritizing creativity, functionality and personalized design, we can create homes that are both efficient and visually captivating, ultimately enriching our daily lives.”
—Melinda Wolrab, senior designer at design and furniture studio Vesta, based in Los Angeles
Declutter and Invest
“Start by decluttering and prioritizing your craft supplies, keeping only what you use regularly or truly love. Utilize vertical space by installing shelves, pegboards, or wall-mounted organizers to store supplies off the floor and within easy reach.
“Outside of the typical plastic bins and wicker baskets, there is a plethora of creative options for storing household hobby and craft items. Metal storage crates or wire baskets offer a modern and industrial aesthetic while still providing ample space for organizing various supplies. Fabric storage bins come in a wide range of colors, patterns and sizes, allowing for customization to match any decor style.
“If you are going to be living somewhere long-term, built-in and customized storage solutions are worth it. Built-in storage units blend seamlessly with the architecture and design of the room, creating a cohesive look. They can be designed to match existing features like trim, molding or cabinetry, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the space. And they help with adding value to your home.”
—Alice Moszczynski, at home improvement and interior design platform Planner 5D, based in Lithuania
