Living in a small house, space is at a premium. We simply don’t have room for things that aren’t regularly used or essential. But of course, as we all know, craft supplies are absolutely essential.
In fact, if it came right down to it, I’d get rid of some of my clothes to make room for my craft supplies if I had to. Priorities, I have them! 😉
So I just have to be super creative when it comes to organizing my craft supplies so that they’ll fit in a small space (and so that I don’t have to give up my entire wardrobe)!
These steps are really helpful for storing your craft supplies in a small space. They’re the same steps I used to get my craft supplies under control and organize my craft stash.
I don’t think that having a small place to store your craft supplies or having no craft room at all should stop anyone from creating beautiful, unique crafts. We just have to get crafty with the space that we do have!
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How to Store Your Craft Supplies in a Small Space
1. Declutter, declutter, declutter! The first step to take when storing your craft supplies in a small space is to purge and declutter. This is absolutely the most important part of being able to fit your craft supplies in a small space.
This step-by-step guide will take you through the process of decluttering your craft supplies if you need some extra guidance. (It also includes some pictures of my own craft stash decluttering for added inspiration!)
When you’re storing craft supplies in a small space, you really need to be picky about what stays and what goes. It’s really easy to let craft cutter get out of control, and in a small space, it gets out of control quickly.
So make sure to give your craft stash a good cleaning and go through your supplies often to get rid of things you don’t need or won’t use. Make your craft supplies fit in the space you have, not the other way around.
2. Measure your space and find an organization system that fits. One of my favorite ways to fit craft supplies in a small space is to use a cubby or bookshelf. This allows you to organize everything on the shelves, and if you ever want to rearrange your furniture, it can be easily moved around.
I use this nine cube organizer, and it holds all of my craft supplies nicely. It fits inside a closet, so it doesn’t even take up space in our living area.
You can also check out yard sales and thrift stores for a good deal on old shelves. Usually they just need a coat of paint and they’re good as new.
To keep everything nicely organized on the shelves, I recommend some containers, bins, or baskets. Most shelving units have some sort of basket that fits right on the shelf, like my blue fabric drawers.
But you don’t need to be limited to just those. You can easily make your own from a cardboard box!
If your space is too small for even a little shelf, you might use clear plastic bins that will fit in whatever nooks and crannies you have hidden around your home.
Before I switched to using my cube shelf, I used these bins for a long time. Now I use them to store my holiday decorations!
3. Arrange your craft supplies on your shelves or chosen storage system. To get the most out of your space, make sure to arrange everything so it fits exactly to a T.
Fold your fabric so it’s the same size as your shelves. See how much of a difference doing something simple like folding fabric (and a little decluttering) makes?
Try to keep like craft supplies together so they’re easy to find and put away. If you’re using baskets, boxes, or bins, make sure to keep everything inside them neatly organized.
Label the boxes so you can easily see what’s inside without rooting around every time you need something. Leave a little extra space so you’ll have room if you need to add a few things to your craft stash.
4. Keep your craft stash organized and under control. To ensure your craft stash doesn’t outgrow its space, give it a good decluttering on a regular basis and get rid of things you won’t use.
Plan projects to use up any extra supplies that you have. And when you go to the store, make sure to only buy the craft supplies that you’ll need for your specific project.
If you’d like to take a peek into my system, here’s how I organize my craft supplies in a small space. I have this nine cube organizer that I fit all of my craft supplies into. Basically if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay.
The organizer fits inside my closet perfectly, though it looks nice enough that it could be out in the open if I had the space.
My sewing machine sits on top with my basket of current crafts I’m working on, as well as a container full of seashells. Because who doesn’t need a container full of seashells? (Such is life when you live by the seashore!)
On the first row of shelving, I have my fabric, felt, and sewing supplies. I’ve saved a bit of space by folding the fabric to the same dimensions as the shelves.
I fit all of my sewing accessories into this scrapbook container, and it fits perfectly on the shelves of my organizer. My cutting mat slides behind the organizer for easy, out-of-sight storage.
The fabric drawers hold my paint, glue, ribbons, yarn, wine corks, paper, and any other random craft supplies I have. They easily slide in and out so I can find what I’m looking for. And they’re nice for hiding some of the random craft supplies that we always seem to have around.
And there you have it! Though I don’t have room for a ton of stuff, I find that I have the perfect amount of room for the stuff I do need and use on a regular basis.
So, how do you organize your craft supplies in a small space? Give me all the details in the comments!
If you’d like some more ideas for organizing your craft stash and making it look beautiful and magazine worthy, you can check out the posts of my craft stash organization series right here:
Part 1: How to Declutter Your Craft Supplies and Make Room for the Good Stuff
Part 2: How to Choose the Perfect Organizer for Your Craft Supplies
Part 3: How to Organize Your Craft Supplies and Make Your Craft Stash a Show-Stopper
Check out the links below for more fun craft ideas and tips!
Looks great, I need this inspiration right about now! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Thanks! Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration and creativity! 😉
How easy it is if you only have one or 2 craft hobbies. I sew, paint, make jewelry, cross stitch, paper craft and art journal. And those are just what come to mind right now. I live in a studio apartment so EVERYTHING is in one room. I am very disorganized and manage to pull out one craft to work on right on top of another. I WISH I could organize it. I think it is as good as it is going to get. I laughed when I saw your pin and thought, “oh if only it was really that easy.” But I am glad you and others are able to be so disciplined. Craft on!
At last someone as disorganized as myself. I also do different things and the room that I have is a little loft room that is not big enough for all my craft ideas and supplies. I think I need at least a 6 bedroom house just for my crafts so that everything is organized. 😉
This is a great post! My craft stuff is out of control!
Thanks, Ashleigh! I hope this helps you get those craft supplies a little more organized!
AMEN SISTER! I have searched the web trying to get plain Jane- how to on de-cluttering and organizing, and then I came across this site!! I am sitting, litterally in the middle of an out of hand craft-tastic-ness surplus gone crazy!! ahh! So Its nice to know that I am not the only one who has managed to let my stash get out of hand!!! A relief really. I like that this is simple, to the point and also has so many other insights added throughout with quick links for other ideas and such. This is overall, & officially my go to site now! I am so thrilled I finally found a site that seems so personable, and not all corporate-esk! Sorry to be a nerd, but I just felt intrigued/inspired to leave a comment on your comment! Happy Crafting y’all! Sent with Love from the Mountains of North Carolina~
Thank you so much, Sarah! Don’t worry, I always keep it real around here. No need to sugar coat things! 😉 I am so happy you found this information so helpful, and I hope you’ll be able to use it to get your own craft stash under control! Glad to hear you’ll be sticking around, as I have a lot of other fun projects in the works!
Your craft space looks great. I need to do a major reorganizing. I have done tubs and thst works great. I just need to buy some more, and get my fabric out of a basket like above. That does take up more room. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Thanks, Linda! Tubs are nice because you can store them in any little space where they’ll fit. The trick is just to make sure everything in the tubs stays organized. 😉 Good luck getting your craft supplies under control!
I appreciate your idea shared about folding fabric to fit shelf size. No clue how I’ve survived textile collecting, which looks exactly like hoarding 😬, this long!?!? So sensibly simple…thanks. My brain is far too busy thinking about the route of maximum resistance to even comprehend sense making, mostly. 😳😬😮😋 I’m a HUGE fan of learning things the hard way! This much is true-hoo 🎶🎵
I love those drawer spaces! I use them in my daughter’s room but it’s a great idea to use them sewing/crafting supplies! Thank you so much for sharing at my craft party on Thursday! I pin and share all your entries! Would love to see your newest posts this week, which starts at 7pm EST.
Thanks so much, Denise! Those organizers are perfect for craft supplies! I love how you can completely customize them and really use them for whatever you want!
This is such a good idea! I’ve found mason jars work really well for storing small items, and I like clear totes for storing all my acrylic paint. Great tips!
Thanks, Cara! Those clear totes are great for craft storage, too! And of course I can never get enough mason jar storage! 😉
Gidday Celeste! Your post couldn’t be more timely. I’m in the process of organising my very small craft space and I need all the help I can get. So many craft supplies, so little space (or something like that)! LOL Thank you so much for sharing your post at Thriving on Thursdays last week. It’s always great to see you. I’m featuring this post at tomorrow’s party. See you again soon!
Anne @ Domesblissity
Thanks so much, Anne! I’m honored to have been chosen for a feature! It’s so true, there always seem to be more craft supplies than space! Good luck organizing your craft supplies!
Hi Celeste, You’ve given me some great ideas – thanks for the post! Blessings, Janet
Janet, glad to hear you got some good ideas from this post! Hope you can get those craft supplies under control!
Great ideas. I love these 9-cube organizers and my craft supply is a nightmare right now. Tweeting, pinning and stumbling this also.
Thanks, Lindsey! Those organizers are so handy, aren’t they? Good luck getting those craft supplies organized!
I try – I really do I think where I fall down is when you said “And when you go to the store, make sure to only buy the craft supplies that you’ll need for your specific project”
Also I suffer from a nasty condition called “I’d better keep it just in case it comes in for something one day”
Seriously though, you have some good ideas here and I am feeling motivated!
Oh I know, Julie, it can be SO HARD to have self control when you’re at the craft store and there are so many cute things to buy! I try to make a list of things I need beforehand and just stick to the list to help keep my impulse purchases under control! Good luck organizing your craft supplies!
Julie, I feel ya on the needing to keep something in case it’s needed soon. Because, you know…it’s just SO OFTEN this situation actually happens?!?! Not for me anyhoo. 😉 Something I’ve recently been talking myself through is that I’m always happy to go to the craft or thrift store to find something for a project, so if I don’t happen to have it anymore, it’s just a reason to go get something new. 🙌🏼 🙌🏿 🙌🏽 🙌
Great tips. I think I need to declutter my stashes but it’s oh so hard..
Love what you have used for storage.
Over from Funtastic Friday
Thanks, Kate! It’s never fun to get rid of things, but once you find you have less clutter and can actually find the things you need, it is totally worth it!
These are great ideas! I would love for you to add this to the Friday Favorites link party going on now.
~Bonnie
http://www.oursecondhandhouse.com/2016/03/friday-favorites-week-317.html
Thanks, Bonnie! I’ll be sure to check out your link party!
It looks amazing! Will you come organize mine???? 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Lol thanks so much, Lindsay! I enjoy organizing so much I would totally come help you if you were nearby!
Looks so nice, makes me want to clean and organize my craft room, thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks! I think getting started is the hardest part. Once you start making headway, everything else kind of falls into place!
I love this idea need this type of storage will be looking at yard sales thanks for the idea have a happy Easter
So glad you got some great craft storage ideas, Lorraine! Yard sales are great places to find some great deals on things you can use for storage!
What a nifty idea! Thanks sooo much for sharing!
Thanks, Danielle! So glad you enjoyed it!
All of my craft supplies are stored in my sons closet! I have big plans for a craft room, but until then my mess is behind closet doors. It’s the best organization that I could come up with. for now. Thank you for sharing it on the Creative Muster. We loved it so much that we’re pinning it to our Creative Muster Favorites board. I hope that’ll we’ll be seeing more of your great ideas.
Thanks so much, Robin! I’m thrilled you chose this as one of your favorites! I store my craft supplies in my closet, too, and it works out nicely! It helps keep things contained when they get out of hand, haha.
Where do use your sewing machine in that small space?
Stephanie, my craft supply organizer sits in a closet, and I don’t have a dedicated craft room, so I do my crafting anywhere there’s room… the kitchen counters, dining room table, even the living room. I’m not picky, so long as I get to craft and create, that’s all that matters!
I am getting ready to do this. We just moved and I have to purge before my hubby throws it out in the middle of the road. Looking forward to getting it all organized and pretty.
Lol, if your hubby knows what’s good for him, he won’t dare touch your craft supplies, Michelle! Good luck with the organizing!
Thank you for all this information! I know what I have to do, now will I… Yes, I do need to do this, all of it, and this is being honest! Thank you again for all the great ideas and the “kick” in the butt!! lol
Haha, glad I could give you just what you needed to get those craft supplies under control, Trisch! Best of luck!
Thank you for the awesome ideas in this post! I’m getting ready to set up an Etsy work area in a small room, and this should come in super handy.
So glad you found this helpful, Rita! If you do it right, it’s really easy to store a lot of supplies in a small space!
I love your idea, but I do many, many crafts and have my supplies scattered all over since a friend moved in. I had a craft room … I sew, bead, paint, knit & crochet and even a cubby like yours would not fit all my supplies for each craft. I have gotten rid of craft supplies, but the rest I use … hopefully when my friend moves out I can have my craft room back … LOL … and I will start with organizing ideas that you showed. Thanks for the idea!
Great idea! I recently have room for my crafts, it’s my creative cave!! I have several 9 cubes that store my craft supplies but always looking for more ideas! Thank you!!
My daughter is really getting into painting and is starting to gather lots of supplies. She needs a better way to store things so that nothing gets lost. I love the idea of decluttering everything and finding a place for every piece.
Celeste. Great stuff! Love the ideas here. Years ago I purchased some suitcases and boxes at a discount store. I’ve used them in various rooms to store a myriad of things. It seems I repurpose them after every move. At present I live out of a bedroom, and the containers line double shelves across the top of my closet. My trick is to label both the box and the shelf space where it sits. You may need to broaden your categories. I have boxes for beading (beads and beading tools, crafts (non-crochet patterns, E6000, tassel and pom-pom maker), cutting tools (from exacto knife, scissors and punches to replacement blades), project (current project, crochet (patterns and hooks), label maker and supplies, markers. Non craft boxes have greeting cards, first aid, hair accessories, travel items and my shoe shine kit. When I stock up on yarn, it has to be for a particular project and must fit in the available space in my under-bed storage drawers–and that’s under a twin-size bed!
The bin idea is great. If you have them in different areas, or even in one spot, I have a “step 2” for you. Label the bins as A, B, C, etc. When you put your supplies in the bins, get a note card and write what supplies are in the bin (one note card per bin). Then file all the cards in a file box. When you need something, you know exactly which bin to go to. My cousin lived in a tiny apartment and this is the plan she used. Works great!