I've mentioned before that our house is tiny. Or maybe it just feels that way sometimes. But it's a fact that there isn't a lot of storage room to work with, and what we have is pretty much already used up.
So I'm always on the look-out for new ways to make things more accessible and - most important one here! - less clutter-y. Honey-Can-Do helped us with our toy situation. Would they be able to help with our overflowing craft supplies, too?
We don't have a craft room (ha - I wish!) or a play room, so our craft supplies aren't stored in the same room we'll be using them in. We usually do activities in the kitchen which means searching for what we need and lugging it to the table. (I suppose I could store some materials in the cabinets. Pom poms next to the silverware, anyone?)
Yes, our Elf on the Shelf made it into the first picture; no, she's not technically a craft supply...
It never even occurred to me to get something on wheels. This handy-dandy cart is the genius idea I needed, but didn't even know it.
Now we can just wheel the cart loaded with craft supplies to the kitchen (Kay's favorite part; I think she asks to do crafts just so she can wheel it around!) and back again.
An added bonus: having the supplies out and so easy to get at has led to an increase in crafting and tinkering. (See our "tinker box" on the bottom, where I stash recyclables and other stuff she can just play around with.)
Now if only Honey-Can-Do could handle cleaning up messes, they would officially be my favorite company ever!
With all this organizing, I got to thinking about other ways to store craft supplies when space is at a minimum.
- A craft cart. Easy to move to another room and out of the way when not in use. I'm thinking this one could fit in my closet if needed!
- Don't waste all that space on the back of your door! We also have shoe organizers that we were stashing some stuff in. Simplicity in the South ingeniously added shelves and storage compartments to the back of her door!
- Colored buckets. More of a how-to-get-things-put-away than a space saver, I suppose. Kids (and adults!) are more likely to put things back if there's no arduous task of lifting a cover. With supplies in buckets or bins what belongs there is more likely to get back there.
- Clear containers and Sandwich bags. I like combining these two. I'll put all the beads in one baggie, all the buttons in another and then I can store everything easily in the clear containers. If you're feeling especially ambitious it would be smart to add a label to the container but I never get that far.
How do you keep craft supplies in check? I'd love to hear your tips!
Disclosure: We received this teaching cart in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and ideas are my own.
