It has literally been a year in the making… but I am FINALLY sharing the reveal of my new craft room! I honestly don’t know what took so long. I posted a sneak peek last March and intended to do a full reveal in April. I’m just slow. Just about everything has been complete except for some little details for quite a while. Angie’s Craft Room Tours series was a great excuse to finish things up!
For my new space I was going for bright, inviting, and overall a space that screamed for me to come be creative in. I was also in dire need of storage and a large work table. I think I achieved it all! I have yet to walk into my craft space and NOT feel inspired to get to work.
You can see my original craft space in this tour from 2014. My husband built that space for me when we moved into our home in 2004 when I was mainly scrapbooking. As my crafting evolved, and eventually became a full time job, the need for a more functional space became painfully obvious.
I also want to mention that this is a shared space in our bonus room. I’m using ~1/4 of the room. The rest serves as playroom, movie room, guest room, and other household storage.
For Christmas last year I asked “Santa” to take me to Ikea to pick out storage units for a new and improved craft room. So the hubs gave me a homemade voucher to go shopping, and in January I made my first ever trip to Ikea! I had mapped out my floor plan ahead of time and figured out which units would work in my space. I knew going in exactly which large pieces I was looking for.
These two 8-shelf Kallax shelving unit in High Gloss Turquoise (it doesn’t look like that color is available anymore – so sad!) flank the 16-shelf Kallax shelving unit in white and provided a TON of storage. And since I didn’t want all my storage to be visible I also purchased the matching Kallax door inserts for the turquoise units, and the matching Kallax drawers and Lekman boxes for the white unit.
I also purchased some pretty glass knobs at Hobby Lobby to replace the ones that came with the doors and drawers. I painted them with DecoArt glass paint in pretty colors to match the room.
These shelving units hold the bulk of my craft supplies, from paper to paint to sewing supplies. Anything I had in abundance such as ribbon, markers, stamps, and such went into bins and drawers. Smaller collections like chalk supplies, stencils, and glitter went into smaller shoeboxes and 12×12 boxes in the open shelves.
I really wanted a pegboard for display and visual storage. The hubs custom made this one for me to size with white pegboard and framed it out with trim which I painted. It’s hanging over another Ikea shelving unit, the multi-sized Kallax which we modified.
At some point I’ll post a tutorial for this Ikea hack, but basically the hubs built an extended topper for the shelving unit and we hung sliding barn doors on the front. I painted the inset doors in my room colors and covered the pink with a couple coatings of DecoArt’s Chalkboard Clear Coating to turn it into a chalkboard surface. I’m still deciding what to do with the other two doors. I want as many places as I can in this room to be pretty AND functional if at all possible.
The shelves on this Kallax unit are pretty but they store mainly office supplies and half-done scrapbook albums – not very pretty supplies – so I wanted them covered up.
The storage on the pegboard is all acrylic. I didn’t want anything that wouldn’t allow light to filter through since this corner is more in shadow. My glitter glues are hanging upside down under one of the shelves with Velcro. I also have several of my smaller office supplies stored here such as paper clips and thumb tacks. The wooden crate holds my Martha Stewart glitters. The pocket at the top hold notebook with graph paper for when I make fabric or cross stitch patterns.
A couple of hanging buckets hold sponge brushes and the computer cord for my Silhouette Cameo, which you can see sitting on the tabletop. Having the Silhouette OUT has me using it SO much more than in my old room setup where I had to rearrange things just to get it out. A good thing, because I use it a LOT for my Etsy shop right now.
You can also see my thread storage hanging on the side of the shelves. I attached it with 3M Velcro Strips. It keeps them within easy reach but out of the way of much needed surface space.
The last Ikea unit I wanted was the Fjälkinge shelf unit. I happened to get the last one the Atlanta Ikea had that day we went shopping! It was the perfect size to store larger items like my sewing machine and printer. The bins at the bottom hold a majority of my fabric stash.
My awesome hubs built me the Ana White Modern Craft Table! The huge work surface was a big difference from my previous setup. It also provided a ton of extra storage and the ability to keep commonly used supplies within easy reach like pencils, pens, and scissors. This is easily my favorite feature in the room!
Having an island work station also allowed me to work in natural light rather than in shadow like my previous craft room setup. The bright white paint really lights up the space, and I can even take some of my blog photos straight from it. I painted all of the shelves in bright colors to match the rest of the space.
We modified the desk slightly by closing off the back of the side shelves under the table. I intended to use the underside of the desk as storage as well (waste not, want not!) and didn’t want any of that peeking out from the shelves. I have a couple of inexpensive cube units from my previous setup that I kept to store underneath. This is also where I keep the foam boards I use for photography and my giant sewing mat.
And, of course, I had to have an Ikea Turquoise Råskog Utility Cart. It’s the perfect height to stash under the desk and roll out when I need it. I keep paint pens, note pads, large adhesive bottles, commonly used paper punches, and more here. I also utilize the outside of the cart by using magnets to hold things.
I try to keep my desktop fairly cleaned off, but that doesn’t always happen. A few things I DO always keep on my desktop are a small bucket for trash, a cute little colander with a small note pad and pencil (I’m addicted to writing lists!), and a small mouse pad to put drinks on that I bring up to the room. I also keep my blog calendar handy and, you guessed it, another note pad!
I painted a working ruler on my desktop which is great for measuring fabric and ribbon and various craft projects quickly so I don’t have to dig out a ruler. I drew the dashes and the numbers with an Elmer’s paint pen.
Some other extra details I added where these vinyl words on all of the doors, drawers, and bins. With so much hidden storage I occasionally forgot where to find things without opening multiple items! Plus I really like labels. And organizing things.
Unfortunately this wasn’t a single font, but 3 I pieced together for each word so I can’t exactly share it with y’all. It was a bit of work but TOTALLY worth it in the end! And, of course, if the products stored inside happen to change I can simply change out the vinyl.
A few more details of the room… I love that I can reach most all of my main supplies without getting out of my desk chair (which may need a makeover, too, what do you think?). I keep some drawers on the far side of my desk full of paper scraps, cardboard, and sewing supplies. On top of them I keep my favorite cutting mat (for paper) and my oversized paper trimmer. To keep up with functionality, I hung a hook to hold an often used clipboard on the back of the top set of drawers and put a 12×12 corkboard on the back of the bottom set of drawers.
I also wanted to show that not all of the hidden storage was completely organized. I do have a compartment completely dedicated to “Craft Crap” that doesn’t have a good home. I labeled it as such.
To truly define the space as my own, I painted the walls to border my area. I couldn’t stand the beige walls to be in my “bright and cheery” craft space! It’s hard to tell, but the edges all have a scalloped border, except where the wall meets the ceiling.
I also recently added a curtain to the front of the desk to hide all the storage going on underneath. I attached it with Velcro. My two littles love to sit on the stools and do crafts on the table.
That’s about it! If you have any questions on how I store any of my items that I didn’t mention please feel free to ask!
With any great craft room makeover comes a great purge!! I’m excited to say that on Wednesday I will be hosting a big Craft Stash Giveaway with mainly unopened craft supplies that I just couldn’t find a home for. I have **4** of these boxes all packed up and ready to send out to four lucky winners! I hope you’ll come back and enter to win!
Angie from The Country Chic Cottage will be hosting new Craft Room Tours all week long! You can check in with her for all of the links to fun blogger craft rooms. I don’t know about you, but I love to see how other people store their craft supplies!
Susan Phelps says
August 6, 2018 at 6:54 PMWOW!! That is an AWESOME craft room!
Lux G. says
September 2, 2017 at 1:58 AMI’m in love with your craft room. I super love pink and other pastel colors. This is paradise!
Judy says
August 29, 2017 at 11:11 AMI absolutely love this craft room. I will be featuring this tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
JamiE says
August 28, 2017 at 5:27 PMWow – that turned out amazing! So happy for you to have a space like this to use. 🙂
Sheena says
August 25, 2017 at 9:23 AMYour craft room is beautiful!! You inspire me to get mine done!!! Come join us at Home Matters Linky Party and share it with everyone there too!!
Jodie says
August 22, 2017 at 8:10 AMBright & fun workspace!!
Come share & inspire at Reader tip tuesday: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/22/reader-tip-tuesday-party-crafts-recipes/
Can’t wait to see all of the good stuff that emerges from your craft room 🙂
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
August 21, 2017 at 2:09 AMSo bright and colourful it would be a pleasure to work in this room. Thanks for sharing this successful makeover with us at #overthemoon link party. Have a great week!
Cheryl says
January 7, 2017 at 11:52 AMWOWZA! That’s a workspace that would have me leaping out of bed every morning!
Pam kowalski says
March 12, 2016 at 6:17 AMYour craft room is so cheerful as well as functional! I do have a question for you. You have acrylic shelves on your pegboard. Are they purchased boards or DIY? Also, how are they hung to the pegboard? I couldn’t see any brackets under the shelf. Thanks!
Michele McDonald says
March 12, 2016 at 9:11 AMThank you so much, Pam! The acrylic accessories on the pegboard are all purchased. I found them on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1QTLemj – affiliate link) and they are all Azar brand. I have been super happy with them! They work just like any other pegboard accessories and have little hooks along the top that fit into the pegboard holes. Since everything is clear it almost looks like they are floating on the pegboard! I really love the “light and airy” look it gives. 🙂
Jamie says
February 13, 2016 at 4:47 PMWow, that is beautiful!! I already have plans for my son’s rec room to change it into something like this once he moves out! 🙂 So glad I saw these ideas at the #HomeMattersParty
Melissa Vera says
February 12, 2016 at 11:47 AMHey just stopping by and let you know your awesome post was picked as a feature this week on #HomeMattersParty linky. You can see it at http://adventuresfrugalmom.com/home-matters-linky-party-73/. Make sure to grab the I was featured button for your sidebar. Congrats and thanks for linking up.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
February 11, 2016 at 6:13 PMIt must be amazing to have a dedicated space that big! Love how it turned out and the colors you picked. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spoglihgt party! PInnned & shared
Frugal Hausfrau says
February 9, 2016 at 5:28 PMThis really is the ultimate craft room! So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday! Hope to see you next week!
Mollie
Judy says
February 9, 2016 at 6:33 AMThis is every crafters dream room. I love everything about it. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST this evening. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured Button. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Lou Lou Girls says
February 8, 2016 at 1:41 PMHello ladies! I’m stopping by to let you know that your craft room will be featured at our party that starts tonight at 7 pm. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight! Lou Lou Girls
Jeanne Grunert says
February 8, 2016 at 10:40 AMI think I have craft room envy. Such bright, bold colors and beautiful layout! What a joy it must be to have your own space just to create. Congratulations and the room looks fantastic. Visiting from the #HomeMattersParty
Emmy says
February 8, 2016 at 1:02 AMLove it! Love how bight and colorful, love the sliding doors– just all of it is so great!
Amber says
February 7, 2016 at 3:31 PMWhat a fantastic space! I love the cheerful, bright shades you used! Thanks so much for linking up with us at the Best of the Blogosphere!
Create With Joy says
February 6, 2016 at 11:13 PMWhat a beautiful, amazing space – I love it!
Thank you for sharing it at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy.
I’m DELIGHTED to include you as one of my Featured Guests this week!
#214
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
February 6, 2016 at 3:19 PMThis room is amazing! I’ve chosen this post as one of my features for this week’s Share The Wealth Sunday! Thanks so much for joining us each week…can’t wait to see what you share next! xoxo
Daffny says
February 5, 2016 at 3:17 PMWhat a wonderfully detailed and organized room! I don’t have the space for my own office/ craft area yet, but hopefully soon! Wonderful work!
Lou Lou Girls says
February 5, 2016 at 1:50 PMLove! Pinned and tweeted! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at our linky party. We hope to see you next Monday @ 7 because we can’t wait to see your new creations! Happy Friday! Lou Lou Girls
Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter says
February 5, 2016 at 12:27 PMBeautiful! I love all the bright colors. I started to decorate my sewing room in similar colors, but never got much further than those fabulous turquoise Kallax shelves (I can’t believe they don’t make them anymore!) I need to step it up!
Julie says
February 5, 2016 at 4:25 AMThis is gorgeous, I want to come and live with you please!
There is nothing that isn’t just lovely, even the not so pretty covered up bits (that just makes it real)
lorraine williamson says
February 4, 2016 at 6:12 PMlove your space its the type of space I hope to have in the future currently I use the dining room table and several bins has my craft area pinned thanks again for the lovely ideas
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 2:03 PMThat’s how it always starts, Lorraine! You’ll be in a dedicated craft space in no time!
Diane says
February 4, 2016 at 1:40 PMI am so sorry for spelling your name incorrectly!! My daughter-in-law spells hers with two L’s.
Diane says
February 4, 2016 at 1:24 PMHi Michelle!
I love love love your craft space!! To me, it looks perfect!!! I have been incorporating the same colors into my craft room, along with purple. I’ve been looking at craft rooms, searching for one I can relate to, with the colors I want to use. You totally nailed it for me! I am limited by what I have, a white wire shelf and a 4′ tall black media shelf, plastic storage drawers and a lime green cabinet with wheels I picked up a few years ago. I also have a double tool box, 3 drawer tool box on top of rolling tool chest It’s black and 2 days ago, for the first time since I’ve had it, I decided to paint it. Since I have the lime green cabinet, I’m not sure if I want to be cohesive and paint it lime green or go with turquoise.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:55 PMPurple is my FAVORITE color! I wish I had used it, too. You can’t have too many bright colors. I would go with the turquoise for the cabinet! Either way, a little color is going to be a great change from the black. 🙂
Diane says
February 5, 2016 at 2:22 PMI very likely will paint it turquoise. It’s become my new fav color for decorating. I have pops of it in the living room and kitchen as well.
TwoPlusCute says
February 4, 2016 at 12:29 PMThis is a fantastic craft room. Love the colors, So playful and fresh.
Very organized, too. 🙂
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:53 PMThank you so much! Organization is the name of the game so I don’t lose my mind! 😉
Sam @ Living The Dutch Dream says
February 4, 2016 at 6:28 AMI love the colours, it’s definitely a happy space ;o)
Your attention to detail is great, you have a place for everything.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:51 PMThank you, Sam! That was my goal. If something wasn’t going to be able to have a home then it was going to have to be purged! It’s a rough process! 🙂
Anita says
February 4, 2016 at 1:41 AMThis is an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Think Tank Thursday.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:48 PMThank you so much, Anita!
Beverly says
February 3, 2016 at 8:40 PMThis is absolutely amazing! I love the colors you’ve chosen. It’s such a bright and happy space and no doubt a wonderful place to be creative. The details are fabulous. Pinned and Tweeted. I’ll be featuring this at Saturday’s Snickerdoodle Sunday Party.Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:47 PMThank you so much, Beverly, for both your kind words and the feature!
Cristi says
February 3, 2016 at 8:39 PMLove the bright colors of your craft room! It looks awesome! So much inspiration! I’m currently working on putting together my own studio space. Thanks so much for sharing!
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:46 PMThank you, Cristi! I debated the bright colors at first, but they may be one of my best and favorite decisions! It’s like a warm hug every time I walk in the room. 🙂
gail says
February 3, 2016 at 7:55 PMMichele! What a fabulous place to be creative! I’m in awe of how much organization items you have. The colors are so cheerful.
You’ve done a super job pulling it all together, and I’m so happy to finally see it all.
I love everything about your “new” craft room!
gail
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:37 PMThanks, Gail!! Organization born from necessitation. lol!! I have TOO much stuff! Even with the purging. 🙂
Crystal says
February 3, 2016 at 10:31 AMThis is a great craft room! The colors are beautiful.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:35 PMThank you so much, Crystal!
Keri says
February 2, 2016 at 9:40 AMThis is amazing and so inspirational! My craft space is smaller, but I really want to get in there and organize now.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:34 PMThanks, Keri! I’m a strong believer in owning your space now matter how big or small. Maximize your potential! 🙂
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says
February 1, 2016 at 12:21 PMWow, that’s like one of the rooms I’d see on Pinterest and think, “No way that’s real.” Awesome job!
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:32 PMOh wow! Thanks, Jenny! That is an AWESOME compliment!!
Navy Wifey Peters says
February 1, 2016 at 12:34 AMCute craft room! I love the pink, green, and blue color combo. I also have that same blue cart. I love it and want another!
Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:29 PMMe, too!! That cart is the BEST!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
January 31, 2016 at 9:39 AMOh my goodness, this has to be one of the best-executed craft room designs I have seen yet! Talk about attention to detail! Green with envy over here because I could spend days in that room. Pinning to share.
Michele McDonald says
February 5, 2016 at 1:26 PMThank you so much, Marie! It was a lot of work, but totally worth it! 🙂
marissa | rae gun ramblings says
January 25, 2016 at 10:07 PMwow it looks amazing!!! Love seeing your workspace
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:46 PMThanks, Marissa!
Sara @ Mom Endeavors says
January 25, 2016 at 9:04 PMOMG…SWOON! I LOVE everything about this!! We are hoping to do a BIG overhaul of our office/craft room space this year and I’m definitely stealing a few of these ideas! That craft table/island is AMAZING!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:47 PMThanks, Sara! Can’t wait to see your revamped space!!
Deneen says
January 25, 2016 at 3:48 PMLove it. Enjoyed seeing it in person too!!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:48 PMThanks, Deneen! SO glad you got to come over and see it!
Carol says
January 25, 2016 at 1:32 PMGorgeous!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:48 PMThanks, Carol!!
Christine says
January 25, 2016 at 11:30 AMyour craft room is amazing!!!! So colorful and organized!!! PINNING
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:49 PMThank you so much, Christine!
Jessica [Havok] says
January 25, 2016 at 11:09 AMOh man. I don’t even know. Can I just live in your craft room? Ha! This whole space is beautiful and bright and so well organized! 😀 And extra points for everything still being well within reach when working on something!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:51 PMThanks, Jessica! I want to live in there sometimes, too. 🙂
Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says
January 25, 2016 at 10:57 AMMichele it looks amazing!! The photos turned out so great! I love how bright and cheery everything is and how organized it is. You’ve totally inspired me!!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:52 PMThanks, Bev!! Photographing during a snowstorm helped bounce all the light around. 😉 Can’t WAIT to see your finished space!
Angie @ CCC says
January 25, 2016 at 6:03 AMI love it and it was so worth the wait!! Great use of all those little spaces and so jealous you got to go to Ikea!!
Michele McDonald says
January 26, 2016 at 9:54 PMThanks for getting my booty in gear, Angie!! I’m itching to go back to Ikea, but boy is it overwhelming!