I am so BUMMED!! Advice appreciated...

[kysmom]

We are moving, and the limited space in our new house will not allow for my to have my own "craft room"... I am overwhelmed thinking about:
-storing all my stuff, yet having it be accessible
-where to stamp? Would like to keep the dining table a "dining" table
How do you gals with tons of stuff and no space do it??
TIA!

[Mahloumel]

We bought me an armoire from Walmart and I love for storing my crafting supplies in. It has a large upper storage area with three deep shelves in it, plus two wide drawers on the bottom. The shelves hold my paper and larger tools and storage items, while the drawers hold my stamps and sorted larger embellishments. I also have a rolling Iris style cart that holds my really small embellishments like brads, etc, as well as less used items like tins and stuff to alter or make mini scrapbooks to put in. I'm still working on organising and paring down, so I have left all my magazines in boxes for now, but someday I will have those out on a separate shelving unit.

Sorry to hear you are having to downsize, but you will find a storage solution you like!

[cardmaker2]

Oh, I am sorry. You will be disappointed if you have had your own space. Having never had a space all to myself, I have had to keep my stuff very organized and keep my supplies under control. That might not be so bad... I share our home office with DH who has a small desk and laptop. He has a shelf of books, files etc. We have a library of sorts in here too so I am left with a limited space. I have a tower of drawers, 3 shelves and a desk. I keep my stamp sets down to under 35 (I am not a demo... that would definitely be more af a problem...). I think the benifit of sharing my space is having to be tidy, or it would drive me crazy. Keeps me organized.

I can't say as I have been helpful at all, as I read this back to myself. All I can think of that might be useful is to add that I keep Christmas stuff in a rubbermaid tote, out of the way, and sort of keep seasonal stuff handier as I need it. Like a person is supposed to keep their closet... I don't have enough clothes to do that, though...:(

Hope that helps in some small way, and that you find a great solution!

[staramaze]

Ikea makes some wonderful fold out desks. I have one for a "writing table" in my entrance way (small space). The desk top folds in and the bench fits right underneath. It is like 7 feet tall... so lots of room for storage... and the bench underneath has storage too!

Here is a link....
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...mber=S39806318

[kysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by staramaze

Ikea makes some wonderful fold out desks. I have one for a "writing table" in my entrance way (small space). The desk top folds in and the bench fits right underneath. It is like 7 feet tall... so lots of room for storage... and the bench underneath has storage too!

Here is a link....
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...mber=S39806318

I absolutely love that!!! It would only store a small portion of what I have, but I could keep what I use most in there, and store the rest in one of the hall closets (it has shelves for towels and stuff, but could be used for supplies). Thanks for the link!

[JulieHRR]

Heather-luv!

In keeping with the armoire concept, I know this is expensive/spendy--seriously--BUT, if there's anyway you could afford it, I think this would be the ultimate:

The Original Scrap Box

If I ever had to give up having a separate studio (mine is tiny, but it's MINE!), I told my hubby that this is the only acceptable solution . . .

Anyhoo, if there's any chance of enough profit from the sale of your previous home . . .

[staramaze]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

Heather-luv!

In keeping with the armoire concept, I know this is expensive/spendy--seriously--BUT, if there's anyway you could afford it, I think this would be the ultimate:

The Original Scrap Box

If I ever had to give up having a separate studio (mine is tiny, but it's MINE!), I told my hubby that this is the only acceptable solution . . .

Anyhoo, if there's any chance of enough profit from the sale of your previous home . . .

whoa! That is the coolest! that's like more space than I have in my whole basement! What a dream!

Seriously; if I won the lottery... I would have a "place for everything... everything in it's place"... I love organizational "stuff".

[Mahloumel]

I found a picture of the one I have, just in case it helps at all. The first link is the exact same armoire, and the second link is a pic with the doors of another model open. It's really deep; I can put my 12x12 scrapbooks on the shelves and still have ~6" of space in front of them.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4256170
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/detai...d=false&type=0

[kysmom]

Yes Julie, that is one cool storage unit... not sure dh will let me get that for a LOOONG time!! Thanks for your advice!

[kysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahloumel

I found a picture of the one I have, just in case it helps at all. The first link is the exact same armoire, and the second link is a pic with the doors of another model open. It's really deep; I can put my 12x12 scrapbooks on the shelves and still have ~6" of space in front of them.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4256170
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/detai...d=false&type=0

That looks nice too!! Thanks!

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by staramaze

whoa! That is the coolest! that's like more space than I have in my whole basement! What a dream!

Seriously; if I won the lottery... I would have a "place for everything... everything in it's place"... I love organizational "stuff".

If I could afford the Pottery Barn set up, that would be my first choice (wistful sigh), BUT, this is a much less expensive alternative, even if it is STILL waaaaaaaay outside my budget . . . (more wistful sighing).

What I love about it, however, is that I think I would at long last be able to FIND all the crap I've bought, and USE it. :rolleyes:

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

If I could afford the Pottery Barn set up, that would be my first choice (wistful sigh), BUT, this is a much less expensive alternative, even if it is STILL waaaaaaaay outside my budget . . . (more wistful sighing).

What I love about it, however, is that I think I would at long last be able to FIND all the crap I've bought, and USE it. :rolleyes:

Ooooh, I take back what I said. I looked at the price more closely, and for something of this kind, while expensive, it's not out of reach.

I could dig up some change from under the sofa cushions . . . sell off a child . . . ;)

[jailbirdstamper]

do you have an extra closet?? (ROFL because who ever has extra storage space?) but maybe you could convert an extra closet to a little office.

[willosmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

Ooooh, I take back what I said. I looked at the price more closely, and for something of this kind, while expensive, it's not out of reach.

I could dig up some change from under the sofa cushions . . . sell off a child . . . ;)

:shock: I would have to sell both of my children!!
Heather- where a ya moving to....maybe I could store some stuff for you;)

[twotallz]

Not sure exactly how much space you will have, but I had in my den a computer corner desk. Everything that I used regularly was at my fingertips. Then I had bookshelves and paper files next to it for stuff used on a somewhat regular basis. Everything else was in the den closet.

[Brenda71]

I had no extra space but made room in the spare bedroom/computer room's closet. Pix are in my gallery if you want to check it out. I made a desk using 2 filing cabinets. It's cozy, but works pretty well.

[wenchie]

I'm a little worried about this myself as we sold our house last week. We are downsizing since we no longer have kids in the house. We have to move by July 1st and have not had a chance to look for something else yet. My current craft room is 12 x 13. I'm sure that what I end up with in the new hut will be considerably smaller. I guess this is where I should be thankful I don't have the gazillions of stamps and pads that everyone else has.

Good luck in your organizing challenges!

[AimeeInOhio]

I have the teeniest, tiniest computer armoire known to man. it's not quite 5' tall, teeny tiny. I have on top of it photo boxes with embellies,beading supplies,etc,etc stored. I also have stuff in totes under my bed.

Aimee

[kathat]

I'm loving these ideas! I currently have a whole room but eventually,dd will need her own room and not be in ours anymore :-) I'm loving the Scrapbox that Julie showed and may have to seriously think about that someday.

[CMAINGOT]

heather you have a great gallery, I see you really love flowers!

[NaNel]

Mel, I really like the idea of your armoire--more affordable, a person could even have 2
But...I am going to show a picture of the other, gorgeous storage unit to DH and see what he thinks...can he do it!--yes he can!...but will he

[sprtchick]

Julie...look for change between and under the seats in your car. If the kids at the car wash have not found it first...lol

[kysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMAINGOT

heather you have a great gallery, I see you really love flowers!

Thank you Claudia!!!

[Cynamom]

OMG Heather,

I know I wrote you once (PM) a long time ago, but your work is my FAVORITE on SCS, and if you crafted out of the trunk of your car it would be the most amazing work around!! I mean that. I LOVE your gallery. Tell me your moving near Chicago and I'll be camped out on your doorstep!

You'll figure it out; there are some good suggestions here, too!

Cindy

[pearlie]

I understand your dilema! I recently cleared out my craft room to make way for a nursery and baby (due soon-Yeah!) so it was not really painful to make way for THAT sort of redistribution of 'stuff'. First, I went to Lowes and bought three cabinets designed for laundry room/garage storage, a tall cabinet and two 36" high cabinets. I used a folding table for a desk and put it up on filing cabinets, and installed two rows of shelving above it. All my 'light' stuff (ribbon, fiber, adhesives, embellishements, inks, etc.) went in to clear plastic shoeboxes on the shelves. All my 'heavy' stuff (paper, diecutting equipment, rubber stamps, etc.) went into the cabinets. I did a HUGE amount of purging and whatever did not fit inot my new space in the corner of our family room, is out the door (garage sale stuff, give away stuff, or garbage). It felt GOOD to rid myself of stuff I hadn't even seen in years, and now that the nursery is nearly there, it feels GREAT to have it done. It can be done!
Rachel V.

[scrappintxn]

If you can afford it look the for-keeps-sake website: When yo get there go to products and look at their stamp racks. They also have a table top that goes over them. I received the scrapbooking cabinet about 5 years ago as a Christmas/birthday gift and it is still in mint conition...like new. I got the wood toned melamine and it wipes clean with glass cleaner if necessary. I have all my supplies either in this cabinet (scrapbooking and stamping) or a closet designed by a local Container Store (they have a shelving sale every January) and my husband installed everything in about an hour.

[pedstamper]

You guys have some of the best ideas. I have an entire room (sorry about making people envious) but still can't figure out where to put things. We moved about a year and a half ago and I still can't find a lot of things I know I moved. I put things away then can't remember where they are. Anyone want to come over and help me organize in MO? I would gladly give you a bunch of things from my stamp/scrapbook room and have an extra bedroom to put you up.

[pedstamper]

http://www.collectors-cabinets.com/

This company has great things for storage of your things. I got one for the anniversary of my 39th birthday (actual birthday not revealed). It has all of my wooden stamps (haven't taken them off the wood yet). They have some great ideas and the prices aren't too bad (if you really are willing to sell a child).

[9kids]

We live in a trailer in Canada in the summers and FL in the winters. In each, I have an armoire similar to what is pictured above, but mine has 2 shelves that are on rollers....I use one for my work area and the second holds my trimmer. My armoire also has a large space in the bottom instead of drawers so I bought a scraprack and put that in the bottom along with my rolling tote that I use to go to crops. It's *very* compact and have loads of stuff. I got my armoires for $20 each at a yard sale, so splurged on the scraprack, and am absolutely loving my setup. Plus, the armoires lock so they keep my 2yo out of things!

[photocropper]

((hugs))

I know there was a closet in the gallery that someone posted....it was converted as a workcenter and looked so cool! Maybe you could consider something like that.

Otherwise I say invest in some large cabinets for storage. I think mine came from Lowes and it holds my 12x12 albums so that is a huge bonus!

[austamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jailbirdstamper

do you have an extra closet?? (ROFL because who ever has extra storage space?) but maybe you could convert an extra closet to a little office.

I have seen this done. It was a really nice set up, it was actually not a walk in closet with tri fold doors and they had converted into a little office for scrapping. I saw it in a magazine, I'll try to find that again.

[gqzmommy]

We moved last year and I lost my big office. I sort of claimed the island in the kitchen as my spot. I store my stuff underneath in the cabinets...well, not all of it. I travel to a friends weekly for scrapping and stamping, so some stuff is constantly in a cropper hopper, but when I'm home most of it is in the island. It's nice, because I have a big countertop to work on and it can spill onto the other countertops if necessary. The only crappy thing is that I can't just leave a project midway and move on to something else, I have to clean it up or toddler hands will be all over it.

The Original Scrap Box might just be on my wish list! I was promised a scrap room when we finish our basement, but I'd take that cabinet instead. I'll have to show the husband. He's going to Vegas and I told him if he wins lots of $$ that I'd like a new wedding ring, but I'd take that cabinet instead!

[kysmom]

More great ideas!! I guess I will have to wait until we get settled in to our new place, with all our stuff, then I can evaluate how much room I will really have. I really like the idea of the armoire style cupboard, that has doors I can shut to hide the mess. Guess it's just a matter of getting something big enough to hold it all. I will definitely check out the home improvement store, and possibly IKEA (it's kind of hit or miss for me with that place). Thanks for your advice and support! We are moving next weekend, and this room is the only one I won't allow the movers to touch! I will be moving it myself, in my own car!!!

[kysmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynamom

OMG Heather,

I know I wrote you once (PM) a long time ago, but your work is my FAVORITE on SCS, and if you crafted out of the trunk of your car it would be the most amazing work around!! I mean that. I LOVE your gallery. Tell me your moving near Chicago and I'll be camped out on your doorstep!

You'll figure it out; there are some good suggestions here, too!

Cindy

((((((HUGS CINDY)))))) You made my day....

[Twolfie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

Heather-luv!

In keeping with the armoire concept, I know this is expensive/spendy--seriously--BUT, if there's anyway you could afford it, I think this would be the ultimate:

The Original Scrap Box

If I ever had to give up having a separate studio (mine is tiny, but it's MINE!), I told my hubby that this is the only acceptable solution . . .

Anyhoo, if there's any chance of enough profit from the sale of your previous home . . .

Oh I love this, thanks for the linc, I wish I could afford it. But this is great too, I think I will show dear hubby this, and the price, might actually spar him into building what I want, would cost a lot less. Thanks. Great find.

[Glittergal]

Our place is small and, until my dd leaves home and I convert her bedroom to my stamping space, I have to make do with the dining room. Don't know if this helps much, but I have a very large, flat basket on the dr table that holds lots of my supplies (tape, scissors, glue stick, etc.) and when I need the table for dining (now, there's a concept!) - meaning, when guests are coming (we eat in the kitchen otherwise), I just take the basket and put it in another room.

I also determined a long time ago that I stamp way more than I entertain, and my guests/family aren't typically fancy, so I packed up my china and good stuff and store it in higher cabinets in the kitchen and my entire hutch now holds my stamping stuff - pretty nice, huh? (My dh doesn't care in the least; he's happy when I'm happy, which means, when I'm stamping!) Of course, I do have to clean up the dr when company is coming, but I usually plan my stamping sprees for a few days in a row when I know I can leave stuff out and just try to close my eyes to the mess. It works for me because I've made it work.

Good luck on your upcoming move, and let us know how things worked out for you.

[CardFanatic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

Heather-luv!

In keeping with the armoire concept, I know this is expensive/spendy--seriously--BUT, if there's anyway you could afford it, I think this would be the ultimate:

The Original Scrap Box

If I ever had to give up having a separate studio (mine is tiny, but it's MINE!), I told my hubby that this is the only acceptable solution . . .

Anyhoo, if there's any chance of enough profit from the sale of your previous home . . .

Wow! That's awesome!

[squirrellyshirley]

Hello Heather.

I was just reading the thread on your smaller home! Here is the hall linen closet I converted several years ago adding extra outlets on each side and a good ol' fashion shop light!! Its tiny but its mine.

my little corner of heaven by squirrellyshirley at Splitcoaststampers

my little corner of heaven by squirrellyshirley at Splitcoaststampers

Yes, I will admit that now that i have 3 little ones, it is tricky to find places for extra linen, games, etc, but all the rest of my drawers and closets remain uncluttered and totally usable!!

Good luck!! You have a wonderful gallery and I alway enjoy your work!!

Squirrelly Shirley

[katrn01]

It really is a cool storage option, even if you do have your own office space. I was looking at that too for something in my "if I had a dream" collection. And it is not too too too expensive It is doable if we spend just a little less on the stuff we are putting in it, right? That is hard to do, but this would be something I would think would be worth saving my pennies for!

Thanks for the great tips. I love this thread becuase I have a very small space to work with. One item that I love is my fold down craft table. when the flaps aer folded out, the table is 4x8 feet. and about 3 feet high. When the sides are folded down, it is only about 1 foot wide and can be rolled against a wall or in a closet. also, if space is real tight, you have the option of folding up just one side at a time. I got mine at Hancock fabrics a couple of years ago. I could not find it on the website just now, but I will try other craft store sites if you are interested and see if I can find something similar to what I have.

[katrn01]

thanks to everyone for all the great tips here. I am taking them into advisement if I ever move out of my apartment into a house. I don't want to purchase an armoire until I have room for that. I will make due with my closet and folout craft table until them!
Thanks
Kathy