Open Shelves Or Cabinets??
 

I am curious as to what others find more usable in your scrapbook/craft room?

1 - Open Shelves that enable you to see your supplies?

2 - Closed cabinets so that things look more neat?

3 - Combination?

4 - Counters?

5 - Tables?

Please tell me your reasons or choices as to how you set up your room. I will be getting a new room soon and am thinking about how I want it set up. I like the look of everything neat and tidy but am afraid that I will not use all that I have because of it.

Anxiously awaiting responses - Thanks!!

Subscribing--I've been mulling over the same issue, closed or open shelving. Go back and forth on it myself, so will be interested in others' input, especially those that actually HAVE one or the other and love or regret their choice!

I have a combination of drawers, shelves and countertop. If I don't see it, I tend not to remember to use it.

Wanda

Open Shelves. That way I can see everything I have, so I don't forget about it. (Of course so can DH)

I love my open shelving - I have a huge closet that we put shelves into and took the doors off. Like all the rest I have to see it to use it or I will forget about. This also makes you clean up more often because you can't close the doors on it.
Kathy

Open Shelving
 

I don't have room for doors to open, and I also like being able to see what I have on the shelves : )

I prefer and have/use all of the above except for counters. I prefer to sit while working since I'm short, jut more comfortable.

Open shelving......I can see what I have and will use things more often. ease of reaching/returning to space.
Closed Cabinets........I like those to store my machines in to keep dust and fur bunnies from. Also prefer to store refills, and overstock items.
Tables........More room to spread out on. Need room for things to dry, organize parts to a project while completing other parts of projects. Projects in the works. Don't feel as closed/boxed in as working at a desk with a hutch in front of my face.

Also prefer 2 different tables just to work on. Computers and printers on separate desks in close proximity to my craft space.

Chair at computer, chair at craft tables each with wheels.

Patti

I like open shelving for 2 reasons. I won't use what I cannot see. Also, I tend to be messier if it's hidden. I'm more likely to stay neat if everything is open.

Wow this is a loaded question.
Closed cabinets - I use them for my tools, bind-it-all, die cut machines - that way they stay dust free and not in the way taking up space when not in use.
I also like my card stock in closed cabinets - for the same reason - keeps it dust free.
Extra supplies are kept this way too.
Open shelves - I like to keep my stamps, inks and punches out on open shelving to see them. Even my ribbon is out in the open too.
Table tops - love my big table surface to work on - I like to have enough room to spread out a little.
Counter space - I like this for supplies i use often - My ribbon is displayed on the walls that the counter is on, ink pads are on the counters, cutters are ready to use on counter space - I have a sink that is very handy in the counter space! Love my sink!
My chairs are not on wheels but what a great idea.
So basically I have a combination of the above and depending on what the scrapbook or stamping item is - is how it is stored.
Everyone has to decide what works for them and the space they have.

I have a big armoire that the doors pop off of easliy... that way I can close them to make it look more neat, but when I am sitting down and crafting, I pop the doors off and can just turn around in my chair and grab whatever I need.... It's the best of both worlds.

I prefer open shelving, because if I can't see it, I don't use it. I do have a couple of drawer units in my room and honestly I wouldn't even be able to tell you what's in them. The rest of my stuff is out in the open and I love it! I thought it might be a pain to keep everything organized and neat looking but it really isn't. It actually makes it easier because I know exactly where something goes to put it away.

I chose combination. ;) I have open shelves from the waist up, and cabinets down below.

I love the cabinets because I can throw the 'messy' looking stuff down there and no one can see it. The open shelves are great for 'decorative' type items. In between these two items, I have a counter top.

I also have an island (Ikea) that I use for my tabletop workspace.

I can't find any photos, but if you go to my blog, you can see everything in one of my videos.

I love it, because it's 'pretty' while being functional.

I have Closed, but I'd prefer open. My craft room is the first thing you see when you walk in the door.

All depends on if you have cats or not! LOL. I can just imagine the mess I would find when I get home if I had all those toys laying out for the cats to get into! :) It is drawers and large inexpensive plastic see through drawers that stack from Big Lots for me.

I really needed to be able to pick more than one - I have closed cabinets with countertops and under cabinet lighting. It works REALLY well for me.

Good Poll
 

I picked combination. I have closed cabinets with shelves and drawers and long counter. I like the ability to close it all up when you are done and have 1/2 of a long wall filled with cabinets and a kitchen counter. Above the counter are cabinets with shelves that I filled with my stamp sets in plastic boxes (SU boxes mostly that are clear and labled on two sides) so I can see them quickly. I have not organized my sets by alpha or anything crazy yet!

Then underneath are large drawers that I have scrapbook and decorative papers and work in process items.

On the wall between the top cabinets and the counter I have several organizers attached - a three tiered open metal shelf, a deep drop down "screw and bolt" organizer with 16 drawers and cubbies, peg board and a bulletin board takes up the rest of that wall space.

Ideally if I had to do it all over I think I would still go for the closed cabinets but install more drawers under the counter. We left two open areas/spaces on either side of one set of drawers to accomodate two people working at the counter but that never really happens. And would duplicate the same setup in a room of my own. But that won't happen till I will the LOTTO :)

Open shelving is my overall preference. I like being able to see what I have.
So most of my stuff is in various plastic storage boxes on open shelves.

I have a mixture of everything! My desk has cabinets and drawers to keep things out of site, I have two wall mounted desks to photograph, cut, sew and cuttlebug, then open shelving to store stamps, papers and alterables.

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=130773

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=130773

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=130773

I have my grandmother's HUGE china cabinet. We removed the doors off the top part to leave it open and I love it. The cabinet was going to waste just holding knickknacks and whatnots in it not to mention the old china set of my grandmother's. So my DH thought it would be a good idea to put it to use for all my scrapping supplies. I also have a desktop shelf that my DH built the other weekend and it's perfect for certain things. I just prefer to be able to see my supplies because if I don't see them I forget I have them.:D

My space is all planned out and cabinets and countertops are on order. I'm really going to have "all of the above" because I'll have some closed cabinets for (like others have said) messy-looking stuff, open shelving for the organized-looking stuff, and even some top cabinets that have doors that open from the bottom, swing up, and lock in an open position - the best of both worlds...open when I'm working and closed when I'm not! For lower cabinetry, I'll have a combination of doored units, small and large drawers, and open space for things like iris/elfa carts. And a free-standing double-wide table in the middle for extra work space.

I voted combo. I would like having open shelves to display my scrapbooks and pretties but I like being able to close the door on the bulkier not so pretty stuff. I would also have plenty of counter space.

I have an old armoire that holds my su stamps sets, photo boxes and alterable items in the 5 drawers. the armoire also has a small "closet" area that has unknown boxes thrown in. I have another storage cabinet with doors that holds my papers, punches, photo boxes and extra stuff. i also have a 9 ft counter space that i work on and underneath i have more storage.

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=44893
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=44893
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=44893

since these photos were taken I have reorganized it a bit.

I prefer a mix. I think all cabinets nutures a hoard and stuff nature. So I like mostly open with a few closed cabinets for stuff I just don't want to look at all the time.

Certain things I want in cupboards, others on shelves.

I have to have everything in clear or white containers, shelving and cupboards. White makes everything *clean*.

I pretty much like things behind closed doors or in drawers. The drawers I have are the sterlite plastic (clear) so I can see through them, but it is enough so that everything is put away. I can't deal with visual clutter when I am working.

I have one basket/bag on my desk that has a bunch of basics but everything else is in drawers or in the closet. The basket has the basic tools, adhesive, scissors, etc. that I use every day/time I craft.

I like the closed cabinet for my stamp sets,ribbon,etc. on my craft table (which is a one of those larger fold down tables) I have a cubby that DH made for me and that is open so that I can grab what I need at a glace. My CS is stored in a filecabinet, organized in color families and all labeled so that I know where everything is. I should mention that my craft space is shared with the dining room so I need to be able to close things up when we have company and when I don't want DH to see some of my new purchases lol. I think that when/if I ever have my own room for my crafts I will probably stay with the way I have it now (I am kinda a neat freak at times and I hate clutter)

Usually for me it is out of sight out of mind. So open shelves work for me. I have some drawers with stuff in it, but I seriously need to label them. I forget what I have in them. The down side is that I am not a super neat person, so any clutter shows. Oh well, a cluttered stamp room is a sign of a creative mind right?? I keep telling myself that anyway. :)

Ya know...
 

when I was creating my room I had to think about the sun exposure. I face southwest, so I have total sun!

Here is a link to my room--I have a combo of open/closed. My paper is in my closet and the cart under the counter. I didn't get upper cabinets because I couldn't come up with a combo to fit the space. The wire cubes are the ones from Target.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.a...out_id=1277289

HTH,
Ginger

I voted for a combination as well. I bought an Ikea Epedit console thing with drawers that is at counter height, and I love it for cutting paper, etc. I tend to like to stand when I do many things except coloring, so it is a good height for that. I just need an elf to organize it, because I get half way through cleaning, get bored and pull supplies back out to play.

I'm for a combo as well. I want to be able to see as much of my stuff as possible, but I have all my cardstock/paper in cabinets. Even without direct sunlight, papers can fade. I also have my scrapbooks in there to keep the light and dust off of them.

wow!
 

Thanks for all the responses, this gives me food for thought. I am leaning toward combination myself. I think that if I don't see my supplies, I will forget to use what I have!

This has been great thanks!

I vote combo because it is always good to have choices.

Ginger I am drooling over your room not to mention the baskets. What is the size of your room?

I like everything but if you're looking at shelving options I think that both open shelves and closed are needed. You want to have those things that you want to be able to see and display out and open but I personally like to hide tools and the fast clean up stuff cuz company is coming behind closed doors :-) Plus, I have 3 kids and share my space with the Xbox so it helps to put some things behind closed doors at times, especially when we have play dates because my kids know not to play with mommy's toys but their friends don't always know that.

Ideally I would have both. Probably more closed than open. I find that my creativity goes out the window when I see clutter or too much stuff. My clean-freakishness takes over my creative side and I feel claustrophobic. (Man do I need help! ;) ) I like to have my space neat even before I get to work on a project and I clean up in between projects.

I saw your question yesterday and didn't have time to reply.....but I just got my Studio set up and I went with cabinets (I'm an organize freak)...with saying that there is a definite lack of "inspiration" in my room because everything is so closed up. So I would personally go with both open shelving and cabinets. Think it through first.

In reference to tables or counters...I did countertops...........but I now realize that I like to work in front of me and not side to side. If I realized my process I would of gone with old (or new) solid wood doors that you can usually pick up extremely cheap and put a couple of file cabinets underneath. Doors are much wider and would of suited me better.

Other suggestions I would like to give is if you go with cabinets make sure they are 15" in depth otherwise the standard is 12" will not fit most of your items. Also make sure you have shallow drawers. I do not and they are like a junk fest!!!! I will eventually have someone make me a "tray" to put on top of each deep drawer I have...thus spending more money in the long run.

With all of this said "I love my studio and feel so blessed to have it". Now if I just could get better bandwidth to the internet so I could post more pictures in my gallery my life would be just PERFECT. (lol,lol,lol) (I have a ton of stuff to post and just don't!!)

Good luck and hth.

I keep my stamps in closed cabinets - less dusting that way. Other things that see more frequent use are on open shelves.

I have closed cabinets/drawers. I actually prefer my stuff this way because my apartment is livingroom/kitchen combo and my supposed living room is my craft area (no couch/tv=no company! lol). I like it this way because everything is dust free for also the area looks neat. I totally understand everyone's point of out of sight out of mind because usually I go..."oooohhh I DID have that"!!

Combination
 

I have an office/craft room and keep papers in a lateral file drawer. I have an armoire for most stamps and supplies. I do like to keep paper cutter, stamp cleaner and other regular items on my work table. Hey, can anyone tell me about ink pad organizers at Ikea? Someone mentioned them and I can't find them in their online catalogue -- perhaps it is called something else?:confused:

I would love to see more pictures ........hint hint

If I have a choice, I want all of those options! ;)