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What features / products would you have if you could design your dream craft room?
For instance, I envision something like a pull out cutting board that will be under my guillotine paper cutter and under that would be a garbage can. So when I want what I'm cutting off, the pull out thing catches it. And when I don't want what I'm cutting off, it goes straight into the trash. Has anyone seen anything like this or any other solutions to this problem?
What else would you put in your dream craft room? Pictures/links are great!
Mine isn't automated but it's 100x better than how it used to be. My cutting station is an Ikea table top on adjustable legs, taller so I can stand comfortably. A cardboard recycle box is just below which can be scooted over. Good sized scraps are moved to my left to be put away later.
Skinny scraps too small for recycling (they could blow away) are put into a metal vase that's next to the trimmer so I never have to bend over or move my hand more than a few inches. SKURAR Plant pot - IKEA
They have two sizes of this vase; I'm not sure which I have, will measure.
Dream? Bamboo or laminate floors instead of carpet and a big work sink/counter. Right now I Gelli plate in the kitchen since the table is stainless steel and prints can be tossed onto the island/stove top. My husband's bathroom is by my upstairs craft room/office, which is fine for getting water for watercoloring, etc., but not for Big Messy Stuff.
My dream room would have an assistant that cleans up after me.
I would have an index to my stamps and supplies, and current SU! would be categorized.
I'd have a filing system for Stampin' ideas, instructions, templates that I want to refer to.
I'd have a dedicated cutting, scoring station, and a dedicated table for my scan--n-cut.
I'd have plenty of space to store my completed (or store bought) cards in categories.
I'd have great lighting.
I know that I am not necessarily talking about the basics. As I sit here pondering, many of the basics are taken care of. I have a great filing system for card stock, stamps, colored mediums (paint, ink, pencils, markers, etc. etc.). My dsp is mostly organized - and all of my papers are NOT exposed to light, which I believe is important.
I'd purchase a better garbage can. The one I have is immense but it has little holes in it - which is a bit ridiculous for our craft because little pieces of paper are all usually over the floor due to falling out of the side of the garbage can. (The little things in life, right.)
Thanks for the question. i realize there are some things I can do that wouldn't cost a lot of money or time, and that would make my process smoother.
etc.). My dsp is mostly organized - and all of my papers are NOT exposed to light, which I believe is important.
Question: does DSP and card stock have to be kept away from all light (ie in a cabinet with doors or a drawer) or is it sufficient to have it out of direct sunlight?
Question: does DSP and card stock have to be kept away from all light (ie in a cabinet with doors or a drawer) or is it sufficient to have it out of direct sunlight?
Laura
Laura,
I used to work in a scrapbook and stamp store and all the cardstock was stored on shelves or wire cubes, none was exposed to direct sunlight but the storefront had floor to ceiling windows. It all ended up fading where it was exposed to daylight.
Fluorescent light fades all of the papers and cardstocks, too...
As far as features: An actual, functional lateral file for 12" x 12" papers. This is such a basic idea, but good luck finding one! That's why we do all of the makeshift things we do. The "cubes" intended for 12" papers NEVER hold up to the task! My husband claims that he "just wants to make boxes" - maybe I'll have him tweak that idea into file cabinets...? I got so aggravated that I chopped all (well, most) of my papers up just to be able to file them properly!
__________________ ~ Sue Happy for no reason...
Last edited by gregzgurl; 10-16-2017 at 06:07 AM..
Laura - I've always been careful with the bulk of my card stock and dsp but it sounds like Kathy answered your question. I have had stacks of paper that I've left out longer than I cared to (where is that dream assistant already, SMILE) - and those papers that I left out *have* faded just in a normal room with lighting and windows.
Laura - I've always been careful with the bulk of my card stock and dsp but it sounds like Kathy answered your question. I have had stacks of paper that I've left out longer than I cared to (where is that dream assistant already, SMILE) - and those papers that I left out *have* faded just in a normal room with lighting and windows.
Super helpful. I will have to design something in so that the cardstock and DSP can be covered.
A neat and tidy one, mine is so cluttered I have to craft elsewhere in the house now. A friend offered to organise it for me as it was overwhelming me and I left her to it, I found she had rearranged the half that wasn't bad and I couldn't find anything afterwards and her idea of organisation was totally different from mine, never again.
My current craft room is in an unfinished basement. My dream includes a real ceiling, an easy-to-clean floor covering that's softer under foot than bare cement, and lighting, lighting, lighting! Oh, and that assistant for clean-up would be over the top. :-)
My number one issue with my craft room (which I've put a lot of money and time into) is that it is not comfortable for me to work in and it is very frustrating for me. So, if I had one wish it would be to hire someone who is a specialist in setting up work stations ergonomically. After ALL the money I spent setting it up as it is now, I came to the conclusion that I should have bought a desk wherein I can stand, but again there would also be times that I have to sit as well, so I guess I'd need two desks LOL. I also have a small room so I don't have a lot of space to work with.
I know there are others out there who suffer from chronic issues so if anyone has some tips, perhaps I can try some of those. Oh, I did also do a lot of research, Googling 'craft rooms for disabled', etc, etc, etc to no avail. All I know is I wish I could be in my craft room more.
Wow, I just read back my comment and realized that I shouldn't be complaining at all because at least I have a craft room...just having one of those days I guess LOL.
You're entitled to talk about what doesn't work for you! And if it's physical, doubly so. : )
It could be a bit of a re-start, but IKEA has table tops with several leg choices. One of those choices is adjustable legs, linked above. They're used for my trimmer station, raising it to the most comfortable height for my height. I stood and pretended to cut paper and my husband measured how high that was. But if you get it wrong it can be changed.
If there is room for two desks/tables, separate or in an L, you could have one higher and one lower. Drawers can be put underneath, as they are for my lower one, but the trimmer station has a recycle box and a wheeled Advantus 12x12 paper cart under it.
I stamp sitting, but when adhering layers for cards, stand. So the higher table could be a combo trimmer station and for whatever else you like standing for.
IKEA also had a drafting table/desk that could be raised and lowered by pushing a button. I am not sure they still carry it as they are always discontinuing things but I know I saw one in 2017. It seems like it might be a great fix for some of your discomfort.
My idea of a Ideal Craft Room would have an island in the middle, a large top to work on & storage underneath. I like the open cubby's with organization storage containers for some things. All around the walls would be stations to work---sewing, cutting, etc., & cupboard below & above for storage, counter tops for laying out things that need to dry, etc, an open space for a chair to sit & knit, or journal in comfort. (My idea of journaling isn't like everyone else's with stamping etc. Just writing & reading.) And a large window for lighting. I would love to have some kind of shelving for papers, to pick from like you would in a store---all laid out in plain site. A sewing station, so I wouldn't have to lift my machine every time I wanted to use it, but it would be sitting out ready to use. A place for everything & everything in one place! LOL And an ironing board all set ready to use--could fold up into the wall; for whatever was needed-- just for crafting purposes! I think I'd also designate a wall for books or at least part of a wall. Oh yes, and a SINK for those messy projects, along with a small refrigerator with a freezer. ;) And a place to hang work & a shelf for others for displaying. Along with room for my easel. ;) I don't mind the cleaning of the room. It's just part of the playing! ;) I would love to be able to leave things when I'm in the middle of it all, & come back to where I left off, without having to pack it all up & store it away till next time. I haven't even bothered to look at product yet, as I wouldn't have the space for it now. But, the Island? I have it in our basement. It is a kitchen island that I LOOOOVE & we had in our kitchen in our other home. When it comes time, I will refinish it & it will be ready to go! ;)
Several thoughts.....we have plans to combine the basement laundry room with my craft room by removing a wall. This will allow for sink/water, cabinetry, recessed and task lighting, folding/work surfaces, etc. I plan to install a rubber floor for warmth, durability, waterproofing, and cushioning. Husband is a woodworker and has a floor sweep system in his shop...adding one to the laundry/craft room would be wonderful! Husband will be making the cabinetry as well...he's a keeper! Still in the planning stages but many of the ideas above are well worth considering.
Although my room goes through changes, it is my dream room. I am retired and spend lots of time in my room. My family has always helped me to make changes to it to accommodate my supplies. As a crafter you know how our supplies change. I find that with increased volume you need to change your way of storage. Once a great lover of wood mounted stamps, I was stubborn not to demount, UNTIL the stamp platforms from different companies came along. Now you will see me late into the night ripping stamps off the wood. Thankfully it didn't really change my inventory system much. I have reduced my stamp volume immensely and have gained more room for other stuff. The best part of my room is that I can have friends over to share in my crafting. as I have three sitting places and a standing position for cutting and use of the Big Shot. I find that I love storing my supplies together. Stamps in one area, paper in another, all inks in yet another, dies together, punches together, etc. With demounting, I will not have wood stamps in one area, and cling in another. They will be housed together in one area. Our son built a punch rack for me and it's a labor of love. I was always worried that I would outgrow it, but just in the nick of time, the dies started hitting the market. Papercrafting and cardmaking has been a hobby of mine for 19 years and so I learned organization of my supplies through building four different craftrooms. I laugh as I think that making cards is one hobby, buying the supplies is another, and organizing them is yet another.
Although my room goes through changes, it is my dream room. I am retired and spend lots of time in my room. My family has always helped me to make changes to it to accommodate my supplies. As a crafter you know how our supplies change. I find that with increased volume you need to change your way of storage. Once a great lover of wood mounted stamps, I was stubborn not to demount, UNTIL the stamp platforms from different companies came along. Now you will see me late into the night ripping stamps off the wood. Thankfully it didn't really change my inventory system much. I have reduced my stamp volume immensely and have gained more room for other stuff. The best part of my room is that I can have friends over to share in my crafting. as I have three sitting places and a standing position for cutting and use of the Big Shot. I find that I love storing my supplies together. Stamps in one area, paper in another, all inks in yet another, dies together, punches together, etc. With demounting, I will not have wood stamps in one area, and cling in another. They will be housed together in one area. Our son built a punch rack for me and it's a labor of love. I was always worried that I would outgrow it, but just in the nick of time, the dies started hitting the market. Papercrafting and cardmaking has been a hobby of mine for 19 years and so I learned organization of my supplies through building four different craftrooms. I laugh as I think that making cards is one hobby, buying the supplies is another, and organizing them is yet another.
After you "rip stamps off of wood", do you index the stamps? I need to see what the stamp looks like ---especially sentiments --- so I can stamp them straight. if you index the uncounted stamps, how do you do it?
Although I am thankful I have a craft room, my ideal craft room would not be in the basement, but upstairs. It would be large, large, large, with white cabinets and lots of natural light. It would have lots of counter space and yes definitely 12 x 12 file cabinets, which my hubby could all build for me if I just had "the room" ...........................Ah.......
__________________ Mary ~~ QFTD #152, FS#514CC Guest Design Team 2012, 2013, 2017 & 2022 2014 CAS Spring Design Team MemberSC Guest Design Team 2015 & 2022 SU Consultant "Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life" - Lion King
The desk I was thinking of was not this one, but I also wasn't able to find the one I was thinking of, either. The one I had in mind was not the BEKANT but it did have the electrical wiring to raise and lower it with a button like the Bekant is showing. If you are near a IKEA store it might be worth the trip to see what options they have, or wait and see if they introduce another similar item.
My number one issue with my craft room (which I've put a lot of money and time into) is that it is not comfortable for me to work in and it is very frustrating for me. So, if I had one wish it would be to hire someone who is a specialist in setting up work stations ergonomically. After ALL the money I spent setting it up as it is now, I came to the conclusion that I should have bought a desk wherein I can stand, but again there would also be times that I have to sit as well, so I guess I'd need two desks LOL. I also have a small room so I don't have a lot of space to work with.
I know there are others out there who suffer from chronic issues so if anyone has some tips, perhaps I can try some of those. Oh, I did also do a lot of research, Googling 'craft rooms for disabled', etc, etc, etc to no avail. All I know is I wish I could be in my craft room more.
Wow, I just read back my comment and realized that I shouldn't be complaining at all because at least I have a craft room...just having one of those days I guess LOL.
I agree with you gr8ideas! I have some issues too that I need to stand & sit for short period of times. Twisting & turning in my chair doesn't help either. That is why I like the idea of having an island in the middle, so I can stand there & work at times. Presently, I have a desk that I sit at & work, my space is our bedroom. I have to get up to do die cutting & cutting paper, standing at the bed to die cut & standing at another area to cut. (Of course, not everything will fit on my desk either, but that is good.) It is good to move around while crafting & keeps you from just staying in one place the whole time. ;)
Interested to see all the ideas and any pictures. We just moved and my hubby is designing my craft room this time around. He's taking all the ideas and then going to incorporate the best ones in my room. The good thing is he's great at doing computer renderings of rooms. It used to be a side job of his. So I'll know what to expect and exactly how and where it will fit in my room.
__________________ Mary Ellen
Would love to share some of my crafting with you - my blog
Sorry for taking so long to reply but been under the weather. I just wanted to thank you for your advice, which I will take into consideration at a later date. Being the busiest and most expensive time of the year, it's not the best time for me to purchase another desk but it is most definitely something that I will look at in the future! Really appreciate it! Happy crafting!
Thank you so much Annie for your input. I will keep an eye on Ikea, which is where I purchased most of the furniture I have now. Unfortunately, it was only after my desk was set up and I began making a few cards that I quickly realized that I should have gone with an taller island desk where I could stand. Husband and I recently decided that it is best for us to downsize as we just cannot keep up with the house we currently own so our plan is to move into something smaller but comfortable for just the two of us. That will be the perfect time to properly set up a craft room suitable for my needs, either with a mechanical desk or an island. Thank you so much for your feedback and happy crafting!
Hi In reading these posts I see several folks stand up or want to stand up to do crafts. I have to sit but this is my issue. However I've seen in office supply stores portable desks that rise up so a worker can stand up and not sit all day. I'm sorry I don't know what they are called but, a few years ago they were very expensive.I just looked it up here is a site that has different ones and there seems to be some on sale .VariDesk Standing Desk Converters. This might give you a place to start and research different types.
Also you may all know all about these I just discovered it last week, electric type scissors so I ordered one for $40. I have bad arthritis in my hands and cutting is an issue. I never knew they made these See them at Bob Vila's site.
I too am handicapped with arthritis and can’t sit in one spot for too long or I will be frozen with pain. The one thing I have invested in is a comfortable chair with 4 sets of substantial wheels which glide around my craft room via feet propulsion! It’s actually a gaming chair with ergonomic adjustable features to support my lower back, height of chair, tilt of back, removable arms etc. I try to group all of my sitting tasks together and all my standing tasks together. I also use my IPhone to set a timer for 30 minutes to remind me to do some stretching. I have really found that helpful otherwise the pain takes over my fun - no way I say!
Cheers to everyone.
Good thread! I am fond of stations, so stamping/painting, die cutting and a table or island for friends to work on together. Keep the items and tools pertinent at or near each station. Though I don't keep the stamps nearby. They are covered on shelving to reduce light exposure. I think stations are good for getting up and stretching the legs.
Robin
Last edited by robbinbobbin; 11-19-2023 at 05:25 PM..
LOL, Lela! The main thing I would change is to include a working sink - but there is no room for one in my current configuration. I tell myself I need the exercise, travelling the hallway to wash something - like glue off my hands.
__________________ Do or do not - there is no try! (Yoda) / SCS Featured Stamper FS730 / Dirty Dozen Alumni
The following 2 users liked this post by gaylestamps:
I want the room a friend had, in her 6,000 square foot house....
Walls of cupboards, drawers, tons of counter space, a massive cutting table (she quilted), even a refrigerator! Yeah, well, if I could afford a $2,000,000 house, then I could have such a room. (Not to mention her house also had my dream kitchen...)
The main thing I would change is to have a sink and order can-am cabinets as they hold dvds so fir SU stamps would be great, I’d also figure out a size for my punches, btw I believe they do have a cabinet to hold 12 x 12 paper check the LP record section, i would not need it as I bought a cabinet at Canadian tire. There could be several other changes but overall I am pleased with my space!
Nice to see this thread pop up and update after so many years. I'm crafting in part of the living room right now but will be moving into a room in just a couple of months. Can't wait! Although I'll be using the same furniture I have now, I can change the layout and I am SO looking forward to that.
The main thing I would change is to have a sink and order can-am cabinets as they hold dvds so fir SU stamps would be great, I’d also figure out a size for my punches, btw I believe they do have a cabinet to hold 12 x 12 paper check the LP record section, i would not need it as I bought a cabinet at Canadian tire. There could be several other changes but overall I am pleased with my space!
I use an over-the -door shoe holder for my punches. I can fit several in one pouch, depending on size. I sort them by shape —- oval, circle, hear, etc…
The following 2 users liked this post by janesprando:
I use an over-the -door shoe holder for my punches. I can fit several in one pouch, depending on size. I sort them by shape —- oval, circle, hear, etc…
actually I do that too have 3 of them plus some in plastic drawers, I think metal drawer cabinet might be neater but like the kind that have drawers that pull out so you can easily grab stuff from the back
For those who need to alternate between sitting and standing: My table (4'x8' slab of melamine-covered particleboard) is at counter height because it's perched on/supported by three-shelf bookcases. My dining room table is also counter height and came with six chairs. We only use four, so one of the extras is what I sit on in my craft room when I need to sit. My desk at work is a standing desk that is adjustable (it's really this work bench from Home Depot and will be relocated to my craft room when I retire next year), and my chair there is an adjustable-height office chair. It might be easier/more cost-effective to invest in a taller or adjustable chair and raise the table height permanently (swap out the legs or add blocks to the bottom or something) rather than buying an adjustable table or trying to accommodate two tables. I have an anti-fatigue mat at the end of the table where I stand most of the time. The chair is on the side facing the television, lol...
__________________ ~ Sue Happy for no reason...
Last edited by gregzgurl; 05-13-2023 at 07:11 AM..
OOh I like that table from Home Depot. Those two drawers on front would be handy for the most-used things (favorite black ink pad, stamp positioner, etc.) and the fact that it's on wheels means I can rearrange furniture to my heart's content! lol
ETA - I looked at the additional photos and they include a woman in her craft room! too funny...
Dream Craft Room
