A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

Home Organization Ben Soreff Home Organization Ben Soreff

8 Simple Ways to Organize Your Craft Room

Looking for a way to bring order into your creative space? Look no further! Here are 8 simple ways to organize your craft room.

We partnered with a art supply company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Having hobbies is super fun, but sometimes the supplies and finished products can take up too much space and make a clutter. Here are 8 simple ways to organize your craft room and make it a fantastic place to work in.

1. SORT AND CATEGORIZE INTO DIFFERENT CONTAINERS

You don't want to go rummaging through large boxes with a bunch of different stuff to find what you need, so start by separating things into different categories and containers. Whether you like baskets, drawers, or boxes, you will surely find something that fits the style of your room. When organizing your craft room, avoid things that will make it look cluttered. For smaller items, instead of putting them all in one place, consider buying a file organizer or small craft drawers. You will save time from having to sort through them to try and find what you need. And if you want to save some money, we recommend using DIY ways to organize.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR CRAFT ROOM WITH SHELVES AND DRAWERS

Now that you have your items organized, it's time to find a place for them! Open shelving is great because it makes your things easy to find. With nice-looking containers, the room will come together as well. You can decorate the containers and your shelf in a way that speaks to you and make a space you feel inspired to create. Other than that, a cheap way to organize things is to buy plastic drawers. Combine them with some drawer dividers to make the most of them.

3. TOO MANY SUPPLIES? INVEST IN EXTRA STORAGE SPACE!

Sometimes, the space we have is limited, and even if we don't have many things, they still make the room look cluttered. So for storing all those extra craft supplies, on-site solutions are the answer. For an affordable price, you will declutter your home and have your supplies safely stored near you. You've probably thought about getting rid of crafts you've made because you just don't have the space to keep them. That will no longer be the case with a smart solution like this. 

4. ONE OF THE SIMPLE WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR CRAFT ROOM IS TO LABEL EVERYTHING

The best piece of advice is to label everything as you sort it. It will take up a little of your time and has many advantages. You won't have to look into every drawer or box to find out what's in it. Knowing that everything has a designated place will make you more prone to putting things away in their right place instead of leaving them wherever's convenient. Today you have so many different types of labels, so even if you opt for transparent storage containers, you can still label what's inside to make it look nicer.s

5. USE VERTICAL SPACE TO THE MAX

There are so many practical ways to utilize vertical space. For example, you can hang a rack or a shoe organizer on the inside of your door or buy one of many beautiful baskets to hang on the walls. If you use a lot of paper for crafting, buy a wall-mounted paper roll holder. You can easily add cupboards or floor-to-ceiling shelves with a ladder for easy access to those things you don't use every day. Turn your supplies into décor with pegboards or magnet boards. They are easy to install and really practical because you can organize and customize them however you want. With these, your tools will be easily visible and accessible with just a hand's reach. Furthermore, they free up more space on your crafting surface for projects!

6. BUY PRACTICAL FURNITURE

If you want to redesign your crafting space completely, find the most useful pieces of furniture for the space. Until you decide what you want to keep and what not, professionals from Zippy Shell Columbus advise you to ask for help storing and moving your old furniture. What sort of pieces of furniture should you look for? Look for items that don't take up too much space and that have multiple purposes. Many desks have shelves on the side that can be used for supplies you use most often. And if your room is small, you can buy a wall-mounted desk that can be folded into the wall or even an expandable desk that you can use for bigger projects without it taking up most of the room. What's great is multi-purpose furniture, such as a bench that has storage space underneath. Also, just because a space is hard to reach doesn't mean it can't be used for storage! For example, we recommend finding a rolling storage cart in the space between your closet and a wall. It's easily accessible and makes the most of this situation.

7. REUSE AND REPURPOSE YOUR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

This way is both budget and eco-friendly! So many different things can be repurposed as storage solutions, such as an old jewelry stand. This is great for hanging smaller items like scissors or washi tape. Another thing that can be repurposed is old spice containers and spice racks that can hold many different items without taking up much space. Besides that, hang old planters on the wall instead of buying new shelves. For paper, you can reuse and decorate an old mail sorter. Old jars and tins can be very useful, and you can decorate them in so many different ways. When working with certain materials like acrylic sheets, knowing the right way to cut them can save time and effort. If you're considering using acrylic in your projects, check out this guide to ensure a smooth and precise cut.

8. MAKE A DESIGNATED DISPLAY PLACE FOR YOUR FINISHED CRAFTS

No matter what you like to create, it's nice to organize your craft room and leave a little room for all your finished products. You will have a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to design and make even more. Your art will be the center of attention to anyone walking into your craft room. You will feel proud of yourself and get the energy to create even more!

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How to Clean and Organize Your Pantry

Cleaning and organizing your pantry are some of the simplest ways to prepare meals more quickly and for less money. Making food or a weekly meal plan is simple when you can see the ingredients you have on hand. A tidy pantry prevents you from overspending on items you already have and will also save you from squandering money on things you forget about.

Cleaning and organizing your pantry are some of the simplest ways to prepare meals more quickly and for less money. Making food or a weekly meal plan is simple when you can see the ingredients you have on hand. A tidy pantry prevents you from overspending on items you already have and will also save you from squandering money on things you forget about.

Not only will cleaning and organizing your pantry make mealtimes a lot simpler, but it will also move you closer to a healthier, happier family.

Why Cleaning the Pantry is Important

Some believe that the pantry doesn't require cleaning, but it's a great practice to give it a thorough cleaning at least once a month. By doing so, you'll be able to manage the food in the pantry and cut down on waste. Routine cleaning is also essential to prevent pests like mice and weevils.

How to Clean the Pantry

STEP1. Provide space to hold your pantry stuff.

Emptying your pantry is the first step toward organizing and cleaning it. Therefore, make a spot to hold whatever you've been storing in your pantry. Using your clean kitchen countertop is an option, but if moving items, there will take a lot of walking and slow you down; lay a mat on the floor. 

STEP2. Divide food stuff into four piles.

  • KEEP- Food you and your family enjoy! Food that you have recently eaten up and might see yourself consuming again. All the fresh stuff that you just bought in the grocery.

  • DONATE- Included in this pile are any foods that are still edible but that you are not planning to eat. Put it here if you have something you bought for a recipe but never used and don't want to use. Put everything in a box and deliver it to the food bank in your area.

  • TRASH- Expired food items and open containers must be put in this pile. Do not think twice! If it is too old to consider eating, appears off, and has a foul smell, throw it away. If you are not going to consume them now or soon, it is better to dispose of them now.

  • COMPOST- Any food item that fits the "trash" pile but is compostable and not rotten. Find a compost collection nearby or compost at home. If you can't compost for a while, you can store it in a closed container in the freezer.

STEP3. Dust and sanitize the shelves.

It's time to address the actual space. Put on your best cleaning gloves, grab the all-purpose cleaner and some rags, and start cleaning the shelves where the existing food supply will stay. You only need to wipe them down to remove dust and grime, and it won't even take long.

STEP4. Repackage your dry goods.

It's not just for Instagram; you should store dry goods like pasta, cereals, and other items in clear containers. Protecting your food from home pests, which may multiply and eat down paper and even plastic, is also essential.

To prevent pests from entering your containers, make sure they lock or seal tightly. If you wish to use labels, go with opaque types if you like being able to see what's inside them quickly. Additionally, square, stackable containers are preferable to circular ones if you have a tiny pantry because they take up less room. 

STEP5. Make strategic shelving.

You divided the items you regularly use from those you only occasionally use when taking items out of your pantry. It's time to put things that you frequently use in one collection. If you often bake cookies, keeping your baking ingredients close to the sprinkles and chocolate chips will save you a lot of time. Maintain a relative distance between the pasta and canned vegetables if you love to make soups.

A helpful organization tip is to arrange items on the pantry shelves according to how frequently you use them. As an example, consider this:

  • Top Shelf: Food and other supplies for special occasions or seasons.

  • Eye-level Shelf: Foods you frequently use, arranged by purpose like baking ingredients near your cookie cutters.

  • Easy to Reach Shelf: Healthy snack options you want your children to choose, as well as less regularly utilized foods with a long shelf life, such as canned goods.

  • Bottom Shelf/ Floor: Items that are too risky to put on higher shelves. The bulky and heavy ones must be placed on the lowest part.

Additional Pantry Cleaning and Organizing Tips:

  • Make a master list to record what you still have in the pantry and what ingredients you need to replenish.

  • Repel annoying moths by putting up muslin bags with fresh bay leaves, mint, lavender, or cedar.

  • Keep the food in sealed containers, and be sure to mop up spills or crumbs right away to stop pests like bugs from entering your pantry.

  • If your pantry has deep shelves, try installing pull-out shelves so it will be easier for you to access the food items at the back.

  • Maximize your pantry by utilizing its door. Install door shelves to hold small containers or jars like spices and condiments.

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5 Organization Projects to Get Done This Summer

The days are getting longer, the weather is gradually improving, and everyone’s allergies are acting up. It can mean only one thing: summer is upon us.

The days are getting longer, the weather is gradually improving, and everyone’s allergies are acting up. It can mean only one thing: summer is upon us. 

If you’re a sun worshipper, then summer is the best time of year. You get to spend quality time outside in your garden and can finally have fun outside without having to pack multiple layers of waterproof clothing. 

Summer is a great time for fun and relaxation, but it’s also a good time to get on top of organization projects that may have been on the back burner during the long winter months. 

Home Improvement Tools 

When was the last time you truly reorganized your garage or cleaned your home improvement tools? In reality, most people never take the time to clean, repair, and reorganize the home improvement tools that they keep in storage during the winter. 

Failing to organize your home improvement tools can lead to damage and decay, as your clippers, trimmers, and garden forks will likely rust if left in cramped, damp spaces. You can better organize spaces like garages during the summer by: 

  • Adding shelving to raise tools off the floor

  • Using plastic bins with a seal to prevent condensation

  • Adding windows like canopy lights and LED lights 

  • Utilizing hardy storage cabinets to reduce clutter and get more from your space

Organizing your home improvement tools is a perfect job for the summer. You won’t have to work with cold hands and can focus on DIY projects from dawn to dusk. 

Gardening Supplies

During the pandemic, many folks discovered a deep love for gardening. This is hardly surprising, as gardening gives us all a chance to complete simple-yet-rewarding tasks like sewing crops, deadheading flowers, and watering vegetable patches.

But, as any green thumb knows, gardening requires some serious organization. You need to organize everything from your seeds to your shovels to ensure that your plants are happy throughout the warm growing season. 

Building a shed is the best way to organize your garden supplies. You’ll need to choose plans that suit your space and should think of a gardening shed as a workspace and a storage unit. This means you’ll need space to work on things like planting seedlings but should also have deep shelves and a plethora of hooks to keep your tools near at hand. 

When building a shed in the summer, look out for potential leaks and cracks before you call it a job well done. It’s easy to forget the heavy rains that come with the winter and spring seasons, but you don’t want to be standing in a puddle while you try to sew seedlings next spring. 

Outdoor Sports

Playing outdoor sports like tennis, softball, and badminton is a brilliant way to bond with friends and family during the summer. However, you need to stay organized to avoid disasters like rusted rackets or bent bats from ruining the fun. 

You can better organize seasonal sports equipment by utilizing wall and ceiling space that prevents delicate goods like stringed rackets from becoming damaged. While all of your storage should be practical, you can show off your sporty side by hanging your prized possessions like road bikes or surfboards from PVC pipes. Hanging equipment in a safe but prominent location will also help you spot any damage and make repairs before you paddle or peddle out. 

Crafts and Games

Some crafts and games like knitting and board games are best for the winter when the days are short and the weather is poor. If you find that your family is no longer interested in these winter activities during the summer, it might be time to donate to charity. This will help reduce clutter, aid your organizational efforts, and give you a little extra cash to reinvest in summer fun. 

Some of the best summer games involve things like paddling pools, water fights, and simple games like bocce ball or cornhole. But each of these activities takes some organization on your end as a host — you don’t want to discover that you’re missing a ball or have a puncture in your pool when your family and friends are getting ready to play. 

When organizing crafts and games, pay attention to mismatching sets and damaged goods as it’s usually easier to simply replace missing or broken items rather than repair them. Once you have taken stock of your crafts and games, try to keep all the pieces together in the same space by using plastic storage bins that keep everything together and prevent small animals or dampness from ruining the fun. 

Pantry 

There are few summer activities better than throwing a party for your friends and family during the summer. But, before you can become the Gatsby of your neighborhood, you’ll need to ensure that your pantry is well stocked and organized. 

You can organize your pantry this summer by keeping a separate shelf for snacking kids who are enjoying their school-free summer. This will keep little hands from wandering into places they shouldn’t go and free up space in your pantry for cooking ingredients. It’s also worth keeping your stables like pasta and cereals in clear Tupperware, as you’ll go through a surprising amount of day-to-day food supplies when kids and friends are over at your home. 

Conclusion 

The summer should be a carefree season full of good times and memorable experiences. As your household’s Chief Organizing Officer, you can get on top of projects like shed construction or pantry organization early as this will help prevent mishaps down the road and ensure that everyone has a good time this summer.

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