As I mentioned I’m going to do a couple of posts, that will feature suggestions to maximize space and make efficient use of what is  available to us. 

The post that triggered the idea for the series, “My Dining Room Studio, No

Room? Re-purpose!”

The idea was triggered by an earlier post in which I bemoaned my small studio. It occurred to me that this might be of interest to other people too. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy a solution to a child’s bedroom clutter? How about a spot for doing homework? Or a usable corner of your kitchen for a computer/home office area?

 Maybe what you’d really is a space that’s all your own, to craft, sew, think, read or write. Didn’t Virginia Wolfe say “every woman needs a space of her own” ? Or was that room?

I’ll share mine, you share yours.

As a jumping off point, I’ll share some of the things we tried, in an attempt to carve out more space in my initial

studio. I’ll do a little research for any clever ones I can find from other sources.. At the very least, this might

trigger some of your own good ideas,  which I hope you’ll share. If I get them, I’ll include them, giving you the

credit naturally. If I get enough of a response, I’ll devote an entire post to reader’s suggestions, which I think

would be really fun.  Put on your thinking caps and help us all! Initially,

I’ll be focusing on sewing rooms , craft rooms, those sorts of rooms. But you could find applications for some of

the ideas in other areas as well. For example, I thought how similar the needs would be in a child’s room,

wouldn’t it? Getting control over clutter, the toys  and books scattered about their room. They need a place to

go and it can help the child to know where that is.

A few quick ideas to start.

Here’s a few quick ideas. It’s rather obvious if you can’t find space in a room, go up. Use those walls to

add extra storage and simplify your life.

You may find that certain tasks are less distasteful, if they take less time with everything is ready to go

when you are. You don’t have to waste time and energy assembling supplies, searching and gathering all the

tools you’ll need.

With all the effort needed to just set things up before you can even begin to work. It’s less than motivating to

get started. I know a few friends who have no space at all, it is a big production to pull everything out, set it up

on the dining room table then put it all away again when they’re done for the day.

There are lots of hanging storage bags made by several big craft companies. They have lots of pockets to hold

supplies. You could use all kinds of things, shoe bag hangers, jewelry storage bags [TJ Maxx great source].

Anyway to keep things together and in reach. Here’s a link with some great

New Sewing Area! (Photo credit: QueenieVonSugarpants)

ideashttp://decoratingfiles.com/2012/07/8-clever-craft-storage-ideas/

I have seen the perfect solution. There are craft or sewing armories. You open the two doors and there you are

facing a little desk height shelf with your sewing machine on it. Above and beneath are shelving. The insides of

both doors have been outfitted with clever little racks, shelves and places to store your supplies. Ingenious.

You could use the idea to make your own, with an old used armorie, you see them at old used furniture shops all

the time. If you have someone with a bit of carpentry skills, yourself or someone who’s willing to help you, it

could be done. I didn’t want to copy photos I found on the web, a no no, but you could easily find them to get an

inspiration and ideas.  Try Pinterest under storage or organization, I’ve seen them there too.

.An obvious solution, shelves. I have 2 half walls, a floor to ceiling cubby cube next to this and one full floor to

ceiling wall of shelving. I’m attempting to reorganize the fabric, starting with this one. So a lot is strewn about

on nearby cutting table and spilling all over. I’m going for color gradients. These are solids, marbled & batiks. I’ll

get there. Photos are motivating and embarrassing, that’s kicking me right into action.

See Ya! Barb

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