Organizing the Mess: 5 Ways to Get Started

Do you dream about an organized craft space, but get overwhelmed when you try to make it a reality? We get it. It’s true that craft organization requires time, effort, and a solid understanding of your crafting process. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all at once. Starting the process does not need to be the hardest part of your organizational journey. Take a look at these five different ways you can start organizing your crafts today.

#1 Take Inventory

The first way to help you start organizing is to take inventory of your supplies. Taking inventory of all of your paper products, tools, ink pads, markers, etc., will help you to visualize exactly how many items you will be organizing, storing, or displaying. Utilize this free downloadable craft inventory to mark the quantities, dimensions, and locations of your supplies.

#2 Consider Your Process

Each crafter has a unique creative process that impacts how they craft. This starting method allows you to consider your preferred crafting style. To understand what makes your process unique, ask yourself a few questions. How long does it usually take you to set up your space? Do you find yourself reaching for certain items more often? Do you naturally spread your supplies out on your work surface, or do you prefer to keep them in separate areas? Considering the dynamics of your crafting process makes it easier to determine an organizational layout that is both catered to you and your space.

#3 Map Out Your Space

If looking at all of your supplies seems too anxiety-inducing, start by just focusing on the space or room where your supplies reside. Take a step back and look at exactly how much room you have to work with. Don’t forget to consider all of your wall space, and feel free to go vertical! If you feel surrounded by boxes, bins, or other items that are taking up precious floor space, think about what a taller unit could provide.

#4 Pinpoint Your Stressors

Do you find yourself always starting new projects, but never finishing them? Think about why you lose interest or motivation. Are you frustrated because certain items are hard to access or put away? Do you have to sift through multiple bins just to find the paper you want to use? Is it easy to forget where you put certain tools or supplies? Zeroing in on these stressors will assist you in setting specific goals for the functionality of your re-imagined craft space.

#5 Think About How You Move

Picture yourself ready to craft. Are you standing or sitting? Which supplies will you reach for first? Thinking about the way you position yourself and the way that you move within your space will help you notice the spaces that are important to you. This exercise will also allow you to examine the accessibility of your space. If you often bump into pieces in your craft space like bins, table corners, or light fixtures, note these areas for when you are designing a newly functional and organized space.

And there you go! No matter how you start, all that is important is that you took the first step. Committing to organizing your craft space is something that you certainly will not regret. When you are ready to take the next step in your organizational journey, check out our article “How to Organize Your Craft Space in Five Practical Steps”.