Guest Picks: Smart Storage for Collections and Craft Supplies
Organize to your heart’s content with creative solutions for keeping all kinds of things neat
I’ve got a lot of craft supplies. My husband collects books and records. Needless to say, we have a lot of stuff, and we’ve tried to come up with creative solutions for organizing it all. If you’re a collector, being smart about your storage can mean a world of difference in keeping your home clutter free. — Heidi from Hands Occupied
Leal Black Wrapping Paper and Craft Storage Rack
If you attend a lot of holiday parties, birthday bashes, or baby or wedding showers, you might have a bewildering collection of wrapping paper. A tasteful storage rack like this might be the decluttering solution your space needs.
Expedit Shelving Unit, High-Gloss Red
The cubbies in the Expedit units from Ikea are the perfect size to store LPs. (My husband uses them to house his thousands-strong record collection.) While Ikea will be discontinuing the Expedit line of products in April 2014, it will debut a new design line, called Kallax. According to announcements from Ikea, the Kallax line will have the same LP-friendly dimensions.
Triton Products Tempered Wood Pegboards, Set of 2
A simple, old-fashioned pegboard is a great way to store personal collections. You can take items off shelves and out of drawers, and put them up on the wall out of the way.
6-Shelf Hanging Sweater Closet and Clothing Organizer
Adapting a sweater organizer as a yarn and needle storage unit is a smart way to maximize small spaces.
Lateral File Cabinet, 3-Drawer, Black
A simple file cabinet should be viewed as a sewing and fabric fanatic’s BFF. Did you know that you can fold fabric over a rod and hang it in a file cabinet, file-folder style? Also, you can use the file folders as intended to keep your sewing patterns organized.
Real Simple 3-Tray Holiday Ornament Storage
Your holiday decor is only on display for, in theory, six or so weeks a year. Keep your collection of seasonal family heirlooms safe with a few of these ornament storage bags.
Ribbon Organizer
I like this multiple peg ribbon storage system. You can organize ribbons by color, type, size, etc.
Classic Glass Apothecary Jar
Not only are apothecary jars crazy pretty and relatively timeless, but you can store anything in them beautifully. If you’re a baker, for example, you can use them to creatively store baking ingredients.
Ball 6-Pack Pint Heritage Mason Jars
I always keep a stash of good old mason jars around. Store baking ingredients that need an air-tight seal in them or, my personal favorite, use the lidless jars to hold paintbrushes.
Kamenstein 18-Jar Crisscross Bamboo Spice Rack
My husband loves to cook, so storing his spices is a “thing” in our house. I got him a special rack for his spices that’s a lot like this lovely one.
3-Tier Alder Wood Spice Rack
Not only are spice racks ideal for organizing spices (duh), but they’re a great way to store acrylic paints too.
Pet Supply Organizer
I’d call it a puppy picnic basket or a doggie diaper bag. With mesh pockets for letting dirt- and drool-covered tennis balls air out, a treat pocket and a rag (for dirty paws) pouch, this has everything a dog owner could need for a day at the dog park.
Wilton Ultimate Tool Caddy
If you’re super into making cookies, then this is for you. It’s a tackle box for cookie cutters and decorating supplies.
Seville Classics Kitchen Pantry Organizer
I’m not even that much of a baker, but I’m excited about this storage rack, which lets you organize your baking sheets, pizza pans and muffin tins in a nonclattering way.
StickOnPods Nail Polish Organizers, Set of 2
These cute little nail polish racks can be stuck almost anywhere. They're see-through, too, so you can color coordinate easily.
Fox Run Craftsmen Magnetic Tool Holder
Hey, any chef will tell you knives are collections too. Keep yours organized and at the ready with one of these handy-dandy magnetic strips.
Spool Safe
While this is designed for organizing fishermen’s fly-tying thread, there’s no reason it can’t be used by sewers.
Next: Collective Wisdom: Display Ideas for Collections of All Kinds
Next: Collective Wisdom: Display Ideas for Collections of All Kinds