The Sunday Mail
IF you have a hobby, like sewing, photography, music, DIY-ing, collecting stamps or trying to fix what your kids and significant other broke, it helps to have a dedicated workspace.
Below are three easy steps to create a functional yet stylish hobby or craft room.
Decide where to put it
You think you do not have space for a hobby or craft room? You would be surprised at the possibilities.
A client recently contacted us for help after their teenage daughter took over the family’s dining room. It was no longer used for eating, but was overflowing with craft store supplies and half-finished projects, among other things.
We helped the family turn the unfinished laundry room into a multifunctional room. The space has sliding wall panels hiding floor-to-ceiling storage and a standalone craft table in the centre of the room that also doubles as a place to sort and fold laundry.
There is no wrong place for a craft room. For instance, we love the idea of using odd spaces such as oversized closets, windowless rooms in a basement; even garage space.
Decide how to create it
Fortunately, it does not take much to create a craft or hobby room. You need some good storage shelves and a workspace with a table. However, depending on how much time you will spend there and what you expect to accomplish in this space, you may need to put a little more thought into it.
For comfortable work, you will need sufficient space — reliable and easy to clean. The table should either be fairly wide or be able to expand in the process of working on your project. Comfortable seating is also important. Designing experts suggest that having a comfy chair gives you a place for relaxation.
Lighting is another important consideration. You need a lot of light. If the room is not bright enough, add lamps.
Decide how to organise and store your supplies
To keep the room organised, you will need a storage system.
In advance, calculate the number of not only boxes and shelves, but even internal drawers. Ideally, all the most important stuff should be at hand.
Begin by grouping your stuff according to categories and types. Dedicate larger drawers to tools and materials in large quantities.
For the finishing touch, you will need to pick up suitable containers for each group.
You will need boxes, jars and organisers — all these can be found in any home goods store.
There are also creative ways to repurpose items. For example, decorate a glass jar and store threads, buttons or other small items in it.
If you have opaque containers, be sure to label them to help you locate them when needed.
However, you can also purchase bookcases, storage or have custom shelving installed.
When being creative, it really helps to have quick and easy access to the inputs you need — be it yarn, sewing thread, paint, paper, canvas, research material or reference books.
Consider the power of concealed storage — recessed cabinets, closet organisers, built-in bookcases and the idea of incorporating storage drawers or cabinets in your central work surface, custom built to match your unique needs and sense of style. — mymove.com
