— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.What no one tells you about crafting is that it requires a lot of stuff. You’ll likely end up owning lots of tools and materials as you go deeper and deeper into the craft world.
Of course, accumulating all the right tools means you’ll need to find a place to store all of them, which is especially true if you live in a small space where every inch counts. The good news is that the craft world is full of storage options that fit every need, whether you live in a large house and dabble in a bunch of different crafts or you focus on a single material and rent a cozy apartment.
We’ve taken a look and compiled some of the best ways you can store your crafts, whether you have a massive collection of yarn or need space for the hottest new crafting gadget.
1. Invest in a craft storage cart
These containers can hold everything from loose ribbons to fabric quarters.
I’ll admit my bias here: I’ve had this cart for the past four years and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Despite the metal frame being somewhat thin and the drawers being plastic, this holds a great deal of weight and hasn’t bent or buckled despite the loads of wood, paint, and other assorted supplies I’ve put in it.
The flat top is what drew me to this cart in the first place. Initially I’d use it as a supplement to my main work station, such as putting water and brushes on it while painting. Nowadays I have a cutting mat and Cricut there, and that’s been a real boon given that I don’t have anywhere else I could put those.
Also pro tip for this one: Leave one of the large drawers empty so you can store projects in there in between working sessions.
Get the Honey-Can-Do Rolling Storage Cart and Organizer from Amazon for $52.01
2. Use smaller drawers for smaller materials
These stackable containers are perfect for just about any small crafting supplies you need to wrangle.
If you work small, like say you’re big into beads, or don’t have a lot of space, a large craft cart might not be for you. The Container Store has you covered with its Stackable Craft Organizer Drawers because the whole set is less than 15 inches long and only 6 inches deep, making it a good desktop companion.
There’s a choice between a 20-drawer model or a 10-drawer model, so if you have smaller parts go with the former, but if you have bigger things then go with the latter. Some of the reviews indicate that the drawers are tight, so you may want to measure and be sure this will meet your needs before committing to it.
Get the Stackable Craft Organizer Drawers from The Container Store for $17.99
3. Sew on the go with a portable case
This bag is perfect for quilters.
Storing bigger tools is a challenge for every crafter. Like I said, I use the top of my craft cart for my Cricut because I don’t have anywhere else to put it. A sewing machine is in that same vein, which is part of the appeal of the Everything Mary 4-wheel Rolling Sewing Case. If a sewing machine can be packed away in there, then it doesn’t have to take up precious table space anywhere else.
The reviews are positive for this case, and all the various compartments seem well suited for a fabric artist. But anyone who doesn’t sew might not get the most out of this bag. On top of that, the actual design is a little tacky so it probably doesn’t meet everyone’s tastes.
Get the Everything Mary 4-wheel Rolling Sewing Case from Joann Fabrics for $49.99
4. Use a versatile cart if you have multiple hobbies
This piece of furniture comes with specialized compartments with areas for specific supplies.
Being able to move craft supplies around is a big plus for any storage option, same with ease of accessibility for all your tools. The Mobile Craft Storage Center By Ashland meets both those criteria, especially with its open top so you can grab whatever you need quickly.
The downside of that open top is that the individual compartments are on the shallow side, according to most of the reviews. The other main drawback is that there isn’t a built-in organization system, so you’d either have to bring in other drawers or containers to keep things neat or likely have a mess on your hands.
Get the Mobile Craft Storage Center By Ashland from Michael’s for $59.99
5. Invest in storage that can double as furniture
This craft storage doubles as a workstation.
I’m on the record as saying that you’re selling Home Depot short if you think it’s only for hardware and appliances, which is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that it has some great storage options for crafting. But if you’re looking for more than just a place to keep all your tools and materials, South Shore’s Craft Table with Storage might be the key.
This has modular shelves and compartments, so you can configure the space for your storage needs. For instance, shelves can be set further apart if you have a lot of tall paint bottles. Plus, if you can find a matching stool, you can use it as a full workstation.
6. Pick pieces that provide extra surface area
Need more space? This piece comes with wings.
The Home Depot table is great for anyone who has ample space, which isn’t everybody. Crafters who are low on room might need something that has a smaller footprint. Wildon Home’s Fold Out Craft Table is essentially a drop-leaf table with a set of drawers, providing both bits of functionality without taking up a lot of room.
The catch is that the workspace is limited and there’s not a ton of actual storage. Additionally, this has a 4-star average rating from users, but many reviewers point out that assembly is difficult and the construction leaves a bit to be desired. But if you have a small place and need a multifunctional craft space, this could be worth your consideration.
Get the Wild Home Fold Out Craft Table from Wayfair for $133.99
7. Utilize wall space where you can
Mount your crafts on the wall instead of storing them in drawers.
We’ve talked a lot about storage contraptions that assume you have space on the floor to put them, but what if you don’t? Well, what if you put all crafts up on your wall?
A wall-mounted storage rack allows for supplies and materials to hang over your workstation so you don’t have to find space for a large cabinet or cart. On the plus side, this means you could easily reach up to see what tools you have and grab whatever you need for any project. On the down side, you might have trouble actuallying getting things if you’re not tall enough.
Get the Harper Blvd Burnet Espresso Wall Mount Craft Storage Rack from Overstock for $83.76
8. Get a cart with wheels that you can store wherever you can
Add a pop of color to your home with this teal metal cart.
There’s no reason that your organizer can’t be as aesthetically pleasing as all of your wonderful works of art. The Gramercy Cart fuses fashionability and functionality with its teal finish and ample storage space, including a series of hooks on one side.
This cart has an average rating of 4.7 stars after 47 reviews, with many people pointing out all the different ways it can hold various materials. The main limitation here is that each tray has a carrying capacity of 20 lbs., so be careful not to overload any single level.
Get the Gramercy Cart by Recollections, Teal from Amazon for $79.99
9. Opt for containers instead of big pieces
Let your crafts shine with these transparent containers.
A good set of bins is a flexible way to organize all your crafts regardless of what your main storage component is. Whether you have a cart, some shelves, or a wall-mounted rack, bins literally allow you to compartmentalize all your materials and tools to create some order out of all the chaos.
The Container Store created its Starter Kits to, well, get you started with organizing all of your crafts. This set comes with 20 different bins so you shouldn’t have any problem figuring out a way to create a good system for yourself.
Get the The Home Edit Toy & Craft Storage Solution from The Container Store for $346.80
10. Label your storage with reusable stickers
Chalkboard labels are perfect for keeping your crafts organized.
The first nine recommendations for this list were ways to store your crafts, but you have to think beyond storage to truly organize everything. Labelling is one of the steps to truly reach the next level.
Chalkboard labels and markers are a great way to get there. The labels allow you to list what’s inside every bin or draw, and chalk markers write cleanly while allowing for fun designs on their own. In that way, organizing your crafts can become a craft in and of itself.
Get the Chalkboard Labels Stickers from Amazon for $10.97
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