The REAL Studio Tour- storage

Welcome to the Coop and Saucer.  This will be sip and say kinda post so I hope you have time for a cuppa!

First I must tell you that I don't want to 'store' things.  I want to find things.  Quickly.  Easily.  And then  Return them just as easily.  I must say that in order for 'finding'  to actually work it needs to support the worker and the workspace so it is very unlikely that one storage system fits all! ;)  Nor does it remain the same.  As we understand how we work and what our latest hobby/interest is the layout needs tweaking.   Macrame does not have a top priority space, in fact its been purged!   lol

Two different concepts influence my storage needs.

I favour form over function.  That just means I like pretty more than workable.  But I have learned a few things about myself over time and I am now willing to sacrifice pleasing design to making the process of making things relatively easier.   I adore those perfect studios. But I am part of the Real Studio Tour because a real studio must function first and foremost and that will be different for each one who lives and works in the form. :O  Valuing form over function may produce a pleasant workspace but it has not moved my creativity forward.  I am now compromising nice for 'get er done'.  lol

Secondly I have discovered that there are filers and there are pilers.  I luv visiting those office stores that have files and storage to accommodate.  Colour coordinating supplies is just wonderful icing on the cake.  oops!  I have been sew busy getting ready for the tour that cake slipped my mind.  ;)  Sorry, my creativity doesn't include food.  My Rooster is in charge of pantry and kitchen layout. 

But much as I luv the whole idea of filing, I had to give away the filing cabinets.  It made perfect sense when I filed something but I could never, ever find it once the file swallowed it up.  In fact I couldn't find the tops of the cabinets.  And then the real truth is...

I'm a piler!

So my solution to my storage problem is to eliminate any flat surface that could possibly contain piles. No small problem!  LOL  Especially if it can be concealed behind a closed door.  yikes

The best storage for me has been plastic bins. I can pile stuff into them. I can sorta see whats in them and a card label confirms it. ;)  Then I can stuff everything back in and slide it back into its designated spot.  That's the ideal anyway.  I shopped sales for the rolling storage and got most of the shoe box size on sale as well. Because they are all the same size they are interchangeable. 

Plastic storage units on wheels have been excellent and I really like the shallow drawers so things don't get buried.  They also do double duty as supports for my counter. 

They can be reconfigured to fit under my cutting table.  All my fibre and sewing stuff is on this side of my room.

I have fabrics for projects stashed in the shoe boxes.  I have colours grouped (piled) on shelves and backs  have their own shelf.  I have set boundaries. This much and no more.  It has taken a few years of giving fabric away and curtailing my buying but I can now sleep nights. ;)  My white curtains hide the visual chaos and provides me with a design wall.

I had thought the peg board would work well but I cannot create in chaos. This is evolving and I already added the magnetic bar for my scissors. :)  Too much visual stimulation stalls me. Now next week you will see that in the midst of creating there is a lot of visual chaos and that is part of the process.  But I do have to clean up and start with a relatively clean area whenever I start something.

This has taken time to set up as I begin to understand how I like to work and with what materials.  I am learning to group things together.

Left is all my dry scrap booking stuff.  In the centre is my wet mixed media stuff.  I so wanted to put all my little bottles in cute white boxes but then I admitted defeat and just grab  bottles and when there are more on the counter than up on the shelf  I put them all back and start again!  Having them at eye level is perfect! I always seem to work in the same two square feet so I just tried to make the rest somewhat organized.  The right spot had the old cutter and is now a desk and repository for my inevitable piles. At least it is in the farthest corner.   But at one time that whole counter would have been piled high. 

So my storage strategies advice is don't expect a quick fix but take the time to try things and determine what works best for you. 

My introductory photo is now the cutter station and is in great jeopardy for piles.  I'm hoping the runner covering it will deter my piling desires.   I also stashed my closet door behind the cupboard inside.  (I do hope to reclaim this as a bedroom if we ever get a utility room/studio accomplished!) It sure opens up my space and because the cupboard isn't so deeply into the closet there is less floor space for piles!  yippee!

But I think I will first take advantage of the cleared and tweaked floor space to see if I can wash it up and get some of the paint and glue off the floor.   Next week's tour will reveal how successful my finding and returning works!  ;) ;)

The Real Studio Tour

For more great storage ideas join the tour.  Its the Real Deal!