Top 10 Big Ticket Items Every DIYer Should Own: day 7

A Craft Room

This could be totally free for some people. For others this could be a significant investment. Now I'm not talking about a desk in the corner of your living room. I'm talking about a room dedicated solely to sewing/painting/crafting/whatever. With a large table, maybe two, closet or drawers to keep needful things, etc.

Our house is considered a three bedroom with the third floor being one giant room and half bath. However, I never liked the idea of keeping one of the kids upstairs all alone....all night. It felt weird. So instead, we turned the sunroom into a nursery and had Lily and Molly share a bedroom downstairs. And used the upstairs for my sewing room.

Once Eloise gets older I'm thinking of making the top floor a room for ALL of them to share but that won't be for at least another year. In the meantime, it's designated as my craft room. And I can't imagine life without it. Now, granted I do more 'crafting' than most people but I think everyone who shares my hobby should have a space to themselves because having to drag all of your stuff out each time you want to sew something is very deterring. Also, having a small desk to do all your work is very frustrating. Trust me, I've been there. 

Source: http://www.scp.co.uk/collections/furniture/products/peggy

For my craft room I bought a few things. First two large 6' folding tables. They can be found at Walmart. But if you wanted to spend a little more for something that looks a little nicer I'd buy these from IKEA. You need something big enough to keep your sewing machine on and never have to take it off to utilize space. My two tables put together give me enough room to keep my sewing machine, serger, cutting mat and extra room for spreading out large yardages of fabric so I never have to bend over on the floor to cut (which KILLS my back). I also have at least two folding chairs, one per table. It's a pain to keep moving one chair all around a room.

Then I purchased a whole lot of these. And put them in my closet space. Now if I didn't have a closet I might want to purchase something that looked a little more pleasing to the eye, like these above.

My craft space also has entertainment....because sometimes....sewing can be a bit boring. I have our old tv upstairs on a stand. But if you're not into watching TV, having a stereo system works well too. I used to like to listen to audio books when I worked in an office. The unabridged kind are great.

Source: weheartit.com

Having a place to relax is also nice. We have a sofa for the kids. So when I'm working and they want to see me, they have somewhere to sit or watch something. But honestly, I like to be alone when I'm working.

But maybe the most important, your space should NOT feel cramped. Now, my upstairs room is fairly large as far as craft rooms go but more likely you're going to be using the room no one wants to use as a bedroom because of its size. If that's the case, then forgo the sofa, maybe even the second table. But absolutely keep one 6' table, entertainment and space to keep your materials. I'd call those craft room necessities.

Source: None via Cat

And of course, one more major but simple thing....a large garbage bin. Mine gets filled as soon as it is emptied. And if your garbage bin is small and getting filled fast, you're more likely to leave your junk on the floor or on the desk which causes you to not look forward to using the space, which causes you to work less. It's a fact! Messy spaces, messy minds. I know I've fallen victim to this. Here's a great bin at IKEA. Here's one at Walmart. Get something with AT LEAST 11 gallons, preferably 13 or higher.

Lastly, if you have the energy left after all that shopping, I'd splurge. Paint and decorate the walls of your new room. Then use that new space to make some window dressings;) I myself have never had the energy/time to do this and I've always lamented it. Burdastyle recently offered to feature my craft room in their new book and I had to decline because mine is so blah. I was majorly disappointed. But beside that missed opportunity, just sitting in a room that makes you feel good while you're working is a big deal. It will help your work and enjoyment of your craft.

Good luck!