Hacks and ideas to solve your craft room storage woes.
If there’s one thing I know about DIY, is that you need storage — storage for supplies, tools, leftover bits and bobs, paused projects (you know, the macrame tapestry from 2020?) and for future projects.
Luckily for us, IKEA is synonymous with storage. And with a bit of hacking, you can make it to store all your craft supplies.
Let’s take a look at some craft rooms and pick up their best organizing ideas.
The crafting table
#1 LACK cutting table
There are many ways to build a craft table. This one from Brooke is one of the easiest I’ve seen, made from 12 LACK side tables. The space beneath the LACK table tops provided space for storage, which she organized with baskets and bins.
On top, she laid a cutting board over the IKEA STOPP anti-slip underlay.
Lastly, she fastened picture ledges along the sides of the table to hold her rulers, pencils and tools.
#2 KALLAX craft table
Besides the LACK, the KALLAX 2×2 is a favourite in craft table hacks. And for good reasons. You can add wheels, shelf inserts, drawers, doors and storage baskets to customize to your heart’s content. You’ll need 3 units of the KALLAX 2×3 to recreate the beautiful craft table below.
Related: Smart sewing table with a sliding tray for sewing machine
#3 Kitchen island craft table
IKEA kitchen cabinets are great for craft rooms as well. I love how the IKEA Home Tour Squad transformed this back room into a craft space. The island, built from SEKTION cabinets, works as a cutting table. There are also kitchen cabinets towards the wall for a small pantry and hung up high for closed storage.
And the best thing about using the kitchen system is you can use all the accessories made for the kitchen to store your craft supplies. Like the small VARIERA boxes and KORKEN jars.
See the makeover in the video below.
#4 Extendable fabric cutting and patterning table
When it comes to cutting fabric and patterning, the larger the surface, the better. This sewing table is designed with a foldable side table and tool tray at the side. It’s also on caster wheels which lets you nest the fabric cutting table over the top of another shorter storage cabinet when not in use. Read more.
Craft room storage ideas
#1 KALLAX shelving unit + boxes
In Taylor Made Creates, Taylor uses the KALLAX 5×5 as her main storage unit.
To keep the palette serene, she inserts white DRÖNA storage bins into majority of the cubbies. On the right column, Taylor stores all her fabric samples, wound around comic book boards (brilliant!).
For larger swatches, Megan of The Homes I Have Made stores them in the DRÖNA boxes, with a pretty tag in front.
Credit: Taylor Made Creates 
Credit: The Homes I Have Made
#2 IVAR system + SAMLA boxes
The IVAR is awesome for craft room storage as the open shelving allows you to easily see what you have. Pair it with some SAMLA boxes to sort and organize. And magazine holders to keep files and patterns.
What’s more, if you don’t have lots of space you can use the IVAR fold up table module to create an all-in-one craft desk. Close it up and it looks like a regular closet.
Maximise the vertical space in your Craft Room
Another IKEA Home Tour Squad craft room makeover provided some great ideas there, especially the ones that make use of vertical space.
This idea in particular (from the 2:00 mark) caught my eye. The DIGNITET curtain wire is transformed into an acrylic paint organizer. The line holds up tubes of paint and turns them into a beautiful display. No more mess.
Below that the GRUNDTAL rail and caddies for brushes, pens, etc. (GRUNDTAL is discontinued. Replace it with the current KUNGSFORS system)
Obviously, the SKÅDIS is made with crafters in mind. Use the SKÅDIS hooks to hang up your range of brushes and tools and containers for smaller items.
And, in the photo below, is another great example of IKEA hacking itself. They wall hung the cheap GREJIG shoe rack to hold paper rolls. Making use of every inch in a small space is key.
Related: 5 ways to make the SKÅDIS pegboard even better
Introduce handy helpers
#1 Ironing board on wheels
If you sew, you’ll want your ironing board to be easily accessible. This RÅSKOG + JÄLL ironing board on wheels hack fits the bill. A rolling storage cart and ironing board in one. Win!
#2 Yarn station
The VARIERA plastic bag holder holds all sorts of yarn and ribbons. See it here. Also very good for paper rolls like gift wrap.
#3 Thread organizer
Get them sorted with a FINTORP basket. Tutorial here.
#4 Bead sorter
An IKEA magnetic notice board, wrapped in pretty fabric, is perfect for holding up the GRUNDTAL containers filled with beads, buttons, etc.
#5 Flat paper file
If you prefer to store your art paper and scrapbook paper flat, this hack is for you.
#6 Add seating with storage
A STOCKSUND bench for when you want to take a break from crafting. At the same time, use it to store your craft books and materials.
#7 Sort and store with a mobile craft desk organizer
If you need to store a variety of small craft tools like scissors, pens, markers, you’ll love this mobile craft desk organizer.
It’s made using the SKÅDIS pegboards fastened to a plant stand with caster wheels. Which means you get a pegboard walls on every side. In our books, it stands as one of the best IKEA SKÅDIS pegboard hack.
On the pegboard, use SKÅDIS hooks to hold up tools and storage containers for art supplies, sticks of hot glue and everything else. The best thing is you can push this nifty craft storage cart into a corner and still have easy access to your craft materials.
Hope these ideas gave you some inspiration to plan and organize your creative space. Tag us on Instagram @ikeahackersofficial if you use any of these craft room organization ideas.
Post updated with additional information on Jan 21, 2022.
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