Strategies for Arranging Art Materials Efficiently
Yo, I'm Becca, the stationery addict par excellence! Admit it, we all have our vices - mine happens to be art supplies and creative tools. And my addiction has only grown in the last five years since my art business took off.
Can't get enough of my art studio and organization tips? Well, you're in luck! Here are some tricks I've picked up along the way.
Supplies Mentioned
- DreamBox by Create Room - Get your hands on one with this nifty code: HAPPYEVERCRAFTER for some savings in the US or Canada! (Check out my free supplies guide here for even more recommendations.)
If you prefer watching over reading, no worries! Click the video below to see my entire studio up close.
Time to Organize!
I've got a DreamBox, and let me tell you, it's a bloody workhorse for organization.
(I won't go into every single supply in this post, but if you're interested in a more intimate look at my favorite art supplies for beginners, check out this link.)
My studio is a veritable playground of art supply storage - DreamBox and all! I've also got my computer station, a large open desk for filming YouTube tutorials, my filming equipment, a printing station, and more. And 99% of the time, my DreamBox is like the shining jewel in the center of it all.
I've had my DreamBox for a year and a half, and boy oh boy, has it been a lifesaver. The DreamBox comes with all sorts of compartments and bins, making organization a breeze. It's an investment, sure, but if you ask me, it's 100% worth it. Plus, the fact that it folds up and can be stored away in the future if needed? Total bonus points.
Before the DreamBox, my art room was a mess. I had stacks of supplies on those blasted IKEA shelves (VITTSJO). They weren't organized because they were crammed full of stuff. This was pre-DreamBox, and I yearned for a functional yet aesthetically pleasing way to display my supplies that wouldn't break the bank (this was a side gig at the time). Those IKEA shelves are a gem, by the way. Inexpensive, different sizes and shapes, build your own configuration - what's not to love?
With the shelves as my only storage, I used bins and containers from IKEA and Michaels to hold all my supplies. Stacking all the bins got annoying, so I grabbed some drawer storage systems. Don't recommend 'em at all - weak and not great.
Finally, I landed the DreamBox - game changer! It comes with the perfect bins and drawers and pieces and everything, eliminating most of the stress. I still stress-gorged over the best way to organize my art supplies within the DreamBox, but you know what they say - when in doubt, dive in! Most of the bins are a standard size, so moving them around is a breeze. The DreamBox even comes with a diagram suggesting layouts, which was a huge help in getting started.
Tips to Organize Your DreamBox
Tip #1: Group items by category
Whether you've got a DreamBox or not, organizing art supplies by category is a game-changer. In my DreamBox, I've got lettering stuff on the left (brush pens, paints, pens, pointed pens, markers, etc.) and painting stuff on the right (watercolors, acrylic paint, gouache, etc.). Right smack dab in the middle, I've got all my paper storage. This system allows me to find what I need in a jiffy.
Tip #2: Group items by type, not color
I know grouping things by color can look super pleasing, but organizing art supplies that way is incredibly frustrating in practice. Imagine needing your entire set of acrylic paints for a project. Instead of grabbing one drawer, you'd have to dig through 12 different drawers, one paint at a time. Doorstep-worthy frustration, right? Stick to grouping things by type - POSCA paint pens here, Molotow pens there, Micron pens elsewhere.
Tip #3: When in doubt, rainbow it out
If you're unsure about how to organize a particular section, go with the flow and make it rainbow! Within each category, arrange your items by color. It's a visual feast and makes finding things a cinch. Plus, I even organize my books this way!
Tip #4: Leave room for overflow
Always make room for the junk drawers! There's always going to be that one supply or tool that doesn't quite fit in neatly. Find inconspicuous spots for these drawers or use opaque bins to hide the mess.
And that's a wrap!
The DreamBox is a significant investment, but it's been a extra-special game changer for me. Being able to see everything and easily pop things back in their spots is a total dream. No more supplies littering my desk - I used to have a big problem with that, but not anymore. Long story short, whether you've got a DreamBox or not, my number one tip is to make sure your supplies are visible and accessible!
Want More Art Studio Tips?
Check out this post for more organizing tips and tricks.
Interested in snagging a DreamBox by Create Room? Use code: HAPPYEVERCRAFTER for some savings in the US or Canada!
Looking for everything DreamBox-related? Check out this post.
See you over there!
Dad Joke
Where do cows usually display their artwork? In mooooseums.
Explore creative lifestyles with art supplies like DreamBox by Create Room. Use the code 'HAPPYEVERCRAFTER' for savings.
Combine different art supplies, such as pens, brushes, and paints, in your DreamBox for efficient organization.
Artist Becca recommends sorting your art supplies by category within the DreamBox, such as separating paints and lettering tools.
Make a colorful arrangement within your DreamBox to find supplies easily, or leave space for 'junk drawers' for miscellaneous items.
Embrace the dream of organizing your art studio with the DreamBox and Happy Ever Crafter code.
