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How to Sort Crafting and Gift Wrapping Supplies
2011, HGTV
If you love to spend time on crafts or enjoy giving your family and friends creatively wrapped gifts, you’ve probably thought about creating a spot in your home for all the supplies required for both activities. Even if you only have a small corner or nook in your home office, you can plan an area that is user-friendly and organized.
"Crafting and wrapping lovers should definitely have a designated space for their various supplies," says Atlanta professional organizer Kristi Schneider of Truorder. "When supplies are scattered throughout the house, it may turn into a time-consuming supply hunt that causes you to quit before you get started out of frustration. If you have a designated spot, you are less likely to have a mess in the common living spaces in your home."
Schneider says how much space you have available is the most important consideration. She suggests a major clutter purge before you start the project.
"Get rid of anything you haven't used or worked on in the last two years," says Schneider. "Getting rid of clutter will make the organizing project a breeze."
Here are three of her other tips for creating an organized and efficient spot in your home forcrafting and wrapping gifts:
Take the time to measure. Measure the designated spot you have chosen before you shop for the accessories and furniture you will need. Schneider says even if you don't have a lot of space, you can set up a mini station in a corner of your home office or inside of a closet.
Consider all your options. Do some research before you spend your money. "Take a look on Pinterest or do a Google search for crafting and wrapping room ideas, supplies and organizers before you shop," suggests Schneider.
Sort all crafting and wrapping supplies and group like items into labeled bins, baskets, cabinets, shelves or a special crafting/wrapping organizing cart or system. Many retailers now carry these products, and Schneider likes the selections from Home Decorators Collection and The Container Store. You can also use items already in your home to hold and organize all your crafting or wrapping essentials.
"Take toilet paper rolls, stand them up in a shoebox and use them to hold colored pencils and other supplies," suggests Schneider. "You could also use a pants hanger with a removable rod to hold rolls of ribbon, or use a tackle box for organizing and storing small craft supplies or beads."
Avoid common mistakes. Fashioning a crafting or wrapping space that is too big, or designing an area with custom built-ins that can't be re-purposed or easily moved to another space, are two major mistakes to avoid. "If you want to sell your home eventually, you may want to buy something that can be moved with you," notes Schneider.
