Compared to the nonexistent space I’d been working from for an entire year until just four months ago, my current studio is enormous. But for all that I do, this dining nook (yeah, we may or may not still have patio furniture acting as a dinner table in our entry way, what’s up) turned creative office space is quite the petite slice of heaven. I try my best to keep things minimal because I need to be able to turn it into a DIY photography studio at least once a week, which means keeping all my crafts to one shelf, books and notebooks to another, computer and office supplies on my desk (which happens to have wheels!), and tucking away all my photo props in the corner. The rest is pretty sparse but I know it needs to be the way in order for me to roll out the photo paper or make a mess for a craft project.
Until yesterday, I hadn’t cleaned up the clutter in many weeks. I wanted to share a DIY with you all today but honestly, my studio was just too much of a mess and another craft would’ve been too much. So, I gave all my craft supplies and office-y goodness a big overhaul. I took a few notes about what I did along the way to share with all of you running biz from a small space where one shelf basically has to act as all the storage. After scrolling through the photos, find my tips below!
FYI, I shot these photos with my Nikon 5300. You can find our photo equipment suggestions here.
Keep Materials Out
I sometimes need things to be right in front of me for me to remember how useful they are. I think that’s why so many of us never wear half the clothes in our closets! Take crafting for example. DIY is a very therapeutic hobby of mine, but when I have all my materials stored away, I go for weeks without taking them out. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget even the things we love to do, that we need to do. My pretty crafty materials inspire me to create, so I keep them out in the open. Unfortunately with cats, string (and I’ve most recently learned, pompoms–you should see them hidden all over corners of my apartment right now thanks to one sneaky kitty) and yarn can only be left out for so long before I’m asking for trouble. I try to put those things in clear containers because it’s a constant reminder to take time to create with the supplies that can be easy to forget.
Put Supplies Away
When you have a small space, you can’t leave everything out in the open. Not only does it look super cluttered, it doesn’t allow for any storage solutions, like boxes under your desk or craft drawers and carts. That’s why I keep the materials out, and put the supplies, like paint, hot glue guns, paper cutter, tape, etc., away. When I make something I have to use glue or paint, so I’m not in danger of forgetting it (which is why labeling boxes or having an organization system down is key). Plus, it’s less pretty than the colorful cardstock and jars of buttons, so it I want them to be tucked away.
Hidden Junk Drawers
I am not even going to pretend I don’t have a set of drawers reserved for miscellaneous crafty and office stuff. I actually recommend this because you can keep things simple and just have a catchall space for extras. There’s always going to be a few crafting materials or photo props that just don’t go anywhere else. I’m not going to create a whole new box for my random collection of 1-inch round mirrors, for example. A space reserved for miscellaneous is just practical if you have a handmade biz or you do lifestyle photography. The secret to keeping this beneficial and not as useless as that extra kitchen drawer pretty much everyone seems to have is that you aren’t throwing things in there that DO have a designated spot. Then it won’t get overstuffed or defeat the purpose.
Where do you work from? What kind of work do you do there?
Kerstin says
Oh that’s great. I love all things organized. Currently I am working on my parents balcony because I’m on vacation :D However at home I’m working on a super tiny desk in my bedroom – this will hopefully end soon when we buy a bigger one :D
Love, Kerstin
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