10 Art Supplies Storage Hacks for Creativity

Published on 18 July 2023 9 min read

As an artist, there's nothing quite like the feeling of having a well-organized workspace. A clean, orderly space can do wonders for your creativity, and this is where our mission to curate your creative space begins. We will explore some practical and transformative storage hacks for art supplies and materials. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap on how to revolutionize your workspace.

1. Use Vertical Space

One of the first steps towards curating your creative space is learning how to utilize vertical space effectively. Think about it: walls have a lot of unused potential. They're like blank canvases waiting for you to bring them to life—literally!

Here's how you can start:

Install Floating Shelves: Floating shelves are a great way to store your art materials while adding a touch of elegance to your workspace. You can display your paint bottles, brushes, or sketchbooks on these shelves. Not only does it make your room look neat, but it also keeps your supplies within easy reach.
Use Wall-Mounted Organizers: Wall-mounted organizers like pegboards or magnetic boards can work wonders for small items like scissors, tapes, and markers. You can customize these boards to fit your needs, making your workspace feel truly personalized.
Hang Canvas Storage Bins: For larger items, canvas storage bins can be hung on walls. They're sturdy and can hold a lot of weight, perfect for bulky items like easels or large sketchbooks.

Remember, using vertical space is all about keeping your most-used items accessible. It's like having your own personalized art supply store— everything neatly displayed and within arm's reach. The key is to curate your creative space in a way that works for you. So, let's get those art supplies off the floor and onto the walls!

2. Repurpose Shoe Organizer

Who said shoe organizers are only for shoes? Let's think out of the box—or in this case, the shoe rack—and repurpose it for our art materials. Now, isn't that a fun way to curate your creative space?

A hanging shoe organizer is a perfect tool for storing a variety of art supplies. Here's how you can use it:

For Paint Tubes: You can easily fit your paint tubes into the shoe compartments. This helps you to see all your color options at a glance, making it much easier to pick the right shade for your masterpieces.
For Brushes and Markers: Store your brushes and markers upside down in the shoe compartments. This not only keeps them in good condition but also allows you to quickly grab the right tool when inspiration strikes.
For Miscellaneous Items: Beads, buttons, glue sticks, and other small items can be easily lost or forgotten if not stored properly. A shoe organizer helps to keep these items visible and accessible.

Next time you look at a shoe organizer, see it not just as a storage solution for footwear, but as a nifty organization hack for your art supplies. It's cost-effective, space-saving, and a fun way to curate your creative space. So, why not give it a shot?

3. Roll-In Cart Storage

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a creative rut because you can't find that one particular art supply you need? Enter: the roll-in cart storage solution. A mobile sanctuary for your art materials that brings convenience right to your fingertips.

Roll-in carts are easy to move around your creative space, meaning you can bring your materials right to where you need them. Plus, they're available in various sizes and designs, so you can choose one that fits your creative space and storage needs perfectly. Here's how you can use a roll-in cart:

For Papers and Sketchbooks: The wide shelves of a roll-in cart are perfect for storing sketchbooks and sheets of paper. You can even categorize them by size or type for easy access.
For Paints and Brushes: Use smaller containers or bins on the cart to hold your paints, brushes, and other tools. This way, everything stays neat and tidy, and you can easily see what you have.
For Completed Artworks: The lower shelves can be used to store your completed artworks, keeping them safe and out of the way until they're ready to be displayed.

With a roll-in cart, you're not just organizing your art supplies—you're curating your creative space to become an efficient and inspiring haven for your artistic endeavors. Your creativity deserves a space that's just as dynamic and adaptable as you are, wouldn't you say?

4. Mason Jars Hack

Mason jars: not just for grandma's homemade jams anymore. Who knew these humble glass containers could be the ultimate art supplies storage solution? Let's explore this idea.

Mason jars are clear, which makes it easy to see what's inside. Plus, they come in myriad sizes to accommodate various art supplies. Here's how you can use Mason jars in curating your creative space:

For Pens and Pencils: Stand your pens and pencils upright in a mason jar. You'll easily see all your options, and they'll be at your fingertips when inspiration strikes.
For Paints and Brushes: Use mason jars to hold your paint tubes and brushes. You can even sort them by color or type for a visually pleasing and practical storage solution.
For Beads and Sequins: Smaller mason jars are perfect for storing beads, sequins, and other small art supplies. No more losing these precious little details in the depths of a drawer.

With Mason Jars, you're not just storing your art supplies—you're creating a visually appealing organization and storage system that adds to the creativity of your space. And who knows, maybe seeing your supplies beautifully displayed will inspire your next masterpiece?

5. Pegboard Storage

Ever considered using a pegboard for managing your art supplies? If not, it's time you did. A pegboard, my friend, is an unassuming hero in the realm of organization and storage hacks for art supplies and materials.

A pegboard is a large, flat board with evenly spaced holes. It's typically used in workshops for hanging tools, but it's also a perfect solution for curating your creative space. Let's jump into how you can use a pegboard:

Hang It Up: First things first, you'll need to mount your pegboard on the wall. This is where you can get creative. Arrange your pegboard in a pattern that suits your style and space.
Hook and Hang: Once your pegboard is up, you can start hanging your art supplies. Use hooks to hang items like scissors, tape, and rulers. Baskets can be attached to hold supplies that don't hang well, like paint tubes or markers.
Shelving: You can also add shelves to your pegboard for items like sketchbooks or canvases. This offers a quick and easy way to access your materials when the creative juices start flowing.

With a pegboard, every item has its place. It's all about making your art materials easily accessible and visually appealing. This way, you're not just organizing—you're curating your creative space.

6. Upcycle Old Drawers

Let's talk about upcycling. In a world where we are more conscious of reusing and recycling, upcycling fits right in. Plus, when it comes to curating your creative space, upcycling can be a fun and unique way to store your art supplies.

Got some old drawers laying around? Great! You're halfway there. Old drawers, with a bit of creativity, can become stylish and practical storage solutions for your art supplies. Here's how:

Drawer Dividers: Add dividers to your drawers to create compartments. This way, you can categorize your art supplies. It's a simple solution, but can make a world of difference in keeping your materials organized.
Label Everything: The top tip for any organization and storage hack is to label everything. For old drawers, you can get creative with these. Use paints or stickers to add a pop of color and personality.
Stack Them Up: If you have more than one drawer, consider stacking them to create a unique storage unit. This not only saves space but also adds a touch of vintage charm to your creative space.

By upcycling old drawers, you can add a touch of personality to your creative space while keeping your art supplies organized. Remember, it's not just about storage, it's about curating a space that inspires you.

7. DIY Art Caddy

Ever heard of an art caddy? These handy little storage solutions are perfect for keeping your most-used art supplies within arm's reach. The good news? You can make one yourself. Let's dive into how you can create your own DIY art caddy and make curating your creative space a breeze.

Choose Your Container: First things first, you need a container to house your supplies. This could be anything from a large coffee can to a small bucket or even a wooden box. Choose something that fits your style and your space.
Divide and Conquer: To keep everything organized within your caddy, consider adding dividers or small containers inside. This will help keep your pencils from mixing with your markers, and your brushes from tangling with your pens.
Make it Mobile: One of the best things about an art caddy is its mobility. Add a handle to the top of your container for easy transportation. This way, you can take your art supplies wherever your creativity takes you.

With a DIY art caddy, organizing your art supplies becomes a fun project in itself. It's all part of the process of curating your creative space: organization and storage hacks aren't just practical, they can be creative too!

8. Plastic Bins and Totes

Now let's turn our attention to plastic bins and totes. These are the unsung heroes of art supplies storage. They're versatile, affordable, and they come in all shapes and sizes—perfect for curating your creative space.

Choose Your Size: From tiny bins for beads and sequins to large totes for canvases and easels, there's a plastic container out there for every type of art supply. Choose a size that fits your needs and your space.
Stack 'Em Up: The beauty of plastic bins and totes is that they're stackable. This means you can make the most of your vertical space (remember our first hack?) without investing in expensive shelving units.
Label Everything: Once you've got your supplies tucked away in their new plastic homes, make sure you label each bin or tote. This will save you time searching for that specific shade of blue or the perfect size brush.

Remember, curating your creative space is not just about organization and storage—it's about creating an environment that encourages creativity. And sometimes, a well-labeled plastic bin is all it takes to spark inspiration.

9. Hanging Buckets

Now, let's explore a fun and innovative way to store your art supplies—hanging buckets. This storage hack not only keeps your materials neatly stored, but it also adds a pop of color and creativity to your artistic space.

Bucket Selection: Look for colorful, sturdy buckets. They come in many shapes and sizes, so pick ones that suit your needs. Maybe a small one for brushes, a medium for paints, and a larger one for papers? It's all up to you!
Hang 'Em High: By suspending these buckets on a rod or a wire, you're using vertical space effectively, freeing up your workspace for the real action. You can hang them above your desk or in any unused corner of your creative space.
Stay Organized: Just like with plastic bins, labeling your buckets can help you quickly find what you need. A quick glance up, and you know exactly where that elusive charcoal pencil is hiding!

So, ready to add a dash of creativity to the process of curating your creative space? Hanging buckets are an innovative organization and storage hack that might just make you smile every time you reach for a paintbrush.

10. Magazine Racks for Paper

Alright, let's tackle the last, but certainly not least, hack on our list—magazine racks for paper. You might be wondering, "Magazine rack? Isn't that for magazines?" Yes, and so much more! Let's break it down:

Selection: First off, you'll want to pick a magazine rack that suits your style and needs. They come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, so there's bound to be one that catches your eye. It might be a sleek metal rack for a modern feel, or a rustic wooden one for a cozy vibe—your choice!
Organization: Now, instead of magazines, picture your art papers neatly stacked in these racks. Watercolor paper, sketching sheets, card stock—you name it. Each type of paper gets its own slot, making it easy for you to grab and go.
Space Saving: By standing vertically, magazine racks take up minimal desktop space while providing ample storage. It's a win-win situation!

Using magazine racks for paper storage is a simple, yet ingenious way of curating your creative space. It helps keep your art materials organized while adding a touch of style to your workspace. So, are you ready to transform your artistic domain with these organization and storage hacks?

If you enjoyed our blog post on "10 Art Supplies Storage Hacks for Creativity," you'll definitely want to check out Arianne Jeri's workshop, "Get to Know Your Art Supplies." This workshop will not only help you understand your materials better but also provide you with tips and tricks on how to make the most of your art supplies. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your creative process!