One of my goals for 2014 is to get organized, I used to be a really organized person and I don’t know what happened. Actually I do, life has been happening and I was all over the place. For real my problem is I am a serial crafter and I have so many ideas in this head of mine that I frequently try and do everything I think of and go all out in doing so. Just like that super long run-on sentence, this is how busy my brain is. I used to make cards, that was my last big crafting addiction. When I organized my space it was to accommodate my card making hobby. I have tons of card stock, stickers, cut-outs, glitters, paints you name it. Most of these supplies are now stashed away in boxes in our garage. Well, then I moved on to shoes when I birthed From Mi To You in August of last year. Well you know that was a go big or go home type of deal too so now on top of the card stuff I’ve now added in shoe stuff.
What you don’t know is I don’t have a home office or crafting room. Before Pinterest, I had designed my crafting room via a pictures folder on my computer. It was nice too; I thought of everything even started picking out the furniture pieces and everything. Then we decided to have baby #2 so my cute home office crafting room became Nori’s nest. Don’t get me wrong, decorating her room was a fun craft project too; but that means no more home office.
For a while, we did actually think about setting up a home office in our garage. Our garage is quite large and so there is plenty of room for an arts and crafts area. Our car is only small too so we would easily be able to fit everything else in there. Of course, I would need to clear out some of the clutter that is currently hiding away in there, but apart from that our garage would be a great place for me to set up my arts and crafts things. Plus, we have recently had our garage door fixed to keep out the cold.
You see, our old garage door kept getting stuck so it could not close properly and this used to let in a draught. However, after speaking to one of our friends who lives in Maryland we decided to get to the bottom of the issue. Her garage used to get cold at night too, but after she decided to contact ADP Garage Doors in Owings Mills, MD. to get her garage door fixed she told me that her garage has never been warmer. She actually has an amazing arts and crafts set-up in her garage so I must remember to take a photo for you the next time I visit as I would love to create something similar in our garage.
Unfortunately for now, our garage is still only used to keep our clutter and our car. Because of this we have had to maximize our space and get creative. Babe had the perfect idea for me and my crafts and so we got to work. We decided to customize an Ikea wall unit we have in our living room that was sitting empty. Here is what the nicely organized wall unit has become.
I forgot to snap a picture before I started moving stuff around; here is a picture in the midst of some early movement.
All of these things were once inside this wall unit, in no particular order
Here is my new space fully cleaned and organized. YIPPIE!
My next project is my vision board; I will include that on the inside of the doors.
I have two pull out drawers now, I always had the one on the left for my Cricut.
Now the one on the right is my work space for my shoes. I love it! I’m working on a From Mi To You order and watching one of my favorite movies ever.
Now my Babe gets his desk back. My daughter had to get in the new set up and decided to help me design a pair of shoes. For those of you that know LittleCuteLips know that this was NOT optional.
It looks really nice when the lights are on.
This is what the wall unit looks like when you enter my home.
I felt like I didn’t have the space I needed to do what I thought I wanted. Turns out I had more than enough to set it up the way I want. Now I need to promise myself I will keep it this way.
My unit consists of:
2 short shelves 4 additional regular shelves
2 slide out drawers with a flat surface
1 pull out drawer with multiple sections
I have clear sorting boxes to hold my sorted embellishments.
The pink w/polka dot boxes I got from Michael’s years ago.
You can see the boy version of those same boxes on the far right.
I love my space, I’m going to add in light, my vision board, and I need a dope chair. I’ve seen some amazing office chairs on websites like www.bestgamingchair.com/herman-miller-mirra-2-chair-review so I can’t wait to go looking. I love shopping for furniture! It’s so exciting! There are so many furniture pieces that I could get for my space, that it would really make a huge difference! Sometimes just getting a simple potting plant can really help complete a room though. However, other times it might be better to get a rug from a company like Bazaarvelvet (you can check out their own version here). Obviously, you have to get what you like, so if you need to take a minute to think about what you really want then do it. There is so much that you actually need to consider when it comes to organising and designing your own space, that you’ll want to make sure that you don’t rush into making a decision about something.
I love your space! I finally got my office area cleaned up over the holidays, and got a larger whiteboard so I can post stickys and my vision board stuff, and I am so much happier when working now. I can’t wait to see what cool chair you pick out!
Sweet, I’m all about transforming your space to fit your needs. Its fun mixing in your own style, and I feel you. I’m much happier when working too. Great minds!
Nice job, MiMi! I’m in the process of thinking of my Mom cave which is the first level of my house. This wall unit may help with masking the office/school setting. I likes!
Thanks Nikki! Feel free to use an idea, no point in reinventing the wheel. I would love to decorate a full on Mom cave, I will have one in my next home.
I am in the process of doing just this now throughout my house. I’m taking it one room at a time. I am currently in the laundry room. I’ve made a list to take to Ikea to purchase some storage items.
We moved here a few months ago and I just really need to get rid of the clutter.
Mimi that is an even better idea, I too should go room to room and purge. lol We set up our laundry room with customized shelves to accomodate us better. The price was right and you can do it yourself. It has been one of our best ideas yet. By our I mean my Babe, he does the work and we share the credit. lol
Absolutely love it! I’m doing one room at a time during my million-dollar- feel-good weeks (first was my sanctuary – bedroom). Now if only the men in my home could keep everything pristine I would be very happy.
I love it, I need to makeover a few rooms in my home too. I’m going to try and knock them out by summer. lol @ the men messing it up again.