Having your kids’ creative spaces organized and functioning efficiently is key to providing a creative atmosphere in your home. When art supplies are left in a disorganized mess, it can quickly become frustrating for your kids and costly for you as supplies get lost, broken, or misplaced.
Taking the time to organize and assess what supplies are needed will help ensure the creative process is fun and not a source of frustration or an expense. This article will provide tips for organizing and maintaining a creative space for your children, along with some creative ideas for organizing kids’ art supplies at home.
Assess Art Supplies
To start the organizing process, take a few minutes to go through your kids’ art supplies to make sure they have what they need. Try to look at their supplies with a “fresh eye” and, if necessary, replace supplies that are worn, broken, or missing any pieces.
Take inventory of items you already have and make a list of items you need to purchase. This will streamline your shopping process, as well as save you the hassle and expense of purchasing items you already have. In addition to purchasing items or replacing broken supplies, consider any safety or storage needs.
For example, it’s important to have adequate storage for items that contain small pieces, such as beads, jewelry supplies, and clay. Securely store any items with pieces or parts that can become choking hazards for young children. Store items that could potentially cause a mess, such as glue or paint, in an area with easy cleanup, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or plastic tray.
Find Space to Store and Create
Finding a suitable space for your kids’ art supplies can be tricky if you have limited space. In an ideal situation, an entire room could be dedicated to your kids’ art space, but this is not always possible. However, a small corner of a room or empty area of your home can be converted into a creative area with a few simple supplies and organizers.
Consider utilizing a wall to hang long strips of paper or a closet for storage. When designing your creative space, focus on making it welcoming and detailed to your child’s interests to ensure they enjoy the space.
Allow your child to be as creative as possible in designing their space. Have them choose colors, prints, or designs that make them feel inspired.
Develop an Organization System
After finding a space, it is important to create an organization system. Come up with a way to store items neatly so that they are easy to find and use.
Try to be strategic when determining how to store items in your kids’ art space. Depending on the size of the area you have available and the type of supplies you have, you can use bins, drawers, shelves, or wall mounted organizers to keep items neat and organized. If possible, make sure items are in clear containers or bins so you can quickly identify what items are included in each one without having to rummage through them.
If you have lots of items that can easily be stored in rectangular containers, look for a storage cube system that can be customized for your specific storage needs. If you are unsure where to start, consider looking online for creative organization ideas.
Think Creatively When Storing Supplies
To get the most out of your storage space, think of creative ways to store supplies. Utilizing standard containers for storing items will usually do the trick, but there are a few inventive ideas that might help save space and make your space more organized.
Try putting items in wine boxes, hanging supplies on a jewelry rack, or using a couple of old picture frames to store larger items like paint bottles and brushes. Another way to stay organized while also adding some fun to the room is to paint or decoupage items to coordinate them and match your overall décor. For example, you can use a small box or basket to store crayons or markers, then paint it a coordinating color or cover it with contact paper to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
This can also be done with other items, such as bins, baskets, and storage cubes.
Label Containers for Easier Access
It can be helpful to label containers or boxes so your child knows where to find items without you having to explain it every time. For example, if you have a bin of crafts supplies, label it with a picture or word that will explain what the bin contains.
This way, you won’t have to explain to your child each time they need a certain item. Using labels can also help with organization. If you have items that contain multiple pieces, consider labeling each bin or container with a list of the items and their pieces.
This way, your child will know instantly if something is missing or misplaced without them having to go through every container.
Restrict Accessible Supplies
One of the most important things to consider when organizing your kids’ art supplies is to limit the items that are accessible. Not only do you want to restrict the number of open doors and drawers that contain items, but you also want to limit the amount of items that can be accessed at any given time.
Have your child work from a set of selected supplies at any given time. This can help keep the work area neat and clean while ensuring they don’t become overwhelmed with too many supplies.
Rotate Supplies
Rotating available supplies is another way to keep the space orderly and organized. Every few months, replace the current supplies with different supplies. This will provide your child with a chance to be creative with a new set of tools and items, while also keeping the supplies organized.
Talk to your child about their current projects and take note of what supplies they need before sorting through what is stored in their room.
Consider Storage Alternatives
If you are unable to store items in a dedicated room or closet for your kids’ art supplies, consider using other storage solutions around your home. You can use a plastic bin, old file cabinet, or dresser to store items if you don’t have space to dedicate an entire room or closet.
You can also store larger items, such as paints and brushes, in their own areas. For example, store paints in a kitchen drawer or on a shelf in a bathroom.
Encourage Creative Thinking
Organizing and storing supplies is essential for a functional and bright space for your kids. Once the space is organized, it’s important to encourage your kids to be creative when thinking of ways to use art supplies.
Show them how they can utilize common items in their art space. For instance, if they need to store markers, use an old shoe box or a file folder that is taped to the wall. Encouraging creative thought and finding new ways to use items will help keep your kids excited about their art space.
Cleaning and Updating
Giving a periodic cleaning to your kids’ art space is an important step in ensuring the area always looks neat and organized. Spend a few minutes every few weeks picking up loose items, wiping down surfaces, and putting any supplies back in their proper place. This will help establish good habits of cleaning and organizing in your kids.
To keep supplies organized and in good condition, consider periodically replacing items. Items such as paints, markers, and clay can become dried out and unusable after a while.
Updating and replacing items can help keep your kids’ space bright and inspiring. ConclusionOrganizing your kids’ art supplies can be beneficial in more ways than one.
Not only does it help create a creative, inspiring space for your kids, but it can also help them learn about organization and help them keep their workspace neat and tidy. Using the tips and ideas in this article, you can create an organized and functional art space in your home. With these ideas, your kids’ creative spaces can remain organized and clutter-free for years to come.