How to Organize Art Supplies in a Small Space

Ikea Raskog Cart

It’s a Christmas-in-July miracle! I organized my art supplies! I’ve been art journaling in “small” spaces for years. From the floor of my high school bedroom to a desk with one drawer in my first dorm room to a few bins under my bed in our apartment. One day  I will have an awesome, wonderfully organized office/studio, but that’s still years away. After hundreds of scrapbook layouts and art journals, I’ve realized two things about organizing art supplies in a small area — everything needs a home and the main items needs to be easy-access. Because if you need to grab a stapler real quick, you want it to be right there, not under a pile of paper scraps you dumped on it after your last project.  I was doing okay with the everything-needs-a-home bit and I’ve had an okay-system going, but it’s been in distress for awhile and I could never keep it clean. So I bought that super popular Ikea Raskog cart and decided it was finally time to get my life together. So far I really, really like it and it makes me want to make all the things.

My art journals have been living in that corner in our room since we moved in 6 months ago (and they had been living under my desk in our last place 6 months before that, oops), so I knew I needed them off the floor, but still in a place where I could admire them. Having them on top makes me want to create a million more art journals. The rest of my 8.5×11” scrapbooks are in our living room.

Ikea Raskog Cart

Ikea Raskog Cart

For the bottom two levels, I decided to organize my tools for easy access. I bought some cheap, mesh cup holder things at Ikea too. I wanted my tools to be easy access and organized by type, so that I had no choice to put it back where it belongs. Plus if I’m painting in another room, I can easily push the cart to the living room to work from while I ~create~.

Ikea Raskog Cart

Ikea Raskog Cart

Ikea Raskog Cart

Ikea Raskog Cart

The rest of my supplies, like my paints and papers and all the weird stuff I’ve accumulated over the years live in (mostly) organized low plastic bins under my bed. Like I said, mostly organized.

Ikea Raskog Cart

Ikea Raskog Cart

Watercolor Paint

Somethings are still in half-way organized stacks, but this will do for the meantime.

Ikea Raskog Cart

And for good measure here is a photo of Pip giving bitch-face (I raised her well), while she sits in or on whatever I am currently photographing. Thanks, cat-child.

Ikea Raskog Cart

{ 30 comments… add one }

            • melissa@thehungryartist August 20, 2013, 1:18 pm

              I love your little art trolley! I need to organize my space better. Very inspirational. I love your cat too!

              Reply
            • amanda rose July 9, 2013, 10:48 am

              What a wonderful little space. I went from the high school bedroom to dorm room and am now in my first apartment. It is a struggle! I might do a post like this, too. Thanks for the inspiration!

              Reply
            • katie July 8, 2013, 3:54 am

              ooo very inspiring organization. also i love the little hammer!!! did you buy it that way, or is paint splattered from art projects??

              Reply
            • Rachel July 7, 2013, 3:49 am

              Ohhh this post fills me with designer geek organisation joy!!! xxx

              Reply
            • Sara Cristina de Sousa Martins July 7, 2013, 2:24 am

              i want to buy that Raskog cart since it was first put to sale but it is always sold out :/

              You had a brilliant idea here :)

              Reply
            • Kara July 7, 2013, 6:37 pm

              Aw bummer! If you check Ikea’s website, it will let you know if it’s in stock at your local store!

              Reply
            • Sabrina July 6, 2013, 6:25 pm

              Very inspirational! I need to organize mine too. (And soon, too!)

              Reply
            • kait July 5, 2013, 10:11 pm

              Such a great idea! I need ideas like this (hashtag apartment living). The cat at the end of the photos…dying from laughter! :)

              Reply
            • Kara July 7, 2013, 6:38 pm

              Hahah. Pretty funny right? She always sits on whatever I’m photographing on the floor and seemed so irritated that I was photographing it. Ha!

              Reply
            • Ashlee July 5, 2013, 6:18 pm

              Love this idea for storage! My art supplies is always finding homes in random places. I’m actually pretty sure all my paint is residing in shoe boxes! Thanks for the organization inspiration. Hopefully I can find a system of organization before moving into the sorority house next month. Ah.

              Reply
            • Kara July 7, 2013, 6:38 pm

              Congrats on the sorority! Organization totally helps inspiration! Hope you find a system that works for you. xo.

              Reply
            • Leah Faye July 5, 2013, 4:35 pm

              That cart is an amazing way to organize your art supplies! I’ve always wanted it from ikea for my kitchen…but now I think I have other plans for it! My art supplies currently are just shoved in different corners of my tiny apartment. It would be so nice to keep them all together in one cute space.
              Leah Faye

              Reply
            • tiffany July 5, 2013, 12:36 pm

              OMG! i’ve been looking for a way to get all of my art and craft supplies organized for ages and i haven’t found the solution yet. but this might work! i have all of my art supplies and sketchbooks in this big canvas bin in my closet but it’s such a pain rummaging through it when i need something. this looks absolutely perfect! thanks for sharing.

              Reply
            • Taylor July 5, 2013, 11:39 am

              Love the organization. I could use some work with my supplies, as well.

              Reply
            • Maggie July 5, 2013, 11:26 am

              Nice! I love seeing how people store their things like art supplies & cosmetics – I’m always getting new ideas! That cart is adorable *and* functional – love it!

              Reply
            • petal and plume July 5, 2013, 11:14 am

              what a brilliant and perfect organizational unit!
              your blog is oh so lovely.
              xx

              Reply
            • Libby July 5, 2013, 11:08 am

              This is brilliant! I’ve got everything scattered around my room, and half-finished projects in various drawers, and it’s just generally a mess. When I couldn’t find an assignment for my art class the other day, I realised I should probably get a better system in place! I’m pretty jealous of yours (and also, of Pip. cutest kitten!)

              Reply
            • Jade Sheldon-Burnsed July 5, 2013, 11:06 am

              I love, love, love this Kara! We just moved into a new space where we have a closet that can fit most of my supplies but I would love to free up some of the shelf space. Might have to get one of these carts for myself…

              Reply
            • Kara July 7, 2013, 6:39 pm

              Do it! They also have a gray one online! Have fun decorating your new place! What part of town did you move to?

              Reply
            • Jade Sheldon-Burnsed July 8, 2013, 8:55 pm

              We are on 21st & Flanders in a charming old building! That means I am a 5 minute walk from Salt & Straw… which is awesome and dangerous…

              Reply
            • Alanna July 5, 2013, 10:11 am

              OMG What a simple idea but it works so well! Need to do this. I especially love the movable aspect! So great!

              Reply
            • Maham July 5, 2013, 9:46 am

              My GOD this is amazing!!!! I’m DYING to do this RIGHT NOW!!!! I just don’t have those many art supplies. Hey, can you check out my blog? I just started it, and i’m really serious about blogging. It would mean the WORLD to me! :)

              Reply
            • kelsie July 5, 2013, 9:30 am

              omg its genius! IM DOING THIS RIGHT NOW.

              Reply
            • kristi July 5, 2013, 9:19 am

              pip.

              Reply
            • Courtney July 5, 2013, 9:04 am

              Wow this is adorable!

              Reply
            • nova July 5, 2013, 8:58 am

              Until now I had no idea cats could have bitch face. Well, you learn something new every day.

              Reply
            • Kara July 7, 2013, 6:40 pm

              HA! She’s pretty impressive. :)

              Reply
            • Abby Barstow July 5, 2013, 8:52 am

              So cute! I’ve got all my sewing/crafting supplies on a huge cube shef thing but I’d rather have that cute cart! Thanks for the idea!

              Reply
            • katielicht July 5, 2013, 7:53 am

              this looks great! my little art closet is a disaster right now, tilting piles everywhere. plus I am totally doing that thing where I just throw EVERYTHING in a drawer so all my pencils and scissors are tangled with thread and ribbons and bits of paper. and you’re right, when stuff is organized I’m way more likely to actually want to make something new.

              Reply
            • Ffion July 5, 2013, 7:24 am

              You do know that you’ve made me want to come and break into your house and leaf through all those gorgeous art journals, don’t you?

              Congratulations on getting organised, I just throw all my stuff in a chest of draws which keeps it out of sight most of the time, but is a bitch to sift through when I’m looking for something I haven’t used in a while! I’m jealous now ;)

              Reply

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