Many people developed a new hobby during the global pandemic, with stay-at-home orders and other restrictions that came into effect due to it.
If you have found yourself picking up a love of crafting in the last few years, you might have been making do with completing tasks at the dining room table or in your bedroom or other spaces where you’ve carved out a little space.
However, as anyone crafty knows, this passion can take up a lot of room, especially as you get more into it. As such, it may be time to set yourself up with a dedicated room for crafting at home. Here’s what to consider as you work on the project.
Divide the Room into Various Zones
Start by setting up some zones in your craft room designated for various tasks you complete there. For instance, you might want one part of the space for your computer work and other digital goods and another for planning, idea generation, drawing, and the like. Many people also like a separate spot for more messy activities, such as pottery, painting, etc.
In your craft room, you may want to have a dummy and a space for cutting fabrics, and you may even want a gift-wrapping station, a chair or sofa for comfortable reading time, and more.
Put in a Sink
It’s often worthwhile investing in installing a sink in a craft room, too. You may not immediately think of needing this, but it can be handy to have right there for many different tasks. For instance, you can clean brushes and other tools ASAP, wipe down surfaces easily, and use water for pottery, collaging, and more.
Chat with a plumber about the costs and difficulty of getting a sink put in the corner of your craft room. You may find it’s much more affordable than expected, especially if you choose a space that’s already close to plumbing facilities, such as those used in the kitchen or bathroom(s).
Consider Lighting
Lighting is critical in a craft room as you need to be able to see what you’re doing, no matter the time of day or night. You don’t want to ruin your eyesight by squinting at details because you don’t have enough illumination or keep messing up a piece for the same reason.
Try to choose a space for your crafting with good natural light, thanks to large windows or a skylight. In addition, it’s worth adding halogen task lighting, especially for night-time work. This kind of lighting is helpful because it mimics natural light and is softer on the eyes. You’ll also want a mix of overhead lighting and some directed illumination. A floor or table lamp can do the trick for many needs.
Add Heating and Cooling Elements
If you’re planning on spending many hours each week in your craft room, whether working on hobbies, or items you sell for a profit, you will want to stay comfortable. This means you need a temperate zone to work in, with heating or cooling as required according to the time of the year.
It’s worthwhile installing one or more quality fans, such as an elegant chandelier ceiling fan or a compact, low-profile product for a smaller room. In addition, you may want to bring in some oscillating floor-standing or desk fans to help move the hot air around in the warmer months of the year.
If you live in a very hot part of the country, you may also want to install an air-conditioning unit. A reverse-cycle option that will also heat the space in winter will be handy. Plus, you may wish to buy a gas, oil, radiant, or electric space heater or use a gas fireplace or a wood-burning one if needed.
Ensure You Have Enough Storage
Storage is, of course, a must, too. Crafters know that they end up compiling a wide variety of supplies and half-completed projects over the years, which need somewhere to go. You want to keep things out of sight where possible, so your craft room doesn’t look too cluttered and stress you out.
Install in the space things like built-in closets, under-window bookcases, shelving, and the like to keep your materials organized. Add cupboards, drawers, bins, plastic tubs, etc., to further store and sort your items.
Other top tips for developing a purpose-built craft room are to purchase a decent-sized desk so you can easily spread out all the materials you’re working on at once, and take advantage of vertical space on the walls to better utilize the area.
If a beautiful craft room has been on your agenda for a long time, 2023 may be the year to turn it into a reality. The above tips will help you create a calming and productive zone you can enjoy for years to come.
