Tip of the Month

If money, space and time were no object, what kind of scrapbooking room/storage space would you have? Would you have a room? Would you design something special to hold your scrapbooking stuff? Would you have a special way to store certain supplies? Share your ideas, you might inspire someone.

kathy m from San Jose CA writes...
Ok, I posted this question, because I\'m designing a scrapbook closet for myself right now and I could use some ideas. My closet isn\'t really going to be a closet, we are doing built in cupboards, since its off of the familyroom/kitchen area. I\'m thinking that I\'m putting in a file drawer for 12x12 paper and a cupboard that is big enough for 12x12 trays. What else do I need? Thanks.

Phyllis in IL writes...
I would do a room with great light and book shelves all against one wall that could hold paper, stamps, punches as visible as possible. I would have a section for my computer to journal with. I would have a special shelved built for all my embellishments. Actually I do have a room just for scrapbooking and I converted the closet to row of shelves for my storage. It works out great.

GBS from Baton Rouge, LA writes...
Kathy, I would do something similar to you. I want my \"room\" to be with the family in the den. I would have Sid design (he has this background) a space for me. He know my sb stuff and what I use. So, he can design exactly what I need. I would love to do that!

amber from ivanhoe tx writes...
I would have a room with a lot of natural light and flouresent too! I would have a computer desk area, book shelves to hold complete albums, a slate wall on one side of the room to hold paper racks for my card stock,hooks for all my tools and punches,and also an island in the middle for my workspace, that way i can look at the wall to see what tools i want to use..then i would also have file system to store my pattern paper by theme and clear drawers for all my embellishments that are clearly marked so i do not have to dig for stuff. I would also like a small closet to store my bags and my photo files (that why my film, and ready to be cropped photos have a cool dark place to wait on me:)

Pam in PA writes...
My ultimate scrapbook room would have an entire build-in wall with shelves and then large doors that could be closed to hide the supplies when not in use. Of course, when open these doors would slide back into the wall. I\'m visualizing three big units with double doors on this wall. My shelves would be at least 12.5\" deep to store paper and some shelves would be 12.5\" tall to store albums upright. In one section, I would also include a drop-down desk/work space along with my computer, printer, scanner, etc. On the other side of the room, I would have a comfy sofa in there, a small refrigerator, and another table and chair for a scrapbook buddy or two or three.... Remember, that\'s if price is no issue -- my dream room. LOL!

Maria in Columbus writes...
What I would do is is have beautiful built in cabnetry with space for everything...(I guess that means I would either have to stop buying or start using, lol). I would have a place for vertical storage for paper, beautiful baskets to hold my tools and embellishments, etc. I would have it painted a beautiful soft yellow color with white crown moulding. I don\'t know why, but yellow inspires me. It\'s in my dining room and I work better in there than in my sage green office. All of my cabinets/shelves would be painted white as well. I\'m unlike many people and I want all my stuff hidden. I like the clean uncluttered look. There would be lots of pictures or favorite layouts on the wall as well as my cat collection intersperced (sp?) throughout the room. I would have a large desk with great lighting as well as a laptop computer, wide format printer and scanner and TV/DVD/Radio. Ok, I think that just about covers it. lol...now who\'s going to pay for it? lol...

Raquel in Mpls writes...
I\'ve been thinking about this because we too will be remodeling and I\'ve worked a hobby room into the design. My ideal room is off my bedroom, so I can have alone time. It will however, have plenty of windows, esp. so I can see the kids playing in the backyard. I want it close to the bathroom, but far from other rooms so I\'m not distracted (e.g. I might as well put a load of laundry in since I\'m so cloase, etc). My room would have a closet from my to store my CIS bags, etc. Also, a big table to spread out. I want overhead lights and task lighting. I also want a cozy nook where I can journal. I think I would have lots of drawers for my boxes of embellishments and a file cabinet for my paper. I\'ll probably put in a mini fridge for cold drinks, etc. I want it to be a place I can go to refresh myself, scrap sometimes, read sometimes, and nap sometimes.

mamichelle writes...
I guess I would have a separate scrap room near my kitchen (so I could scrap or organize while dinner is cooking. I\'d have an armoire (like I have now) with a fold-out leg and file drawer. I\'d have lots of lighting, an area for paper & magazine storage (maybe a closet with built in wood sections with a door to keep out dust), a nice craft table in case I wanted to have friends over to scrap, a stereo with lots of cds to shuffle, small microwave to heat up coffee, etc. and a small refridge to keep the margaritas in! LOL

colleen from fairbanks. alaska writes...
My dream scrap space would have to be a separate artist\'s studio with lots of natural light. I would love to have a minimum 10x20 space with one wall nothing but windows and the opposing wall would be built in shelves and cabinets. A huge table in the middle with extra storage underneath is a must as well as a sink. I love to stamp and find that having a sink close by is a must. Of course if my artist\'s studio was on the beach with palm trees swaying overhead and the sight of the ocean rolling in through the floor to celing windows it would be perfect. But i would also settle for a lush backyard setting with rose bushes or fragrant sweet peas.

Barb from PA writes...
I would have a room that has shelves, nice large table, a board to hang stuff you need quick like scissors, etc. I would also have a file cabinet for both sizes, a storage cabinet built to fit my supplies. Also, good day-light lighting. In my scrap-room I would need to have a TV also and a small radio or CD player to play soft music. And, even if I wouldn\'t watch TV totally while scrapping I like to have it on especially when QVC has their scrap-booking shows on. LOL.

Jette from Erwin, TN writes...
I have the room almost ready to move into...color wise it has an island feel (creamy yellow on the top, white chair rail, then a dark, rich peachy color on the bottom). If money were no object, I would have a wall of built in book cases with shelves to the ceiling and closed cabinet bases to display idea books, photographs and small baskets with my most used tools. In the bottom cabinets, I would store paper, larger tools, and my complete set of QK & Sizzix dies (it is a fantasy, right?) I would also have a large rounded front desk to work on in front of the cabinets and off to the side a countertop heighth work area so I could either stand or sit. At the end of the countertop would be a computer with scanner and color laser printer. Underneath the counter would be a small refrigerator and microwave for popcorn and other goodies. Naturally there would be a spot for friends to join me and a CD jukebox loaded with my Jimmy Buffett collection. That\'s my dream room...back to reality now with gratitude that I\'m finally going to have my own space & a pantry style cabinet!

Sharon Smith from MI writes...
Since I\'m also a quilter and draw inspiration from my quilting for my sb\'ing and vice versa, I would LOVE to have a room big enough to incorporate both hobbies - one wall of shelves to store my fabrics in layers where I can see all the colors and patterns - these are great inspiration for my sb\'ing. Another wall would have countertops with closed cabinets below to store all my larger items and open shelving above - with lighting below the cabinets to light the countertop. The shelves would hold my stamping supplies, idea books, binders full of embellishments and page kits, and photo boxes. I would also include a sink at one end of the counter with a microwave above it and small refrigerator below it. The 3rd wall would be counter for my computer with a pull out drawer below for my printer and scanner. Above would be a tv and enclosed cupboards for storing items \"out of sight\". The 4th wall would be all windows for letting in natural light and a great view - the beach, palm trees, or flowering bushes and blue sky - anything peaceful :-) Under the windows would be a large table with my sewing machine with cupboards below to hold my sewing supplies. And the most important work area would be a large island in the middle of the room that I could stand at or sit with a bar stool and large enough for my friends to join me and big enough to lay my quilts out on. Ahh....it\'s good to dream :-)

Cherie Stanley from Texas writes...
OK.,.hhmmm lottery time..right..LOL OK, I would want a bedroom to myself. BUT, I want my stuff hidden too! BUT, easy accessible. I want a HUGE china cabinet to put my stuff in with lots of shelves to put all my little stuff! I would like a table that can be put away by lifting it up and fastening it to the wall. and a nice size closet to hang all of my closes...OH wait,,, we\'re still on scrapping. OK, I need a couch in there and also a mini fridge..I liked that idea!! I want a rolling chair and ceramic tile floors! I want lots of shelves to display my completed albums and many pics on the wall. I think taupe and sage walls would keep the room mellow and less distractable for me! That should do for me. When are we starting on all these great rooms!!??

Mandy from Nebraska writes...
I\'m in the process of creating my room right now. I\'ll live with the space that I have but I would much rather have a room with a door! This is a 10x15 room at the top of our staircase that you walk thru to get to the two bedrooms and bathroom....a very large hallway! I will have book cases to hold various things, my table, iris carts, my 4 drawer file cabinet that currently hold all my 8.5x11 paper and then we are building something to house my ever growing collection of 12x12 paper. It will have an area large enough at the bottom for a basket or plastic tub...probably a medium sized one, then above that will be an area for a smaller basket and then above that we will construct the areas for my paper. I\'m thinking we will go 6 spaces tall...each around 6-8 inches in height and then probably 3 sets in length. Then I would have 3 medium baskets, 3 small baskets and 18 slots for paper. Make sense? I would also have more lighting installed. The current fixture isn\'t centered in the room so I\'ll probably add some lamps of some sort. I would put my computer up there also but we use it often during the day so it\'s better having it downstairs. My scrapbook room also has slant ceilings on one side so there is no way my computer desk would even fit up there right now.

Deanna from Houston writes...
If money were no object... I would design a room that allows for good lighting and lots of open space. The desk would have drawers to put all my in progress works in. Shelves in custom bookcases with things used often closest and going outward to thing rarely used (if ever). I would have it be a soft creamy yellow or blue to inspire and relax. The things to consider is where is most convienent and what is most inportant to you to have in the room. For me it is my Xyron and many scissors. Try using a pegboard behind the desk for hanging baskets and accessories.

Brenda Buzard from Tucson, AZ writes...
I needed to set up my room so I could easily see and access my supplies because I have Multiple Sclerosis and tend to forget what I have. This is what I\'ve done: I have my desk and computer in our spare room. It is just for my scrapbooking. I have some drawers, shelves etc but need to be sure to label them with what they contain. I also had my hubby put up pegboard around on the walls (anywhere possible). I purchased some see-through plastic hanging containers and zip lock baggies to put items in. Also, I have a couple of shoe hangers. I divided my room into 12 Areas (clockwise) and labeled (up high). Each area has a designated use (stencils, alphabets, punches or stamping supplies etc) I also have gone top to bottom and labeled with letters A-D. That way (I am still in the process of doing this.) I will be able to make a chart/lists that will direct me to Area 9, A-C which are my stencils etc. I may not be describing it well but I built up to the ceiling and down to the floor utilizing all the space in the room. People laugh when they walk in my room and say \"it looks like a scrapbook store in here!\" Also, I have offered anyone who wanted to come help me sort, the use of materials for free. I am \"killing two birds with one stone\" this way, one getting some help because I cannot do it alone and also getting some much needed company because I am homebound and super lonely. That\'s my tip. Go up...and label! Most of all have fun. God Bless, Brenda

Marcy in FL from Brandon, FL writes...
I would (and do) have a room. I have a cabinet where I store my memorabilia, idea books & unused albums. I have 2 tables set up. One is where I scrap. The other is where I keep my Sizzix (and soon my QK- Christmas gift) & stationery for when I write letters or cards. I have wire cubes for my CM supplies (I\'m a CMC). Kathy, I\'d definitely have a file drawer for 12x12 paper. That way, it\'d stay dust-free. This is my current room but my dream SB room would have cabinets around the walls, my tables in between the cabinets, so I\'d have all my stuff IN something. Definitely would have a good stereo in there for music while scrapping, and good lighting. :)

Arlene from Los Angeles, California writes...
I prefer a seperate room all together where I can close the door behind me and concentrate on my designs in peace and quiet. I have a workroom/office with plenty of natural light with the walk in closet where all of supplies are visible and easily accessable.

Colleen O from Pennsylvania writes...
Right now I have a scrap/craft room in the attic - it\'s nice but it could use a little help!! LOL My ideal room would have lots of windows with lots of beautiful sunshine streaming in creating the perfect lighting for all my color decision making. The room would have lots of shelves to display my completed projects and all of my supplies. I would love to have a custom built cabinet to store my cardstock, both 12x12 and 8 1/2 x 11, lots of little drawers to store all my embellishments (with clear fronts so I could see what I have)and I have a ton of these - just can\'t seem to get enough embellishments. I would also love a very large \"L\" shaped desk so I would have lots of space to spread out when I work and also to have the computer easily accessible on the table top (right now it is downstairs in the living room, so I save up all my computer work and do it all at once). I also would need a \"mailing station\" as I make and sell my own cards and tags. Oh yes, to dream ....... Someday maybe!! LOL

Sherry Letchford from Camanche Iowa writes...
I have my room, my son\'s bedroom{college Junior} so it has to be portable for when he comes home. If I were independently weathly{SIGH} I would have everything built in just the perfect size. I would have a multitude of clear plastic tilt bins in everysize all well marked{I can hire help now that I am rich right.} I woulD have solid oak built-ins for my paper,large embellishments, Xyron machine and refills, plus spaces for all the things I now can afford to buy like an acu cut machine and dies. I would have a large L shaped table {my room is rectangular}, and an oak cabinet with shelves for all my finished and unfinished albums, plus my scrapping books and magazines. I would have a small photo cormer with a computer and one of the new epson scanners and 12x12 printers, digital camera and port,and a photo printer . A built in Cd player and

Sherry Letchford from Camanche Iowa writes...
I have my room, my son\'s bedroom{college Junior} so it has to be portable for when he comes home. If I were independently weathly{SIGH} I would have everything built in just the perfect size. I would have a multitude of clear plastic tilt bins in everysize all well marked{I can hire help now that I am rich right.}for all my small items, embellishments, brads, pebbles, sticker etc. I would have solid oak built-ins for my paper,large embellishments, Xyron machine and refills, plus spaces for all the things I now can afford to buy like a Sizzex and dies. I would have a special area with a rugged mat for eyelets and cutting and with open shelving for all my tools,cutters etc. I would have a large L shaped table {my room is rectangular} to work on, and an oak cabinet with shelves for all my finished and unfinished albums, plus my scrapping books and magazines. I would have a small photo cormer with a computer and one of the new epson scanners and 12x12 printers, digital camera and port,and a photo printer . A built in Cd player and TV up in one corner so I can relax while I work plus moveable Tract lighting and a beautiful bay window. Nice dream. But I do have a room so I am lucky!

Donna Scraps from Central NC writes...
I have had several private scrapping spaces over the years, but as we add children and decrease square footage (now in seminary housing) my space gets smaller and smaller!! I find that a compact space is best for me anyway. I would want a u-shaped workspace with computer in one corner on the diagonal, and and attached hutch style bookshelves on one side. I would utilize the other deep corner for stackable paper storage. I like closing doors to keep stuff neat looking. I would also incorporate a large cutting mat for quilting and hamering! Cabinet space underneath would have pull-out shelves, like pot shelves in kitchens. I might even add a fold up leaf on one side so my bestest scrapping buddy could come over and we could crop together. Lots of windows would be a plus and an Ott-lite to boot.

Patrice Bullard from Crowley, TX writes...
My daughter and I are creating a scrapbook room. We have a molded top table 3\'x5\' with wire rack shelving for our supplies on the wall. We got the wire rack stuff at Target. It\'s the stuff you can put together to make cubes, but we used extra racks to create 1\" shelves for our 12x12 paper and we tied them together with zip ties from the hardware store. You can put them together anyway you want. We are putting in some haniging flourescent lights because there is no window in this room. We also have a dest with the computer next to the table. So all of our stuff is very accessible.

Joleen from Washington ST. writes...
What happens when you don\'t have that extra room or closet. I have the perfect spot right now. We have a small motorhome and when we went camping this last summer I took some of my supplies with me. Now that summer is over and school has started again, I can retreat the the motorhome pull out all of my supplies, work on layouts, leave things out, and know that when I return they will be right where I left them. It\'s a wonderful spot and it brings back fond memories of last summer. P.S. It\'s also easy to stash my resent purchases at the local Scrapbook store, before my family can catch me. :o)

Tennille writes...
Wow. wouldn\'t that be nice. I would have a room with lots of windows and a t.v. as I love to multitask. It would have to have a couple of big armoires to house my scrapbook supplies so that I can put the mess away when I am done scrapping. I would like a table that has a built in light box and shelfs underneath to hold my paper cutter and sizzix machine. I find that I am always getting these things out and putting them away,where I store them is kind of inaccessible. I would love a paper rack so that I could see all of the paper and I would like a couple of big shelfs to hold all of the finished albums and a nice soft chair where I can look at idea books and my albums. Of course there has to be plenty of snacks maybe even a small fridge where I could store soda or cold water.

Cori from Cori writes...
I am getting a scrap room for Christmas . Thanks to my great uncle. Anyways I just purchased the Crop in Style cabinets all but the 12*12 ones and those are from Cropper Hopper. I am having the computer down there too. I will have counter top a black with gray and tan specks. My walls are white based but ragged a tan color. I will have shelving above my counter top. I will have a peg board under the shelving but above the counter top to hold my tools. I have a phone/cable jack high above for my t.v. and satalitte. Extra outlets for my use anywhere I need it at counter top level. I am thinking galvalized sheet metal cut for my wasted areas to use as a bulletin board with magnets. I am having carpet only because of the basement issue and I\'m in cold Michigan. I don\'t do much painting so that is not an issue. And a pocket door so the door doesn\'t interfer with anything. And a hole in the countertop for my waste.

Barbara in IN writes...
great question! If money was not an issue i would have a large room just for me and my sb hobby. I picture one entire wall as a built in unit with many shelves and drawers. However, I would want to be able to close the doors on this unit, too!I would also want 2 8x10 ft tables in my room so i can spread out and have my projects ready to be worked on at any time. Also, i would love to have those stainless steel boxes in all sizes on my wall unit and resting on shelves throughout the room. Must have a state of the art lighting system and computer system. Plus, every color of Bazzil cardstock and Basic Grey that is out there! lol (okay, i can dream right.......) I would also want a big comfy sofa and 2 big comfy chairs and I big screen tv - just to get lost in! What a perfect room to sip hot cocoa!!! lol

Barbara in IN writes...
great question! If money was not an issue i would have a large room just for me and my sb hobby. I picture one entire wall as a built in unit with many shelves and drawers. However, I would want to be able to close the doors on this unit, too!I would also want 2 8x10 ft tables in my room so i can spread out and have my projects ready to be worked on at any time. Also, i would love to have those stainless steel boxes in all sizes on my wall unit and resting on shelves throughout the room. Must have a state of the art lighting system and computer system. Plus, every color of Bazzil cardstock and Basic Grey that is out there! lol (okay, i can dream right.......) I would also want a big comfy sofa and 2 big comfy chairs and I big screen tv - just to get lost in! What a perfect room to sip hot cocoa!!! lol

Sara Shepherd from Ohio writes...
I am in the planning process for a home office/scrapping room. I plan to have a closet built in with deep shelves to hold my supplies. Also i am getting a six foot table put on one wall so I can spread out my supplies and work on my albums. Most importantly- LOCKS on the doors to keep the kids out when I am not in there!!! :)

Amanda Oliver from Boise, ID writes...
Hmmm..if money, space, and time were no object in creating my own lil \"crafty nook\" for scrapbooking, what would I do? I would take part of the extra bedroom and buy a basic desk that is fairly big..preferably white in color. Take the dimensions on that big desk and have my sweetheart help me make a hutch to go on top. It would have basic shelving and be deep enough to store the trays that hold 12x12 paper. On the entire back of the shelving would be a piece of hardwood pegboard in white (easily bought at Home Depot) and cut to size then attached. I would buy the special hanging hooks and plastic organizers that you see at your local scrapbook store and hang up the scissors so they are in easy reach and easily viewable. And oraganize the paper on the trays. Have the pens and markers in a nice low profile basket so they can stay on their sides. Have the cutting mats and paper cutters in easy reach. Plus have some nice organizers to organize all my stickers and diecuts. And an extremely comfy computer executive rolling type chair. With one of those long lights that are natural light with with an adjustable arm. *smiles*

Belynda from Utah writes...
Last christmas my husband, knowing my wants before i do, reconditioned an old antique dentist cabitnet. He lined the drawers (of course)with a plastic lining. It has many drawers (22 to be exact) some only 2 inches high. It\'s the perfect for stamps, ink pads,embellishments, photos, and memoirabilia. He also made me a desk (his hobby is woodworking). I have a fantastic corner of our bedroom that I can scrapbook