Using IKEA Shelving Units to Organize Stamps

[stampchicago]

Hi all--

A long while ago, I got a few emails from SCS folks after I posted about how I finally figured out a way of organizing my supplies that worked for me, by customizing the PAX shelving system from IKEA. Basically what I did is install shallow pull-out shelves every 3" to work as a kind of flat-file. I've seen similar set-ups from California Closets and also on Candice Olsen's Devine Design, but for many times more the price of good old IKEA.

Well, I finally got a camera and took pictures after recently re-organizing my craft closet. I thought some of you might be interested.

The URL for my blog is:
www.organizationquest.com

The specific entries re: organizing the craft closet can be found at:
http://www.organizationquest.com/org...izing-the.html

and:

http://www.organizationquest.com/org...zing-craf.html

I've posted before-and-after organizing pix, as well as close-ups of some of the drawers.

Anne-Marie
former SU! demonstrator who is still making her way through mountains of supplies.

[MSBetsyZ]

marry me.....

[LuvCrft]

Wow, that's a really neat idea. My stuff is all over the place. I sort of know where things are when I need to find them. Usually, it'll take me pulling most of my hair out. Hehehe. Thanks for sharing. Now, I need to a way to convince my hubby to get it for me. ;-)

[phunkymama]

I considered that, but alas, the ceilings in my craft room are too low for the Pax system--it's really tall! I did go with Ikea kitchen cabinets, though. When the rest of my remodel is done, I'll post pics of my space too.

[kimz1959]

I LOVE IKEA!!!!

[AlbiaStamper]

Thank you for sharing. I love seeing other people's ORGANIZED craft rooms. I wish we had an IKEA closer!
Nancy

[jhtpa]

It is just beautiful! Congratulations on such a great job.
Jeannie

[Dani D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampchicago

Hi all--

A long while ago, I got a few emails from SCS folks after I posted about how I finally figured out a way of organizing my supplies that worked for me, by customizing the PAX shelving system from IKEA. Basically what I did is install shallow pull-out shelves every 3" to work as a kind of flat-file. I've seen similar set-ups from California Closets and also on Candice Olsen's Devine Design, but for many times more the price of good old IKEA.

Well, I finally got a camera and took pictures after recently re-organizing my craft closet. I thought some of you might be interested.

The URL for my blog is:
www.organizationquest.com

The specific entries re: organizing the craft closet can be found at:
http://www.organizationquest.com/org...izing-the.html

and:

http://www.organizationquest.com/org...zing-craf.html

I've posted before-and-after organizing pix, as well as close-ups of some of the drawers.

Anne-Marie
former SU! demonstrator who is still making her way through mountains of supplies.

You're hired! When can ya come over?

[inego]

I'll settle for the light switches and plugs to be installed in my space so I can put up a shelf or two...........GAH!!! When your contrator is your best friends husband.....LOL!!!

[stampchicago]

LOL, you guys, thanks so much for the nice comments. :-)
One of the things that I like is that the foot print is relatively small--only 2 feet deep by 39" wide. So it could fit in a lot of spaces. Not too expensive, either--at the time I got it, it was like 72 bucks for the frame and 24 dollars per pull-out shelf, or a two pack of regular shelves for . . . .I think 10 dollars. It's gone up in the past few years, but still relatively reasonable. FYI to Jen--it does come in a 6'-7" height--maybe that wouldn't be too tall for your ceilings? Of course, good old fashioned bracketted shelves can do nicely anywhere, and you can't beat the price . . .

Anne-Marie

[jennik]

I have closet envy!! When can you come over??? Mine is only slightly scary!! Now I feel like I should go work on my room. Naw....... what was I thinking!! ;)
Jennik

[phunkymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampchicago

FYI to Jen--it does come in a 6'-7" height--maybe that wouldn't be too tall for your ceilings? Of course, good old fashioned bracketted shelves can do nicely anywhere, and you can't beat the price . . .

My room is a former garage. I'm not sure of the height of the ceilings, but I can reach up and touch them with my fingertips, and I'm only 5'2". DH doesn't have any problems standing, but I think the Pax was either exactly the height of the ceiling, or maybe .5" shy. I just didn't want to risk it with the floor not being 100% level.

I forget the name of the base and wall cabinets I used, but I got warm beech Adel doors to go with the cork flooring. I was also able to customize the cabinets with some of the Rationell fixtures, including shallow pull out drawers (similar to the Pax, but much narrower) and even a pull-out ironing board that disappears into a drawer front. I also have deep pull out drawers that I put file frames in to store my 8.5x11 cardstock.

I like having my workspace at countertop height, as I often stamp while standing. I also have barstools for when I prefer to sit.

Thanks again for sharing your solutions. I really did love the Pax, but I'm glad to have found a workaround.

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennik

I have closet envy!! When can you come over??? Mine is only slightly scary!! Now I feel like I should go work on my room. Naw....... what was I thinking!! ;)
Jennik

LOL Jennik. If your stamping room is only slightly scary I'd say it's just fine!

Happy Stamping--

Anne-Marie

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunkymama

My room is a former garage. . . .I got warm beech Adel doors to go with the cork flooring. I was also able to customize the cabinets with some of the Rationell fixtures, including shallow pull out drawers (similar to the Pax, but much narrower) and even a pull-out ironing board that disappears into a drawer front. I also have deep pull out drawers that I put file frames in to store my 8.5x11 cardstock.

I like having my workspace at countertop height, as I often stamp while standing. I also have barstools for when I prefer to sit.

I really did love the Pax, but I'm glad to have found a workaround.

Sounds like a GREAT set up you have! Love to see photos!

I wish wish wish I had a garage; it's one of the things I miss the most, living in a high-rise. You have lots of room, there are often windows, the ventilation is good for when you use spray products, etc. Okay, now I'm having garage envy! ;)

I too use file frames-in-a-drawer to store cardstock. By cutting the frame to the exact length of the pull-out-drawer, I was actually able to get 4 or 5" more of room in each drawer than when I went with good old file boxes.

Anne-Marie

[stigmom6]

I love those drawers. I was just talking to hubby to see it there was a way to to make a free standing file cabinet out of them. Who doesn't love IKEA... They are the best, so many options and the price can not be beat!! Just think outside the box a little and it will go a long way! About 80% of my studio is from IKEA maybe even more :rolleyes: . I recently took pictures and posted them in my GALLERY.

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stigmom6

About 80% of my studio is from IKEA maybe even more :rolleyes: . I recently took pictures and posted them in my GALLERY.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THE BEST STAMPING ROOM I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!

Pant.

Pant.

Pant.

Anne-Marie who cannot be reached because she is selling her condo and moving to the 'burbs where she can have a dedicated stamping room like this.

[sprtchick]

I love Ikea...I keep saying I am going to find the one in CA and go but havent gotten there yet...
blessings.

[Craf-tee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

marry me.....

I happened to stumble on this thread and LOVE your idea....and cracked up when I read MSBetsyZ's comment...

[ineedthat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stigmom6

I love those drawers. I was just talking to hubby to see it there was a way to to make a free standing file cabinet out of them. Who doesn't love IKEA... They are the best, so many options and the price can not be beat!! Just think outside the box a little and it will go a long way! About 80% of my studio is from IKEA maybe even more :rolleyes: . I recently took pictures and posted them in my GALLERY.

I will not be jealous. I will not be jealous. I will not be jealous. I will not be jealous.

But I am. But I am. But I am. But I am. But I am.

I think I would never come out of that room...

[psychkim]

WOW...your BLOG is GREAT! I REALLY need to work on overall organization and de-cluttering in my house. I went "back" in your blog entries and am going to start by getting my house clean so I can then start organizing one "space" at a time

Thanks for the New Years Inspiration!

[MSBetsyZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craf-tee

I happened to stumble on this thread and LOVE your idea....and cracked up when I read MSBetsyZ's comment...

;) Thanks for bumping this back up! Gives me a chance to go and drool some more....

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craf-tee

I cracked up when I read MSBetsyZ's comment...

Hi there!
I know, MSBetsyZ cracks me up, too! When I first saw it I told my husband: watch out! you have competition! And the person STAMPS, too! and for a minute there, he was worried!

Thanks for the kind words. Wish I had a huge garage or craft room to devote a lot of space to, but since I don't, I have to satisfy myself with my little closet.

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychkim

WOW...your BLOG is GREAT! I REALLY need to work on overall organization and de-cluttering in my house. I went "back" in your blog entries and am going to start by getting my house clean so I can then start organizing one "space" at a time

Thanks for the New Years Inspiration!

Hi Kim! You're quite welcome and thank YOU for your kind words and inspiration in turn. It's nice to know that someone can find some encouragement or motivation from the posts. I get so very much from SCS and other blogs, that it's nice to give back in return.

[stampchicago]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSBetsyZ

;) Thanks for bumping this back up! ....

Thank you MSBetsy! Your kind words make me feel as if my humble little closet is as grand as a Stampin' Palace!

[stampincrazyjen]

I love it! Your blog is great too!

[stampchicago]

Thanks, Jennifer! I enjoyed your gallery, esp. "Scrabble Love" Never too early to work on those Valentine's days cards!

[MSBetsyZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampchicago

Thank you MSBetsy! Your kind words make me feel as if my humble little closet is as grand as a Stampin' Palace!

Hey, there! I'm over at your place now, just droolin' away, lol! I could never be as organized as you, not in a million years. Still, I can always admire!

Tell your hubby he should be worried, lol...my dh would probably spring for the rings if he thought you'd get me organized...:rolleyes:

[stamphappy1650]

Love those drawers. I have drawers like these in my kitchen and never, never thought about my stamp room. I want to redo my stamp room this spring and this give me some great ideas, thanks.

[toodlesyall]

Anne-Marie, this is awesome! I admit, though, the favorite part of your blog was the "anticipated vs. actual" meter. Hilarious but oh so correct! Congrats on your well-organized craft space.

[ccmom09]

Your blog is great! Thanks for all your info.

[LU LU 7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stigmom6

I love those drawers. I was just talking to hubby to see it there was a way to to make a free standing file cabinet out of them. Who doesn't love IKEA... They are the best, so many options and the price can not be beat!! Just think outside the box a little and it will go a long way! About 80% of my studio is from IKEA maybe even more :rolleyes: . I recently took pictures and posted them in my GALLERY.

Wow those are awesome pics! U r very creative, love the whole room! So-o- much space u must be on cloud nine. When can I come to play,ha ha! Anyway kudos to you on a job well done.

[LU LU 7]

Anne Marie what an organized Queen you are. Maybe u should be for hire and help the rest of us that try so hard to be organized. I love to work in a clean space like a child loves to color a blank piece of paper. So much potential just waiting to be revealed. I do remind the kids if you keep things neat and tidy we can find things so much easier, it starts out that way but I can only be in one place at a time or we are always running out the door. Oh well,will keep trying - wish me luck. Thanks for sharing and may we follow your example.:-D

[LU LU 7]

Anne Marie what an organized Queen you are. Maybe u should be for hire and help the rest of us that try so hard to be organized. I love to work in a clean space like a child loves to color a blank piece of paper. So much potential just waiting to be revealed. I do remind the kids if you keep things neat and tidy we can find things so much easier, it starts out that way but I can only be in one place at a time or we are always running out the door. Oh well,will keep trying - wish me luck. Thanks for sharing and may we follow your example.:-D

[LU LU 7]

Sorry hit button twice. Anyway have a great day. Keep on a stampin!!!