Craft Room Ideas — 4 Inspiring Creative Spaces

Do you have a creative corner in your home? If not, what is holding you back? Do you want one? If you have one, does it inspire you? How can you make it better so that you feel encouraged to use it regularly?

There are several elements you will need to set up a creative space that works. First, identify the location and then the work surface and storage that you require — so it’s vital to assess your needs and take inventory. You might require additional work surfaces for different tasks (painting, computer, printing), so take into consideration your work style. Another important element is your chair — it needs to be comfortable — and don’t forget to give yourself a bit of wall space to gather inspirations in a place where you can see them daily. The final element is to ensure you have the best lighting so you can see what you’re doing!

Carve Out a Space to Create
Most of us have a favorite place to hang out at home, our own little sanctuary for enjoying a cup of tea while flipping through a magazine. Where is the one spot that you seek out for reading, working, reflecting, crafting, playing with your children? That single space, your inspiring nook, can allow you to unleash your creativity and set ideas into motion. A cozy nook can also lead to a greater sense of well-being, because it simply feels good to take time out for yourself, doesn’t it? Whether you live in a large home or a tiny apartment, consider allocating yourself that special corner or a room if you don’t already have one. Finding the space can be a problem for so many when deciding on exactly where their nook should be — in fact, securing a creative corner often requires creativity! I work from home so I needed a creative corner for a desk, because my home office on the sofa wasn’t working out. I decided to lay claim to an area in our rarely used dining room and it has become the perfect workspace.

Try It Out First
Before setting things up, bring a chair into the spot you’ve designated, sit on it, and stay for awhile! See if you really like being in the area. Turn the chair to face different directions — face the window, the door, the wall . . . what feels most natural?

A Working Scheme
- If you don’t have a door, a curtain may help to visually separate the space and allow you to close it off when not in use.
- If you don’t have a whole room you can commandeer, look for an unused space in your home — the hallway, beneath the staircase, in a corner of the living room, etc.
- If you want it to feel relaxing, pick colors that calm you down like blues, neutrals, and violet. Decorate with objects that aren’t super stimulating. Keep it simple.
- If you want it to feel cozy, add texture through plants, window treatments, throw rugs, a cushion for your chair, etc.
- If you want to stimulate thought, work with colors and patterns that give you energy like red, yellow, pure white, green, or a graphic combination like black and white.
- If you want it to feel personal, bring in things that you really love, objects that make you happy. If you plan to use them for your projects and hobbies, think of creative display ideas too — ribbons stashed away in drawers would look so much prettier if displayed in a ribbon holder or from tacks on your moodboard.
- If the space is a bit odd — tiny, extremely narrow, an odd-shaped alcove, or perhaps a hidden niche — then consider customizing it with built-ins. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, storage cabinets, a window bunk, a custom workspace — the investment is often worth it because you can fully utilize every square inch. If hiring a cabinetmaker isn’t in your budget, opt for a more do-it-yourself version and get imaginative at your local Ikea.

This is the very pink and lovely creative space belonging to my friend, Dutch blogger Yvonne Eijkenduijn. Isn’t this an inspiring setting to tap into your dreams, ideas, and inspirations? Her bookshelves are from Ikea; she cleverly designed shelving to fit the entire length of her workspace, which doubles as a dining area, and topped it with a sheet of custom-made wood to marry the individual pieces. In her vintage cabinet, which she has painted white, Yvonne stores a few of her favorite things, from yarn to stationery, which double as display.

To add some pattern to my creative corner, I tacked up a sheet of my favorite wallpaper between my two windows — it's called Harlequin, in mint green and white, and comes from Ferm Living. I placed my table near the windows so I can tap into the natural daylight that floods this space throughout the day. This is particularly important since light affects my mood tremendously and serves as a terrific source of motivation and energy. If light affects you similarly, try working near a window if you can — it can really impact your mood and even your work!

 In my sitting room, I carved out a space in the corner for being creative. The white wooden cabinet from HKLiving in Amsterdam is my storage space and the Alex drawers from Ikea hold papers, scissors, rubber stamps, and stamp pads — all items that I use when making things by hand. The pinboard, a sheet of cork that I covered using old linen, was mounted to the wall and is used for pinning favorite things. Mismatched chairs sit around the table that serve as extra seating for when I use this space to craft with friends or with my students.

If you’re not a fan of pinboards, opt for floating picture ledges from Ikea placed above your desk. They are perfect for rotating objects that catch your eye and allow you to freely place your inspirations as they hit you.

Excerpted with permission from "Decorate Workshop: Design and Style Your Space in 8 Creative Steps" by Holly Becker and published by Chronicle Books.