I have been asked to explain how I created a craft/office/living space that is both functional and organized. So I did some measuring this morning.
I spend most of my daytime hours in this room, and it is 14 feet by 18 feet. In this space I have doorways on three walls. So this limited me somewhat on furniture arrangement.
Still, I managed to define a living area, an office/computer area, and what I refer to as my library/bistro area.
Below is the corner which is my office area. I measured it out, and it comes to about 5 x 8 feet.
I use old vintage boxes to store books I often need for reference.
A rolling file cabinet stores the home’s necessary files. And on top of that I have scrapbook paper I use for decoupage projects.
When remodeling this room over a year ago, I had shelves built up high around three sides of the room, where I could put knick-knacks and such there was no spare room down below for.
Adjacent to my office space is my library/bistro space. I can sit here and have coffee and scan through decorating and gardening books. This area is 6 x 7 feet. So I have a lot packed in a small space. The key is to use your space both horizontally and vertically. And to combine function and decorating at the same time.
Just across from my computer/office area is my living area. I have a reading chair and couch, along with a table and chair combo, along this long wall. It measures out 8 x 18 feet.
Between the photo above and the one below, you see the entirety of the west wall. I use outdoor rugs, due to the fact that three pets are in this room much of the time.
I have very little drawer space, so I have to go vertical for some things. This rubber stamp cabinet I purchased at Michaels. I think you can also get them at Hobby Lobby. I can store my stamps and get the extra benefit of seeing them on display.
Try to buy decorative storage when you can. It looks good, and you can hide supplies at the same time. This textile box looks old, but it’s actually a reproduction piece.
Just use your imagination. Size up how much room you have, and decide what components must fit in this area. Then divide that space into little “rooms” to get the most of that space.
Another hint is to carry a tape measure with you in the car. Then when you find a piece, you can find out if it will work in your space without making several trips.
You can use dish drainers for file dividers, vintage jars for small things like buttons. Think outside the box and look at what you already have with fresh eyes. Go through your garage, basement or attic and see what you can come up with that would serve a function and look nice at the same time.
I’m linking to Today’s Creative Blog’s Get Your Craft On Tuesday.
Just too cute for words. I could spend hours and hours in this room and dream away. It has such a peaceful quality and yet, inspiring to create. So many ideas to look at. YOu are one creative lady that’s for sure.
Kate – T.g.B.
It looks great! You are very organized too. I love all of the colors you use…and I adore your library/bistro area…
I am having a GIVEAWAY!! Come enter…
Hugs,
Penny
Hi Brenda! You really have a perfectly organized office space! But I love all your living room! esp the bistrot corner: it’s so inviting and cozy!
Hugs!
Mara
I love your corner!! I am fortunate to have a whole room to create in, but now I don’t have a guest room. There is a hotel 2 miles away!! hahaha
I can put up a twin air mattress bed if needed.
I cannot imagine living in a home where there is not a corner for just me!!!
I am going back to my space to have a good look at doing things a little differently now.
There is a answer in that mass of clutter I call a work space. I know it.
Jen
Your space looks great! Everything looks so nice together. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks!
You did a great job with your space, Brenda, and I think the key is to think vertically. That is an excellent point. Most people only think horizontally.
XO,
Sheila
what a creatively beautiful room! you cannot possibly have little kids there… otherwise it would not be so orderly. oh to have a space without little kids messing it up. i will just look at your space and dream
What a great space to dream and create…I love it. Red is my favorite color…so energizing.
I love the warmth of the room and the fact that it is fun and filled with a variety of things that you love. Very eclectic as though the decor grew over a matter of years. I love it!
Di
Your space looks too cozy – I don’t think I would ever leave
What an efficient use of space! You didn’t compromise a bit to achieve the best of function and beauty at the same time.
What an efficient use of space! You didn’t compromise a bit to achieve the best of function and beauty at the same time.
I just love your living, working, reading areas. Such a warm and inviting space and ever so much neater and organized than my little computer nook.
What a great space full of color and creativity.
Blessings~
Gwen:)
Your us of old boxes & drawers for storage is so charming!
Lovely day,
Julia~
Excellent explanation, my friend. You have packed a lot into that space, creating separate areas that still blend together nicely.
Can I come over?
xo
Claudia
Hi, I like your Blue Willow. I also collect blue things. I am enjoying your site.
I came across your blog from The Daisy Cottage blog… so glad I found you! I’m looking forward to adding you to my list of blogs to check out regularly! Beautiful decorating!
I’m so glad you shared your room Brenda. I can go over to my new house and look at the family room with a new eye to placing my furniture. I love your room especially the library corner!
Love all your things! So pretty and homey.
Great post! It reads like a well written magazine article! I have always loved how you keep things so organized but colorful and jazzy! And I LOVE your bistro area…sigh
xoxo
Janie
What a charming little space you have, colorful and well thought out, cheery and warm.
Brenda, I just love this room. It’s so cozy and organized and the colors cheerful. I agree: when space is at a premium – go vertical! I have shelves up high too. The nice thing about them, besides having extra space for collectibles, is that you don’t have to dust them as often!
Hugs,
Diane
Brenda why is it you make things look so easy and pulled together so prefect. You simply amaze this ole grandma. Everything you do turns out just like you were doing it for a magazine. Ok Dan is tweaking my kitchen so what are you tweaking for me. lol
Why does Texas have to be so big so we could live closer…of course I would die if you saw my ole farmhouse and what it has been looking like since my fall.
Loved this and you
Maggie
Hi Brenda! You’ve got it going on, girlfriend! I love your craft/everything room! You’re very good at organization and making it look cute at the same time! I love all of your colors and I need you to come to my house and help me get my scrap room under control. Well,it’s not actually a room but half of my sun porch!
I need ya! 
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;O
My favorite little place in your pretty home is the library/bistro.
It’s is so cozy and the little recent table and chairs you added are adorable! Your creative space is wonderfully decorated too!
Happy week dear lady!
Linda
It is very nicely organized Brenda!
It really looks beautiful. Love the sweet doggies.
Hi Brenda!
First, I love that you have a “bistro area” right in the middle of your library – which by the way, is very impressive.
Great explanation – you’ve done a great job seperating your spaces and I love how you actually use and live with the things you love. This room is so cheery, I can see why you spend so much time there…I wish I wasn’t so afraid of color! I love all yours.
Hope you are enjoying your summer!
Sarah
practical and beautiful in the same…
Oh, I really love what you created, and how you designed so many colorful and lovely vignettes of organizational spaces. I was really interested in your post because I also spend so much of my time in my family room and kitchen that I decided to bring my art room, which was upstairs down into my family room.
Gradually I am organizing things and trying to make it attractive and functional.
Your post is both helpful and inspirational.
Karen
I loved your cozy space! Lots of red, white and blue. Everything in its place!
You’re so neat and organized!! You should see my area – it’s usually a mess! I love that rubber stamp cabinet! That’s so great that you can see each of your stamps and you know what you have You’ve made such good use of your space and it’s so cute too!
Manuela
This is such a great creative space, Brenda…not only is it organized, but beautiful to look at, as well!
I love seeing how organized your multi-purpose room is. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one with a nook instead of an office. My room has the computer corner, the sewing area, our library, our piano and a loveseat sitting area, not to mention my homeschool cabinet. Alot in the room, but it works for us
Thanks so much for sharing. You’ve given me some inspiring ideas.
Blessings,
Marcia
Love it all…. Thanks for sharing!
You…Are…Amazing…!
Thank you for the inspiration!
Just when I think I’ve whipped this house into shape, Brenda, I take a look at what you do with your space and I feel as though I need to start all over again.
I truly love your design sense.
For me, It all started with your Coffee Bar [which, btw, I do now have in the corner of my Kitchen] the rest of your home is equally inviting.
Hugs & ♥♥♥s,
Gerry
In addition to the tape measure, it helps to know the size of your trunk or cargo area, too. I hate to buy something, only to find I can’t get it in the car!
It’s easy to see why you spend a good portion of your day here. It has everything you could want. You did a great job of explaining how you created the different areas within one room. It is beautiful and so well organized.
Thanks for sharing, Brenda. What puzzles me is how you keep it all so neat and organized. I’d be working in there about 5 minutes before I would have it all turned into a disaster area.
Brenda you’ve done an incredible job of dividing your space into beautiful and cozy areas. Thanks for all the tips. My next place might be as small as a studio apartment, and these ideas will help a lot. ♥
You are indeed a very organized woman. You could teach classes on this.
Wonderful post, Brenda! You’ve really created charming areas that are as visually appealing as they are organized and convenient. It’s impressive that you’ve been able to find homes for so many beautiful and useful objects, while keeping the overall space airy and inviting.
Hope the rest of your week goes well.
Bye for now,
Bill
Hi Brenda, I love it. Your rooms are so organized and so full of energy. I could spend hours in there. Love all the reds too.
You have done a wonderful job!
Barb ♥
Hello Brenda,
You did a fabulous job creating an organized and functional craft/office/living space. It is a wonderful space! Great idea to use outdoor rugs. Considering all the furbabies that come through my home, I may go that route. I quit putting down rugs because they end up getting ruined so quickly. I also like your idea of the shelves you put up high on the walls. Because of the small size of one of the rooms in my house, I am definitely going to copy that idea!
~ Tracy
Brenda, your craft room/library/bistro is a crafters and bloggers paradise. Everything is so well organized and NEAT!! You are an inspiration to me!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Oh Brenda…you must have read my thoughts! It is such a peaceful, beautiful space and I am already incorporating some of your beautiful ideas into my own home. I have a room similar to yours but probably not as large but you are truly inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing so much of your home and decorating with all of us.
Sam
Hi Brenda,
Thank you so much for your visit today…
The funny thing is that I found you a week or so ago at Manuela’s. I was so taken with your story and your beautiful photos that I added you to my favorites…
I will be back to visit you again…
I love your colorful home…
Warm wishes,
Susie
I love your room! But I am the kind who loves little spaces I always have! Enjoy your space!
Hugs, Lisa
Your living space was so organize and I love it. How did you manage of arrange that in positions?
Deirdre G
homes for sale Philippines
Well, I’m most impressed, Brenda! Obviously, you are very meticulous and orderly and have a brilliant grip on spatial relationships. Everything works so well and of course looks so lovely! xo – g
Thanks so much for sharing, Brenda! A dish drain for files. Clever, girl! I’m enjoying seeing my office come together. It is a slow process for me, but it is still happening.
I can see why you love spending so mich time here, this room is so warm and cozy. I like it!!! I imagine you here reading or projecting…. I hope you’re doing fine my friend xx
Hello—
Popped over from “From A Writer’s
Kitchen.”
Very cute place you have and well organized too. I remember seeing your library area in Romantic Homes.
Congratulations on the feature.
Super blog you have. I’d love for you stop by Dreaming. New readers AND followers are great.
Have a super day!
Melinda
What a great space you have! Looks so cozy and inviting!
Thankss o much for stopping by my blog.
Alissa
what a great space, brenda! love that you have a bistro area! mmmm.
xo
elyse
It is all so lovely, and yet so well organized..I learned a few tips from those pictures…thank you.
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It’s beautiful Brenda. You truly know how to use every inch of space and make it look lovely, charming and cozy. You have a wonderful eye for display my friend. I would love to hang out at the bistro table with you.
Hugs!
You have all your craft things organized so neatly and I love how you incorporate whimsy and decor – your personality! – into that space, too. Great idea for the high shelves around the room. Makes for great storage space in an otherwise unused space.
~Melanie
http://www.comfyhouse.blogspot.com
I need to hire you to come get me organized! Love the cubby box with the different stamps. Your space is full of inspiration! Thanks for the visit. ~ Sarah
Such a dreamy room! It’s brilliant, really, the way you have it divided up. You sure do have a special talent for bringing on the charm! Makes me want to go organize something right now. Especially since it’s too hot to do anything else.
)
What a lovely living/work space you have carved out. It was such a good move with the outdoor carpeting. Our pets should feel just at home as we do.
I think I need an outdoor carpet slipcover for my couch so my dog, Lana, will be a little more comfortable. LOL Pam @ Sallygoodin
Brenda, all of your spaces are amazing! Your office with the stamps displayed and all the pretty storage and the bistro area with the bookshelves is fabulous!
Great post, I really enjoyed it.
I love indoor outdoor rugs too, I use one under my kitchen sink.
I have studied a lot on this topic, but I can certainly say that your ideas are the best I’ve ever heard.