Want to spend more time making rugs? Having a dedicated space and getting organized will help. Work and storage space requirements will be as unique as the rugs you make

Some methods of rugmaking do not require a lot of space and are very portable. Knitting and crocheting are good examples. A project and supplies can be held in a tote, basket or bag. An inexpensive pencil box is a great addition to keep smaller items handy like scissors and needles. Keeping everything together will allow you to quickly grab your project and take it out to the deck, the car or work on it while you watch your favorite TV show.

Other methods of rugmaking require more work and storage space. Keep in mind, if you don’t enjoy the space, you probably won’t use it, so here are some things to consider when planning your work space for larger projects:
Environment: Where do you currently work on your rugs? What do you like or dislike about the location?
Would you describe your ideal environment as quiet and peaceful or connected with everyone else in your home in the center of all of the activity?
What do you normally listen to: TV, books on tape or music?
Lighting: Do you like direct sunlight and looking out the windows as you work or do you prefer to work with ceiling and work lights?
Space: Think about the tools and equipment that you would need to leave out and have available, for example: Work Table, Sewing Machine and Table, Braiding Stand, Computer, Frames, Space to work on the floor, cutting mat.
Storage: Fabric, Threads, Sewing Notions, Yarn, Patterns, Books, Knitting Needles
Ergonomics: Do you like to stand, sit in your recliner or in an office chair with rolling wheels?

Once you have a good idea of what your ideal workspace is like, you can start identifying where in your home; you would like to have your “craft room”. If you don’t have room to put your storage in the same room as your workspace, concentrate on putting your workspace in your ideal environment and finding another space, either in a pantry or a closet close to where you are working to store all of your supplies.

If you don’t have a spare room available, here are some ideas for finding space for your craft room:
Combining Spaces:
Guest bedrooms and dining rooms are often the least used rooms in a home. By using the space as both a craft room and a guest room or craft room and a dining room, the room will be used more often and projects will only need to be put away when guests are coming.

Create a “Nook”:
Try moving your couch away from the wall and placing a table and shelves behind it, so projects are partially hidden and not out in the middle of the room.
How wide is your hallway – do you have room for a table or cabinet along one of the walls?
Think about purchasing an office armoire either for work or storage space and close the doors when not in use.
Consider using folding tables which can easily be put away when not needed or the space is needed for other purposes.

Really crunched for space? Maybe you do your cutting at the kitchen table and work on your rug in the family room. Keeping all of your cutting supplies in the kitchen and all of your other supplies close to the family room will save time. Another option is to keep your project and supplies on a rolling tea or serving cart that you can move from room to room and push into a corner or closet when not in use.

Before purchasing tables or armoires, take measurements and draw your space on a piece of paper, leaving at least three feet as a minimum for walkways through the room, around work tables and room for your chair. Before moving everything into your new space, move in large items to see if everything fits and looks the way you imagined it.

Enjoy your new space!