Another post in the never-ending arts and craft storage organization saga…
If money were no object, I would immediately snatch up these beautiful, handmade Serena and Lily boxes for our arts and craft storage:
Alas, $88 for a set of three (on sale!) seems pretty steep for a budget organization project, especially when I’d need several sets. Besides, I like the patterns now, but I may not care so much for them in a couple years. I don’t know about you, but my taste changes over time. And those are some crazy, vivid patterns.
In the meantime, these more affordable boxes from IKEA are growing on me:
I was hoping for something other than cardboard (thank you all for your fantastic storage tin suggestions!). Unfortunately after several (unsuccessful) trips to various container stores, I’m slowly reconciling myself to the idea of cardboard storage boxes. I especially like this green color and the various size options. I’m concerned about the construction and how they’ll hold up over time. I also think they look, well, cheap.
I prefer these PVC-free scrapbook storage boxes from Amazon
Maybe we can make this size work. I think we’ll need a bunch of them though. We have a lot of art supplies.
Updated to add: Be still my heart! I found them in other sizes (though they are still on the small side). Finding the boxes in the sage green color (without paying outrageous shipping costs) may prove to be a challenge though. Is it worth it?
To shake things up even more, I saw this garden storage cart in the April issue of Country Living magazine
I love the re-purposed wooden crates with the chalkboard painted sides. I even have chalkboard paint in the garage waiting to be used. I didn’t have any luck finding the crates at the thrift store today; maybe I’ll have better luck at a flea market. I like the idea of spray painting them turquoise too.
I actually like the idea of incorporating both types of boxes — mixing and matching the green archival boxes with the charming (bright blue!) wooden crates.
What do you think I should do?
oh i agree – mix & match! what a fun way to break out the chalkboard paint, too…
$88?! Um, wow. I’m all for the inexpensive cardboard plain boxes — one can always decorate the outside with a bit of whatever’s inside to give it a bit of organizational flair. I think I’d use the boxes for messy supplies (that Mama might not want available to toddler eyes all the time) but then use the repurposed crates as a sturdy way to hold everyday essentials like crayons/colored pencils/stickers/etc. My own art closet needs a makeover!
Those are super cute! We need to get something like these to sell at my family business. Here’s a link to some linen covered baskets as a inexpensive alternative at Papermart (they don’t have lids though): http://www.papermart.com/Product%20Pages/Product.aspx?GroupID=33704&SubGroupID=33702&ParentGroupID=33760#33702
They’re only $20 for a pack of 12, and made of bamboo! Hope this helps!
Once I painted some shoe boxes. It’s basically the same thing as the ikea boxes. Nothing cardboard will really hold up, but at least when these fall apart they’ll have been free. I did reinforce them with duct tape though and that really helps them last. You can’t really see the tape under the patterns I painted on most of them.