(Family Features)
A desk or workspace is one of the most difficult spaces to organize. Between the things you need to keep within reach and the mementos and treasures you want close by, chasing away clutter may feel like a losing battle. Especially when surface space is at a premium, try turning to your walls for creative storage solutions.
This whimsical organization board, a project designed by the crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, lets you create a fully customized storage center to stash whatever you need. This design allows for everything from jewelry and charging cable storage to paper filing and photo displays to functional tools such as a clock or mirror. Choose fabrics and paint to fit your space; there’s plenty of room to go bold with bright patterns and colors or tone it down for a more subtle look.
Room Organization Board
Crafting time: Varies
Skill Level: Some experience necessary
Supplies and Tools:
- Cork board
- Dry erase board
- Stretched canvas in multiple sizes
- Cork roll
- Foamcore board
- Batting
- 2-3 coordinating fabrics
- Craft glue
- Straight pins
- Paint (coordinate colors to fabric)
Optional enhancements:
- Ribbon
- Drapery grommets
- Cording
- Clothespins (large and small)
- Wooden pegs
- 3-piece clock kit
- Mirror
Lay out cork board, dry erase boards and canvas, leaving some space between each piece for pops of color with fabric.
Once composition and total project size has been determined, measure empty spaces to make fabric-covered boards.
To create a fabric covered board, cut foamcore board to proper measurement. Cut batting 2-3 inches larger than board all the way around. Place batting on front of board and wrap around to back. Fold corners so they are neat and not bulky. Adhere with craft glue, using straight pins to hold in place until dry. Iron fabric. Once each piece is finished, place back into layout to make sure everything is still properly lined up and measurements are correct, making adjustments as needed. Repeat to make as many fabric boards as needed to fill the open spaces.
Leave fabric covered boards as is or add some storage. Hang ribbon and grommets for cable organization. Stretch cording as clothesline and use clothespins for displaying pictures. Add diagonal fabric pocket for papers.
Paint canvas pieces in solid colors or patterns to coordinate with fabric. The stretched canvas can also provide interesting storage options. Hang it backward for a quick shelf. Add pegs for hanging storage. Turn it into a clock with a simple 3-piece kit or add a mirror. Double it up with another canvas for extra dimension.
Once all pieces are finished, hang together on wall.
Find more ideas for creating storage with crafts at www.joann.com.
