Scrapbook Room Update

My original post about my scrapbook room transformation is here but since I've worked in this room for six months now I'll also share some of the things that worked and didn't work for me.

The transformation was done over the course of a few weeks. This is the room my oldest son had been sleeping in for a year or so. (He has since moved to college. ~sigh~) Many of his clothes and things, though, were still in his brother's room. You can tell from the before pictures that my stuff and his life were all crammed in together! I didn't scrapbook in here because there was no available space. I had all my "stuff" but nowhere to work! The room contained a full bed which was entirely too big for the room. The space is 10' x 12', fairly small for a bedroom, but we live in an older house and that's as good as it gets!

I spent weeks devouring websites and magazines trying to plan out my space. I was possessed with this project, probably more than any other one in our 21 years in this house. My husband and I enjoyed countless hours talking through my options and ways to keep the remodel as cheap as possible. We actually transformed the room in stages, moving out the full bed, chest and bookcase and replacing them with a twin bed. This immediately gave us a tremendous freedom in space! My husband also painted in stages as we repositioned things around the room. I also cleaned out my supplies BEFORE we started moving things around and sold the extras on Craigslist. (First mistake, not selling my supplies for more money. The lady who bought my extras got a great deal!)

 BEFORE

AFTER

And voila! Here's the most important wall in the room. (You can click on each picture for a closer examination). If you look carefully in the "after" pictures you will see many items reused and recycled in my new and improved room.

This picture highlights the same wall with some of my goodies, prices and where I obtained them. Many, many of my storage solutions came from yard sales. 

You will notice that my counter is waist high. I scrap and create standing up and there was much consternation over the exact height of the counter. Luckily, we figured right and it is perfect! I bought this desk chair at a yard sale and it was a great buy and the most comfortable chair. (My cats like it, too!)

The biggest splurge was the flat screen TV. The screen doubles as a computer monitor. Without this we couldn't figure out a place to put the old TV without losing a ton of space. This was a great purchase. I also splurged on an Ott-lite because I had heard wonderful things about them. Half price at Jo-Ann's.  The countertop was discounted at Lowe's and I adore it! Blends in with the room without showing lots of dust and "mistakes!"

I used many glass jars (mixed and matched) for storage of small embellishments, buttons, brads, etc. I think these were from a spice rack I found at a yard sale.

Inside one of my  miscellaneous baskets.

I bought several square baskets at the dollar store and love them for the uniformity and ability to store many different objects. Below are chipboard pieces.

Love my label maker for tags!

Clear stamps

I have had these black drawers for several years and love them for organizing so many different things including patterned and solid paper scraps (separated into small and large). Can I just say I'm in love with my label maker? I destroyed the one I started with so I bought another one just like it.

Journaling and memo pads, note cards, lined decorative paper

Stamp necessities

Sticker sheets

Brads and eyelets

Small solid paper scraps (I also have drawers with large solids and both patterned small and large scraps).

Stamp pads

This is one of my favorite storage solutions! I adore ribbon and have far too many rolls that I have gotten at yard sales and craft stores. I wanted to be able to see as much of it as possible because it inspires me and I use it often on cards and layouts.  My husband rigged the dowel rods and hooks. A perfect solution plus it's pretty to look at!

I use a Making Memories Desktop Carousel for all my crucial items. When I go to a crop I just take it with me like it is! It includes my adhesives, glues, notepads, corner rounder, etc. 

I have a stool here in case I want to scrap or work sitting down. One of my top goals for this room was keeping my Cricut out to use whenever I wanted. Score! This little table was in our living room and I repurposed it for my room. Perfect!

My husband is a painting contractor and often brings home things others are getting rid of. He was given this rolling craft table that stores underneath my counter but also opens to give me a tremendous amount of space if I want to invite a friend over or need extra room. Free!

My husband built this wooden shelving unit for paper but I now use it for idea books stored in the closet. I used two of the tackle boxes for alphabet letters and misc. small embellishments. It's not the most immaculate closet but I can get to everything!

Most important storage: my secret stash of chocolate (the little green box)! Every crafter needs one of these!

I use these hardware organizers for storage of individual letters and other misc. embellishments.

My scrapbook room's design ended up revolving around the two units I bought at Goodwill for $20 total (below).  The unit had 6"x6" cubbies with removable partitions. I removed several of them to allow the units to be used for 12x12 paper. Absolutely perfect solution for my massive collection! (I am slightly paper crazy.) This also allowed smaller compartments at the top for some of my other supplies.

Below this unit is storage I already had. All these units combined to give me one perfect storage unit that just thrills me to death! Inside the shelves and drawers are card products, pens and embellishment storage, etc. Don't you just love it? I am beyond thrilled!

Pen storage

Chipboard embellishments

Quote packs

Cards and envelopes

We bought the twin bed with headboard from my niece and used a mattress and bedding we already owned. Best feature: more drawers for my ribbon stash! It seriously was taking over the world!

We painted the room a neutral color and when I found these brand new window treatments, unopened, at a yard sale for $2 I was elated! Perfect touch.

I wanted a place to display recent layouts and this was our solution. I love the inspiration and feeling of accomplishment it gives me.

Recent layouts

This wall was a work in process. I got the black shelf at a yard sale for $3 and used pictures I already had for the inserts. I used half off coupons and bought two 12x12 frames at Michael's and found a couple more at a yard sale. I then used free collage prints that I had gotten at Walgreen's, matted them and used the Cricut for the date. I love this wall and it only cost about $15!

SCRAPBOOK ROOM REMODEL

TOTAL PRICE:

About $500!

Lessons learned from my remodel: 

**time spent researching and dreaming and planning are not spent in vain!

**use your space wisely and evaluate where to put your most used items

**decide whether you want open or closed storage (I used both)

**if you want to do things as inexpensively as possible you have to be prepared to take your time and collect storage items over a period of time

**the room is always a work in progress

I'm linking with: Funky Junk Interiors Thrifty Decor Chickhttp://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-before-and-after-party.html