My craft is mosaic art. I have a million freezer containers of cut glass. My challenges are that glass--especially sheets of uncut glass--get heavy and I would like to be able to know what colors of glass are in the plastic containers without opening them. I've tried labels with my labeling machine but they tend to come off. I have a craft table with a top that I'm able to raise, which is wonderful. You might consider having your work surface raiseable. Glass is basically taking over my life. I need room for tools, patterns, grout, etc. Good luck with your design :)

I do sew but machine is heavy to lift = a shelf that rises up would be great. Also I knit and right now have 5 bags holding yarn. Would like a shelf(s) to hold yarn and a cubby for left over yarn. I now knit hats and scarfs for our food bank to pass out to clients. Since I Iive in a small small mobile home space is a premium. Love your idea it could find many uses.

Right now, my craft hobby is making jewelry, and right now most of my stuff is in a 3 drawer tool box. I can close things off securely (it was really important when I had a puppy), and it's easy to carry around to different rooms or table tops where I might want to work. The more I've gotten into the craft, though, the more extensive my equipment, so now I think I need a permanent space and work table. I use a clamp light (with magnifying glass), so there'd have to be a reliably sturdy spot for that, and I don't like facing a wall when I work - even a wall of shelves and cubbies - so those would have to be to my sides (above or below) when I'm sitting at the work table. Of course, don't forget space for electric and USB cords.

I like the idea of storage on the back of the doors.

SEWING

I'm a sewer. I would like to be able to access it from the outside; sometimes I need to a tape measure, the fabric scissors, or a seam ripper to deal with a tag, but I don't want to open the whole cabinet.

Like, a partial door that opens to a compartment, or pegboard that is also accessible from inside the cabinet once you open it. Or, I suppose, if it were really easy to open (half-width doors? or just really-easy-to-open doors?)

Also, if I'm using a sewing machine, I need the table to be free on the front AND the back, so the fabric can drape over the table and machine. So if the table is fastened to the cabinet, I'd need to sit on one side. But you're probably aware of that.

I like the idea of having some sort of pegboard storage, to hang things on temporarily. I also like having an inch grid on my cutting surface--but that often HAS to be the dining room table, simply because I need a big surface for that.

In fact, sewing needs TWO surfaces: one to put the sewing machine on, and one to use for laying things out while you're pinning them together (plus of course cutting them out, but you don't have to have the machine surface at that time).

So...I would use that table from the cabinet for the machine. Which means I'd need to store:

-a folding cardboard cutting board (to put on the dining table; Dritz Superboard, or Simplicity and Wrights make one as well)

-the machine itself (I have a portable machine, so I have a case for it that I'd need to store somewhere; I wouldn't have to store it in the cabinet, though; ideally I could store the machine on a shelf that lets me slide it out onto the table, instead of having to lift it.)

WOODWORKING

I am personally designing a cabinet for woodworking, specific to the things I think I'll need (I think I want it to function as a sawhorse to work with my Black & Decker Workmate table, the little one).

Many of the things I'm coming up with for there are not particularly translatable to sewing. Well, they might be--if I could adjust the shelving to accommodate larger things (like being able to set my saw or drill down quickly while I'm working), or if there were pegboard lining the inside of the cabinet for customization, like adding hooks for clamps

The work surface for woodworking would need to be sturdy enough to clamp to, and to resist sideways pressure while using a power tool.

Detachable table?

If I wanted one table that would work on either craft, I'd actually want one that could detach and stand alone. That would be sturdier than having it supported by hinges on the cabinet. And it would allow me to place it somewhere else if space was tight where the cabinet is.

Though that might not work as well.

Clearance in the room

I would want half doors, or maybe 3/4:1/4 doors, if the cabinet is wide enough, because then I don't have to move as many things to open it all the way.

Vertical storage

One thing I'm considering adding in my woodworking cabinet is an extra layer of pegboard that is hinged to one side of one of the inner compartments (so it almost functions like a door, but mostly as a way to simply get more vertical space without having to have yet another full section). I would put flat things (like the spare circular-saw blade) and stuff I need to access quickly (like, clamps, drill bits). And behind it I'd put less-used stuff (or stuff I need to get out and leave out, instead of putting it back and forth).

(here's flat things, but on a pull-out)

https://www.instructables.com/id/Mobile-Storage-Cabinet/

Shelves and adjustability

For lots of project types, there are things that are best stored in flat drawers--but drawers aren't easy to see overhead. You probably won't want to install lots of drawers, etc., bcs they're expensive to make. And people will want their own sizes, shapes, etc., anyway.

So having those bookcase slotted standards for adjustable shelves will be a smart idea. Then people will have 1/2" distances to work with (more precision) as they put their own plastic drawers or scrapbook-paper cases on.

But with a 48" width, it might be good to divide it up into 24" sections, or 16" sections (maybe investigate some widths of plastic-drawer-type solutions, or scrapbook-paper cases, etc.?)

I would make the rear section deeper, and I'd make the doors not so much slabs as shallower bookcases in and of themselves. So the rear section is 18" deep, and the doors are 6" bookcases. Or 15" and 9" maybe. (though 6" shelves are good because stuff can't get lost in the back as easily, and a great many bottles, etc., are 6" or less, so it's not exactly a skimpy shelf; medicine cabinets are 4" deep, and they're very useful)

Like this:

hmm, my pic of the doors didn't come through.

Sorry!

Thank you everyone for great ideas, suggestions and your personal input.
There are some really valuable requests that I will seriously consider working into the design.
As I begin working on the prototype I will be sure to post pictures here and on my website.
detailbydesign.ca
Keep the ideas coming! It is very helpful.

Natalia

I find when sewing, and when doing woodworking, that I often have something small I want to set down. I want to have a ledge just about arm's length from where I'm sitting at the sewing machine.

Wow, you're into so many hobbies, and this is so little space. This is going to require solid planning. My thoughts:

- How often do you use your sewing machine? If you use it constantly, you might consider putting it on a pop-up shelf -- the type people use in kitchens for heavy stand mixers. You can make those shelves any width you want.

- I'd say get a collection of (matching) plastic boxes -- one for each hobby. Label these and put them up on shelves at the top of your storage area. This'd allow you to bring down JUST the scrapbooking box(es) or JUST the sewing notions box.

- This goes without saying, but it'd be smart to start by doing a good clean-out. Discard anything you're not using.

I do cross stitch and embroidery. I need storage for: beads, fabric, patterns, floss, mat board, framing tools, sewing machine, mat cutter, frames, glass, stuffing, ribbon.

so, some of Ashley G's stuff is wide and flat (cutting surface, frames). Others are tiny and easily scattered (beads); others fold into bulkier rectangular shapes (fabric, patterns). and others are large and heavy (sewing machine).

But you may also have to be comfortable with the idea that SOME things just won't fit--maybe frames and glass can't go in the cabinet itself; they'll have to be somewhere else.

My idea: have a false back on the cabinet that you can use to slide big flat things into from the side (like the cutting surface, or an ironing board). If your cabinet is sandwiched between two pieces of furniture, or in a closet, you'd have to pull it all the way out to access, but if it were by a doorway, you could design it to be attached to be accessed from whichever appropriate side (like a fridge door it).

And maybe you could have a way to attach supports to the inside of that back panel, so you could have "slots" at different heights (AshleyG's glass sheets could go in the bottom section; then a horizontal divider could be there to rest the frames on).

Or, do a similar "false panel" in the door (or doors)?

Oh--I wanted to say this: I live in an apartment, and I would not do most woodworking inside my actual apartment. So, if I were you, I might leave woodworking out of the equation. It just seems to have such different needs.

Mrs Pete and talley_sue_nyc Thank you both for your comments. The whole quest for this cabinet idea came from personal need, lack of space, few options available and an awareness that most people do not have the space to devote a ROOM to their hobbies. Myself, I sew, make jewelry, scrapbook, knit (occasionally), make dog collars, paint and have all the supplies for cross-stitch. Indeed I have sorted, organized, pitched and paired down, however, it still takes space and organization. I may be asking for miracles to house it all in one place. The goal is to put as many of the necessary functional items into the one cabinet. I feel that a sewer/quilter may have different needs from the scrapbooker yet many similarities as well. The focus is to create a craft/hobby room in a closet with as much attention to the needs of a wide community of like minded individuals as yourselves with an affordable solution that fits into small apartments, large suburban homes and anything in between.

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

N

" The focus is to create a craft/hobby room in a closet "

Why would anyone want to work in a closet? Seriously.....right now, I've spread towels over my dining table and am using it for my jewelry stuff (storing and working). I don't want to take something I like doing, and then have to do it in a small space I don't like.

I think the idea is that it's in a CABINET, instead of in a closet. Perhaps the wording should have been "in a space the size of a closet" (though the wording in the original post was:

function as a craft/hobby room in a closet!

Detail by Design: I think you are smart to build UP. So many pieces of storage furniture are WAY too squat. There's space up there that can be so useful.

I will be intrigued to see what you come up with! This is just the sort of thing I love.

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's comments. I'm thinking about using my bedroom for doing some crafts, sewing. Possibly some painting.

Not sure how I'm going to pull this off, so many intrests! Some things definitely have to be done outside, but for now, before you know it, winter will arrive ( ugh). I'd, for sure, want to be inside and warm!

Need to find a way to incorporate clothing, shoes, personal items and a ton of awesome and exciting yarn, paint, glitter, sewing machine and amazing fabrics I've been collecting.

I was wondering if you considered using an armour?

I realize its not a new idea, but it looks nice. Depending on the size, can hold a lot of stuff and the interior can be reconstructed.

I wish you all the best on your project and look forward to seeing your pic's!

If anyone out there has combined their bedroom and craftroom, I would LOVE to see it!!

Thank You!

Cheers!

Thank you Loretta Leo!

My design is very much like an armoire. It is being designed to accommodate as many of the little and vast amounts of supplies that come with being a creative. The goal is to be able to have this piece in any room of your home (as not all creatives have a room to designate for their art). Functional yet attractive, built-in work surface, thoughtful storage solutions, task lighting, etc.

Everyones' feedback has been amazing!! I will be posting preliminary photos before Christmas!

Hey, Detail by Design:

I got an ad on my Facebook feed for a crafting cabinet.

I wondered if there were any ideas you could steal (I might snitch the double-layered doors...)

https://www.poisly.com/?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=225&fbclid=IwAR1SF8Yd72HcEI1-78-pl4pVZ25ATRAv8EASpmN5UYQphi_2IvUvtXcM_cs

Here is another one I've seen: https://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com/products/workbox-3-0?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvebhBRD5ARIsAIQUmnk-xbmpERmcrfsmsQ_lj2mzoCWzDB3lnntaXnPSZbnjCjo6KyBmksIaAjZtEALw_wcB

Bluebell66 I have seen this cabinet as well. My concern with this piece is it requires assembly (my understanding from the comments and reviews) and is expensive for the average person. I am hoping to keep costs lower and provide a fully assembled version!