How To Store and Organize Art Supplies: Quick & Easy DIY

Creative people tend to have a plethora of supplies. We collect things that speak to us, we buy new supplies because we like to try new things, we save things because we think it may come in useful one day. Before we know it, we have a lot of art supplies all around us and no room to create. Sound familiar? I have some solutions that are quick and easy.

PAINT TUBES

The more you paint, the more you learn about the many types of paint. This leads to having several tubes of paint that usually end up in a bucket or basket and are hard to sort through. I saw this idea on Pinterest (on left) and decided to make my own (on right)!

I like to use what I have on hand, otherwise I tend to never get around to doing the project. I found a piece of scrap plywood and lightly sanded the edges so they weren't too rough. I laid out my tubes of paint to make sure there was enough room for all of them.

I painted it with two coats of black latex paint and used a stencil I have to add some interest with fun white triangles.

I put clips on all the tubes and marked where I wanted to place each nail. I hammered in each nail and it was done. I put the board on a table top easel to hold it upright. I keep it on my work table all the time so all my acrylic tubes are within reach.

PAINT BOTTLES

The other type of paint we end up with a gazillion of are bottles. From craft paints (in various sizes) to high quality acrylics in regular and fluid consistencies (also in various sizes). I decided to go to one of my all-time favorite stores, HomeGoods. Did I hear a "mmmmmm"? I know. It's a place that gives me so much inspiration and has great prices. I walked through, looking for a fun container for paint bottles. I found it in the kitchen section for $19.99, a three-tier wire basket stand.

The only thing that bothered me about it was that it didn't move, so I wasn't sure how I would get to the paint bottles on the back side. I wanted it to turn, so I found a 14" turntable here for $15. Now the whole thing spins and it's super easy to grab anything. I love it!

These two new items are my favorites! Now I'll show you how I've been storing my other things.

BRUSHES

Brushes are the one supply that I really like to keep organized. When I'm in the middle of a painting, I like to grab the right brush quickly. I use this six compartment basket that I've had for years. I keep my round brushes in one cube, my flat brushes in another, and everything else get shoved where it will fit.

I keep my foam and chip brushes in a hand-painted pottery mug that one of my kids made and my stencil brushes in another pottery piece that was here when we bought the house.

PENCILS

My colored pencils don't get used as much as my paint supplies, but I love to keep them out where I can see them because they are so colorful. I use simple jars for them (I also use jars to hold water when I'm painting).

I save containers like the ones below because I have lots of pencils and pens. I store my drawing pencils, charcoal, and nibs just like this in the top drawer of my work table. I don't use lids because I like to be able to open and grab.

STENCILS

My go-to pattern supply is stencils. I have several and love to have them near me. They are in these top two shelves of a rubbermaid drawer container. This shelf is right under my work table, so it's very easy to get to. I have my larger 12×12 stencils in the middle drawer and my smaller ones in the top. Easy access is key for me!

I hope you enjoyed the tour and got a couple of new tips to organize your art supplies! Let me know if you have any great ideas for other things. I love seeing how other people store their items!