Turning a tiny room into a Craft 'Studio' (aka The Cwtch Makeover)

Several days after telling you the Cwtch was getting a makeover, and it's pretty much done - there are just a few finishing touches to follow, and some newly exposed paintwork could do with a touch-up, but for now the bulk of it is finished! If you missed my earlier posts lamenting the general lack of space and organisation in this room, they can be summarised thus: I have a very small room for my crafting and lots of 'things' to store in it (i.e. yarn). I wanted to create a nicer place to work, and to have a home for everything I use regularly. Here's how I got on.


After careful measuring, I realised the biggest IKEA 'Kallax' unit (182 x 182 cm) would fit between the sofa and the doorway. With a lack of space to work in (and general ineptitude for assembling flat-packs) I paid for professional assembly and when the chap arrived he looked doubtful, but it does indeed fit with a few inches to spare. As the room is too narrow to stand opposite the shelving, and the sun has just gone in, I can only show you a bad picture, but you'll get the idea. 


The yarn is over-crowded at the moment as two cubes are filled with a single work-in-progress but that should be finished in the next few weeks, and will mean I can spread other things out a bit more. This is a tiny working space, and I don't expect it to ever look like a catalogue, but it's so nice to have everything easily accessible. It has already made a huge difference - seeing the yarns is quite inspiring - but the biggest improvement has to be my new desk

IKEA Micke desk and Mac Pro on Crafts from the Cwtch blog

The desk is long and narrow, and creates a lovely workspace under the window. When it's not overcast I get great light in this room - good for photographing tutorials (and tulips!). Two long drawers under the desk house notepads, knitting needles and notions, so they are all easy to access.

Knitting needles stored in IKEA Micke desk on Crafts from the Cwtch blog
Knitpro Symphonie* & Nova* Interchangeables, Addi Lace*, Neko needles, and ChiaoGoo DPNs & Twists*.
As the desk is over 140 cm long it is big enough for one of the children to sit alongside me. Little Miss was so excited that we could do some colouring together over the weekend.

Creativebug colouring class on Crafts from the Cwtch Blog
Colouring pages by Lisa Congdon on Creativebug**, pencils from Muji.
There was another nice surprise too - removing the old shelf unit created space for my 'model' Polly*, who now has a dedicated home with a plain wall behind her. This means I can take pictures without chasing light around the house - something that has been a real problem when photographing designs and finished projects.  In photos, you won't be able to see that she's in the corner of a tiny room, but I've included a wider shot below to keep it real!

Polly wears 'Whippoorwill' by Carina Spencer, in Kauni yarn - read more about this 'famous' project here.
There is one thing that hasn't changed - my Schnauzer companion has kept the old sofa (although I'd really like a new one), complete with the sunny spot. He seems to like that exactly as it is. 


It's amazing how much difference a couple of pieces of furniture have made. I'll keep you posted with further changes.

*Affiliate links are indicated with an asterisk. 
**CREATIVEBUG: Sign up for a free trial and get access to all Creativebug classes, including colouring classes and printouts. 

14 comments

  1. Nice! Good luck and many many creative hours in your craft's room. Regula

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  2. Darn, I need a dummy like that too.

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    1. It was a top investment! Get one (for all the garments you will be designing) !!!!

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  3. Your room is so lovely and cosy! I think it is great how much you have managed to achieve with such a small space. I would love a dedicated craft space, I dream of the day when I no longer have to shove things wherever I can fit them after crochet/sewing/knitting!

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    1. Thank you Emma! I have certainly tried to make the most of the space and it does feel very different - bright and inspiring. "Shoving things" has been my MO for the last 5 years, it really was time to sort it out - I hope you don't have to wait too long for a dedicated space.

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  4. I have a baby version of this unit (formerly known as Expedit!) Mine is 4x4 and rammed full of stuff. I was inspired by your last post and spent 6 hours sorting my room of doom (craft/guest room) and I discovered a bed in there!!!! I've ordered 8 cubes to store yarn in as the sun light streams on the unit so once they've been delivered I can finish the grand sort out. Oh and I took photos (oh the shame!) so I can do a before and after story! Your room looks fab :-)

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    1. Oh Maria, you do make me laugh! :D can't wait to see your room of doom transformation!!!!! Xxx

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  5. Wow, this room looks great, Sarah! I have a similar IKEA unit in my living room, 2x4. At first all of them were filled with yarn but since my boyfriend moved in I had to give up 1 for his XBOX controllers and guitar stuff. :P xo

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    1. Thanks Carmen! As for giving up a box of yarn - I just hope he's worth it! ;)
      xxxx

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  6. I feel like I could do with a room plan! I can't picture how it all fits at all. We have a small "office" about 6" x 7" and it's where we bunged stuff in when we moved. I have a chair sized space in the middle where I can sit at the pc (I'm there right now!) I'd love to think of a better use of the space/get some decent storage in here - though I don't think a sofa is going to fit :-(

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    1. Oh a room plan! Julia, why didn't I think of that!?! You're a genius!

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  7. Wow! It's amazing to see how lovely your space is and I'll bet it feels wonderful to have everything just so. We are moving from a big house to a very small one and I am trying so hard to keep in mind how much better I'll feel if I don't take all the stuff! (In the abstract, this is a no-brainer, but in the specific and concrete, not so easy to do)

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    1. Hi Amy, Thanks for your comment and yes - it feels so nice!

      A few years ago my mum moved from a bigger house to a very small (bijou!) flat, and she let SO much go... and then a few months later she realised that she still didn't need all the things she had taken and let even more go - I think it was quite revolutionary for her. I think it feels hard at the time, but is totally worth it. Good luck with the move!

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