Sewing room makeover clears clutter problem, adds organization and efficiency

Doors were removed from the rooms former closet, far right, so that a custom shelving unit could be installed inside the space. The new shelves sit upon the base of a china cabinet, which was painted to match. A dining room table was repurposed into use as a cutting table in front of the window. Woven baskets and wooden boxes fill the closet unit and the freestanding shelving, at left, to organize and hide clutter.

Drawers of the former china cabinet base, now the bottom of a built-in storage unit, hold thread, scissors and other sewing notions.

For six years, Vickie Mason used a small guest bedroom in her Ringgold, Ga., home as her sewing room. But with the only storage space being a closet with one hanging rod, the avid quilter and seamstress says growing piles of fabrics, patterns and other sewing notions began to turn her work area into "a stacked mess."

So she led interior decorator Margie Burgin into the room and commissioned a makeover.

"This looks like a mess," Mason told her friend. "I want organization. I want a cute place to sew."

When not working at NHC Healthcare in Fort Oglethorpe, where she is a physical therapist, Mason spends anywhere from four to 12 hours a week sewing or quilting. She began sewing in junior high school and has been quilting for 15 years.

"I made all my own clothes, made all my children's clothes until they reached the age they didn't want to wear clothes their mom made anymore. Then I started quilting, but I've started making clothes for girls again since my grandchildren were born," she says.

With the focus of the makeover to increase storage and organize the craft room, Burgin began the redesign by installing two built-in shelving units. By rearranging and repurposing furniture, she also opened up floor space so the 10- by 11-foot room feels more spacious and open.

Here's the pattern for this sewing room makeover. Their ideas could easily be replicated in any craft room.

First, Mason and Burgin kept the room's original khaki-colored walls and taupe carpeting. Not only was the wall color easy on the eyes for any length of time, the neutral shade didn't clash with the myriad colors of fabrics Mason used in her hobby. To further enhance the khaki color, the pair mounted one of Mason's large quilts in earth tones as a wall hanging.

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Sewing room makeover clears clutter problem, adds organization and efficiency