Scrapbooking has become a popular hobby for many people in recent years. Anyone who has ever taken on this challenge knows the options are endless regarding the paper types available.
So, what types of storage are available for so many options, and how can you organize it all, keeping your space free from clutter and your items in an easy-to-find space?
Let’s take a look.
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Where to Store Your Scrapbook Paper
It is always easier to find things when each item has its place. This is especially true for big projects and crafts such as scrapbooking. Below is a list of ten ways to store your scrapbook paper functionally and straightforwardly.
Tote bags
Purchase a small tote that will hold average-sized folders or hang folders comfortably. Then add a folder for each different type of paper you want separated.
This is a great way to keep things neatly sorted and provides easy transport for scrapbook night with the girls or moving from one room to the next.
Filing Cabinet
Upcycle an un-sed filing cabinet and use it to keep your crafting supplies organized. You can use a hanging folder to separate your papers, pictures, and stencils, keeping everything in a small and systemic way.
Cubby
Purchase a cubby or make one yourself. These will look similar to teacher cubbies often seen in classrooms or the school office. It is a sizable box-like shelf that is split up into multiple sections, where you can slide your papers in, keeping each design and pattern in its place.
Door Depository
If you are trying to keep your supplies out of the way and out of sight. Try taping folders in a vertical line, down the inside of a closet or cupboard door. This will provide you with easy-to-see options that won’t take up space.
Book Shelves and Binders
Many crafters have found that bookshelves make a great way to keep papers organized and orderly. Purchase a bunch of binders and use each one for a different type of paper; separate these binders by size, color, or designs.
Zip-Loc Storage Bags
You do not need a ton of money or exquisite storage bins to keep your scrapbook station looking neat and put together. You can utilize large Ziploc storage bags to separate your cardstock, hang them from large clips, or place them in a wicker basket.
Plastic Rolling Storage Bins
Take a trip to your local department store and pick up a rolling plastic storage drawer set. These are often plastic dresser-like containers with multiple, thin, pullout drawers stacked vertically.
You can easily label each one by storing specific options in every drawer.
Wire Racks
You can purchase wire racks from the store or online, or you can use wired cooking racks and stack them on top of each other, creating separate compartments for your scrapbook paper.
These make quick, simple, and versatile storage.
Repurpose an Old Dresser
You can repurpose dressers to make an entire scrapbook center. Use each drawer for different items needed for the craft. Smaller drawers can be used for tools and smaller pieces, with the larger drawers sectioned off and holding multiple folders containing various types of paper.
Expand Your Organization With an Accordion Folder
Accordion folders are fabulous for organizing any paper product, making it easy to keep all of your items in one place while still having separate sections for them all. Use this binder with note tags to make it even easier to locate what you are looking for in seconds.
How to Organize Scrapbook Paper
Once you have found the storage option that works best for your space, you will need to organize your papers. Organize it in a way that will help you keep your things easy to find and makes sense.
The most popular categories used when separating scrapbook papers include:
- Colors– Separate your paper by each color. You can keep all the colors totally separated or keep them in categories. All types of blues with blues, or a folder for light blue and a folder for dark blues.
- Shapes– Most scrapbookers will keep their shape papers all in the same place. However, if you are super-specific, you can store them by each shape, separating the sections with folder tabs.
- Food– Throw all your food pages into one folder or separate them by category: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages, etc.
- Borders-Scrapbookers love borders, so keep these pages separate from the rest even if they have specific shapes or colors.
- Vintage– Vintage papers make unique and rustic scrapbook pages. Keep these antique options in one place.
- Stripes/spots– Like on clothing, stripes and spots never go well together, so keep them separate when organizing your paper.
- Animals– There are many ways to separate animal pages. Whether you organize them by print, breed, species, or toss them all into a folder at one time, you want them separated from the other options.
- Shimmer or metallic– There are tons of metallic, shiny, or glimmery paper options for scrapbooking. Keep these together for quick and easy access.
It would be best to consider storing your papers by size, thus making it quick and simple when working on each page.
Ways to Store Used Scrap Paper
If you are at all familiar with the art of scrapbooking, then you already know there is never a good reason to toss out your cut or access scrap papers. Even the smallest piece of scrap can be used at some point, whether it’s on the project at hand or an entirely new scrapbook at another point in the future.
There are quite a few storage options for saving these little scraps.
Purchase Pencil Boxes
Pencil boxes come in tons of different colors and sizes. Purchase many durable, plastic pencil boxes and use them to toss in all of your little scraps.
Re-Use That Old Shoe Box
Shoe boxes make great containers and are often saved by many people for that reason. You can decorate these boxes to make them look however you like, then place extra small pieces of scrapbook paper inside.
Plastic Snack Containers
You can often find small, clear snack containers at the dollar store or for relatively cheap at any department store. These containers are great for scrap pieces because they are easy to see through when looking for specific scaps.
Craft Cabinets
You can usually find craft cabinets in craft stores or hardware shops. These are typically used to separate small tools, screws, bolts, etc., but also make nifty scrap holders, giving you easy access to all your paper needs.
Empty Coffee Cans
Anything that is plastic and comes with a lid should never be discarded. These items are fantastic for storage containers and would work great with scrapbook crafting supplies and paper pieces.
Mason Jars
Mason jars are another great option that can be used for just about any occasion. You can label the outside of these jars using chalk paint, tape, or a label gun, and they are easy to look inside to see what pieces are available.
Photo Containers
Rigid plastic photo containers are great for loading up with scrapbook pieces and can be stacked up in an organized and spacious fashion, making your scrapbooking space clean and functional.
Innovate Your Empty Cereal Boxes
Yes, that’s right, cereal boxes. Use empty cereal boxes as storage containers in your crafting room. These cardboard box options provide plenty of space for pieces of scrap paper and can be decorated any way you like.
Tips For Organizing And Storing Scrapbook Paper
The main reason for dedicating a specific station just for your scrapbook paper is to keep things organized and easy to find. The best way to do this is by making sure things are labeled and within reach.
Create a space where you can see each option easily or at least have access to each tab at a glance, avoiding the annoying search for the right page problem.
You also want your craft paper stored in a container that is easy to access. If your paper is squished under other objects, stuffed into drawers, or piled up on a shelf, it is going to be challenging to grab what you are looking for without making a mess.
Lastly, choose a method that will work for you. There are tons of different options, but each space, project, and personality is different, so one storage setup won’t work for everyone.
Summary: How to store and organize scrapbook paper
Scrapbooking is meant to be a fun, creative, and even relaxing way to spend your time. Never let the lack of organization or constantly searching for the correct page frustrate you during these projects. Choose from one of the great storage options to keep your space systematic.
You can store scrapbook paper with:
- Totes
- Filing cabinets
- Cubbies
- Door depository system
- Book Shelves and Binders
- Ziploc bags
- Plastic storage bins
- Wire racks
- Dressers
- Accordion folders
Organize your scrapbook paper by:
- Colors
- Shapes
- Food
- Boarders
- Vintage
- Stripes or Spots
- Animals
- Shimmer or Metalic
Used scrapbook paper can be stored in:
- Pencil boxes
- Shoeboxes
- Snack containers
- Craft cabinets
- Coffee cans
- Mason jars
- Photo containers
- Cereal boxes
At the end of the day, just keep it simple and find a means that works for you.