It’s rare for my workspace to be clean and organized, but I’ve been working (slowly) to get it there. Like most people, I’m often pulled in different directions—client work, personal projects, and, let’s be honest, a lack of enthusiasm for organizing. But leaving the mess unchecked only adds to my stress.
One of the biggest hurdles for me is my desire to solve the problem perfectly the first time. Whether it’s organizing my studio, hanging pictures at home, or picking a paint color, I want to make the right choice so I never have to revisit it. But I’m learning that this approach is both impractical and paralyzing. Sometimes it’s better to make progress—however imperfect—than to let things pile up. Fighting against that instinct isn’t easy, but I’m trying to give myself a little grace (a lesson that’s taken me 45+ years to start learning).
My workspace has been a work-in-progress since we moved in. Once a garage, we fully enclosed it two years ago. It’s not fully finished—there’s missing drywall and trim—but it’s functional and, more importantly, mine. Like most creative folks, I’ve accumulated an eclectic mix of books, paper, artwork, supplies, fabric, and even the occasional saved item, like a jar of broken glass I found in my backyard. I kept those pieces thinking I might make something from them. (The plight of the resourceful, right?)
After rediscovering the jar of broken glass, I spent a while Googling how to make sea glass, researching rock tumblers, and watching endless tutorials, I finally realized: this isn’t my medium. So, out went the glass shards I had been hoarding. For me, this felt like real progress—letting go of things that don’t serve me anymore, whether physically or mentally.
Much of my day-to-day work involves digital tools—primarily an iPad, laptop, and Wacom tablet, for projects like illustrated maps and editorial illustrations. These items don’t take up much space, but I also enjoy working with acrylic, gouache, and colored pencil. I collect picture books and design references, have magazine subscriptions, and produce my own goods, so keeping my studio functional requires thoughtful storage solutions. The trick for me has been to tackle the chaos gradually, in manageable chunks, and reassess as I go.
After months of off-and-on effort, I finally have a space that feels organized, inspiring, and, dare I say, calming. It’s incredible how freeing it feels to clear both the physical and mental clutter. Of course, the real challenge will be keeping it this way, but for now, I’m celebrating this small victory.
To mark the occasion, I documented some of my favorite corners and collections and even posted a reel on social media. I’m also sharing a few of those snapshots along with links to some tools and items that have helped me bring order to my chaos. I hope they inspire you to tackle your own space—one step at a time.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE STORAGE & ORGANIZATION FINDS
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DESKTOP STORAGE: These are great! They are stackable and can be used in drawers. Great quality, too. They come in a variety of sizes.
PAPER STORAGE: This is another little holder of small things. I use mine on a small shelf, but they are designed for drawers.
DRAWER STORAGE: This is another little holder of small things. I use mine on a small shelf, but they are designed for drawers.
KEYBOARD TRAY: This is another little holder of small things. I use mine on a small shelf, but they are designed for drawers.
SHELF HOOKS: I can never get enough hooks. I have a set of these that slides on the shelf of my bookcase that allows me to store washi tape across a dowel rod. A great space saver and makes the tape easily accessible.
STORAGE BOX: These paper IKEA boxes are great for holding clutter. They are affordable and fit easily onto the Billy Bookcase.
MAGAZINE FILE: These magazine holders are also made of chipboard and certainly hold magazines, but I also use them to neatly store printed samples of client work.
BILLY BOOKCASE: The Billy Bookcase system is versatile. I have four of these along a wall in my studio and they work well, but they come in a variety of sizes. I like the sleek look, too!
IVAR SYSTEM: The IVAR system is one of my favorite collections from IKEA. It’s very versatile. I have two of these cabinets where I store art supplies and shipping materials. (I also use them in my kitchen and a bedroom closet). They can be painted, though I like the natural wood look for my space. These are real wood and well made.
