5 Creative Art Supplies Organization Ideas for Kids!
Creating an organized art space for kids can feel like a daunting task—especially when you’re working with a small space and a lot of supplies. Paint brushes, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, paper scraps, and paint tubes have a way of multiplying overnight. The good news? With the right storage solutions, you can turn even a small corner into a creative space that encourages your child’s creative process while saving you time and frustration.
These 5 creative art supplies organization ideas for kids are practical, budget-friendly, and designed to keep supplies in easy reach for little hands. Whether you have a full craft room or just an art table tucked into the side of the living room, these ideas will help you store art supplies in the best way possible.
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Updated: 12/18/2025
1. Use Clear Containers for Small Items
One of the easiest ways to organize an art supply collection is by using clear containers. Being able to see what’s inside saves less time searching and helps kids quickly grab the right brush or color.
Clear storage containers work especially well for:
Googly eyes
Pipe cleaners
Spools of thread
Small paint tubes
Glue sticks
Paper scraps
Choose small containers in various sizes so each type of supply has its own home. Drawer organizers from The Container Store or Hobby Lobby are a great solution for keeping smaller items separated without mixing everything together.
Best part: kids can clean up independently because they know exactly where things go.
2. Create Vertical Storage with a Rolling Art Cart
If storage space is limited, vertical storage is your best friend. A rolling art cart is a perfect solution for home art studio storage solutions, especially in a small space.
Look for an art cart with:
Adjustable shelves
Clear bins or baskets
Enough height on each shelf for different types of supplies
Use the top shelf for frequently used items like paint brushes and markers, and lower shelves for bigger items or original packaging. The rolling cart can be moved next to an art station during craft time and rolled away when you need the space back.
This is one of the best ways to store art supplies without dedicating an entire room.
3. Mason Jars for Easy-Reach Tools
Mason jars are a great idea for organizing tools kids use often. They’re inexpensive, easy to find at a hardware store, and perfect for small containers on an art table or the side of the table.
Use wide-mouth mason jars for:
Paint brushes
Markers
Colored pencils
Scissors
Place them in a big basket or art caddy so they stay contained. For younger kids, keep jars on a lower shelf or provide a step stool so everything stays in easy access range.
This system is used by professional organizers and even prop stylists because it’s simple, functional, and visually appealing.
4. Build a Dedicated Art Station
My favorite art supplies organization ideas are having a designated art area, even a small corner, which makes a huge difference. An art station gives kids ownership over their creative space and helps keep supplies from spreading throughout the house.
Your art station can include:
A small art table
Storage containers underneath
Drawer organizers for smaller items
Clear containers for frequently used supplies
Store heavier items on the bottom shelf and lighter supplies on the top shelf. Keep high-quality storage systems simple so kids can focus on creating works of art, not searching for supplies.
This is a great way to encourage creativity while keeping everything organized in one place.
5. Sort Supplies by Type, Not Project
One of the best tips from a professional home organizer is to organize by type of supply instead of by project. Kids think in categories: paint, paper, glue, and not finished crafts.
Organize like this:
One bin for all paint
One bin for paper and sketchbooks
One bin for adhesives
One bin for natural material crafts
Use clear containers whenever possible and avoid keeping supplies in original packaging unless it truly helps. Sorting this way makes it easier to find what they need next time and supports a smoother creative process. My favorite part of organizing my children’s Art supplies is making labels. This label maker will design larger labels for all of your supplies.
Final Tips for Keeping Art Supplies Organized
Store frequently used items at kid height
Use vertical storage to maximize small spaces
Label containers with words or pictures
Rotate supplies every few months to avoid overwhelm
Link to previous posts with craft ideas to inspire use
The easiest way to maintain an organized art area is consistency. When supplies are easy to reach and easy to put away, kids spend less time searching and more time creating.
Final Thoughts
Organizing craft supplies doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few smart storage ideas, you can create a creative space that works for your family—even in a small space. These art supply storage ideas are designed to grow with your child, adapt to different needs, and support creativity for years to come.
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