Spring has sprung, and it’s time to get the petite guest room organized. For most small-space dwellers, a spare room adopts multiple personalities by necessity. This room needs to be a cozy retreat for out-of-town guests, while it stores an extensive fabric and paper collection. Throw an array of tools and art supplies into the mix, and the bedroom starts to look like a storage locker.

Embrace Open Storage Solutions

Closet and under bed storage is already filled to capacity so some  tools, like large levels and even a handsaw, have to be displayed out in the open.  Keeping tools hanging on the sides a metal file cabinet was a quick and handy solution; now the challenge was how to make this look good.

Chalkboard Paint Keeps Tools Organized

Taking a style cue from Julia Child and her genius peg board pot and kitchen organizer, I painted the sides of my file cabinet with chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint and I go back a long way, starting at the front door of my New York City apartment. It is not a novel design idea, but it never fails to become a focal point. Instead of going with utilitarian black,  I kept things light with Martha Stewart’s chalkboard paint in gray–taupe. Try creating a stylish border with scallop painter’s tape. Finally, my hanging tools are displayed more like a collection than clutter.

Tip

Organize craft tool drawers for less with Dollar Tree glass canisters. White chalkboard pens keep canisters labeled so nails, upholstery tacks and staples stay corralled and easy to find.