“My theory on kids and creativity is that they will only use what is easily accessible to them and organized in a way that they can work with,” says parent Karen Siegal. “Likewise, they’ll only put stuff away if it’s easy.” To test her theories, she and her daughters, 9 and 14, transformed a room near their kitchen into a space dedicated to crafts and creativity.

Karen, who is big on keeping things neat and on making things instead of buying them, started by making a list of all the activities that would take place in the room. She then figured out a place to do each of them and store all the materials involved. There are open bins for different kinds of paper, and drawers for pencils, pens, markers, and other tools. Glass-door cabinets, which were original to the house, also make finding material a snap.

For a whimsical décor, countertops are lime green with purple and orange accents. A purple floor and turquoise ceiling add to the lightheartedness. For a family project, they covered a slab of cork with colorful fabric and screwed it to a frame so the fabric can be easily changed. A chandelier that once hung in the dining room became an amusingly over-the-top finishing touch. The work island is topped in black slate for drawing with chalk and easy clean up.

The resulting crafts room is used for small projects, such as gift wrapping, and large endeavors, including school projects that can take weeks. Such versatility is a hit. “I don’t find myself out at 10 on a Tuesday night looking for colored string or feathers anymore,” Karen says. “Whenever I find stuff now, I just buy some and shove it in the cabinets. Someone will do something with it.”

Storage secrets for kids rooms • Decide how the room will be used, and divide it accordingly. Spaces for sleep, play, and homework should be kept separate, well-delineated by layout and furniture. • Buy plenty of clear bins. Whether you store them in your child’s closet, the attic, or the basement, clear bins are the best substitute for built-ins, holding everything from artwork to old clothes. • Put up shelves instead of a wallpaper border. Placed about a foot beneath the ceiling, narrow shelving can store books, toys, projects, or collectibles. • Catch underbed clutter in rolling drawers. Old dresser drawers will work—just add paint and casters. • Recess narrow shelves between wall studs. This works especially well above a desk, making space for books, craft tools, and other supplies. If shelves won’t work, try an old school locker. • Don’t underestimate the power of a desk. A desk with filing cabinets on either side and bookshelves from floor-to-ceiling can be built into one unit. Place it near a window and a child will want to sit there. • Cabinet doors with panels made of glass or clear plastic make it easier for everyone to find what they are looking for. • Install closet rods at kid height and teach children how to hang up their own clothes.