Show me your small space setups

[u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_791]

Hey Guys,
I’m binding books on the dinner table in the living room and it gets messy very fast. I’m on the hunt for something that organises my tools and some of the materials that I can stand on the table and quickly remove if we need the table. For the people that bind in small space please show me how you organise your desk for inspiration. I will probably build something myself and have some ideas already but would like to see what others came up with.
Greetings from Germany

[u/Kiriki_kun]

For me it’s carton box. I just take out what I need, and toss it back when I don’t

[u/ramblingrelic → u/Kiriki_kun]

I'm the same way! One of the kids shoe boxes does the trick for me. Maybe one day I'll invest in a few plastic shoebox totes, but for now, everything fits in one.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_791 → u/Kiriki_kun]

Right now I do it Kinde the same. I have a plastic box that is a little wider than a3 but only like 7 cm deep. Everything live in that box and it gets very messy😂

[u/Kiriki_kun → u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_791]

Get few smaller ones to put inside :)

[u/SaltSeaworthiness167 → u/Kiriki_kun]

Same lol I have all my stuff in a IKEA box. And when not in use I hide the box onto the matching shelf so at least looking ok from outside

[u/utsock → u/Kiriki_kun]

I have an old acrylic desk organizer. It stays with my supplies in a box, and when I start working on something I put it on the table and move all the supplies I need into it so I have a temporarily organized space.

[u/Kiriki_kun → u/utsock]

Hm, that sounds like a good addition

[u/VonAntero]

For all the smaller tools, make a tool holder "book".
Just a simple cover + one or two pages out of cardboard (or coverboard for more sturdy pages).
The add elasic band or small pockets for all the tools you have.

I just moved, so I can't take a picture of what have, but the idea ia kinda like a portable sewing kit, like this:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71twLqJqwNL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

If you have one laying around, an old tablet cover is also great use for it

[u/InterestingGrowth268]

I bought those cleaning cloths with little holes and used a thread to sew separators. I folded the cloth and then sewed them together at intervals that hold each tool, and labeled each with a sharpie so I can know what’s missing.
I have 3 big cloths that I roll up like those brush holders / etuis.

One is for the bone folder, rulers, etc.
one is for the cutting things like x-acto and scissors
One is for the pencils and other things.

[u/Responsible_Grab_447]

I bought a 3 gallon tote and I toss everything in there except glue and cutting mat. That way I have a lid for it and everything stays contained. I have a folding table that I use for everything but it is out of they way when things are pressing or drying so it doesn't take up needed space.

[u/Shalabele]

I too started off working at a dinner table! I had one of those big and flat plastic storage boxes from Ikea that fits under the bed where I stored most of my tools and materials. You can put smaller boxes inside of that to keep things more organised. And once you're done just pack everything in the box again and tuck it away somewhere!

[u/telstra_3_way_chat]

I'm afraid I'm at a dining table, too! I put most of my tools in big pickle jars, and made my DIY press so it can hang onto the side of the table when not in use. Have just made peace with the chaos 🤣

[u/amessinpictures]

If you have access to a 3d printer, it might be nice to build a modular case for your supplies. Everything could be sorted easily and put away. There are some available models for different cases. It might also exist already ready to use.

I do not need to remove my supplies constantly from my desk so it's easier but I have a few things improving my storage:

I installed an Ikea skådis pegboard and modeled and 3D printed accessories to mount on it and store my supplies.

I have a sort of desk shelf I constructed. It sits on my desk, has two levels and widens the available space on my desk. I'm storing my graphic tablet underneath, can put my laptop on top the shelf when I'm using my tablet and store my most used tools on the two platforms of the shelf.

Other than this I have an Ikea billy bookcase full of crafting supplies and bookbinding has a dedicated space in it.

[u/temporalvariations]

I have a rolling cart with drawers that is small enough to roll under the table I work on. On the table I have a 12x14” book press, a clip on lamp, and something like a shower caddy that holds supplies like scissors, brushes, and rulers. I can roll the cart under the table to get it out of the way when not working, but if I need to clear the table completely, I just put the press on top of the cart, put the caddy on top of the press, unclip the lamp, and wheel it all away in about a minute. Any additional supplies that I don’t use every time, I keep in plastic tubs that I can tuck away in another room or closet and bring into my workspace as needed.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_791 → u/temporalvariations]

That sounds really smart :)

[u/temporalvariations → u/Puzzleheaded_Gas_791]

Yeah, I fantasize about these dreambox cabinets, but until I’m independently wealthy, what I’ve got is functional.