Smart Cricut Storage Ideas for Every & Any Craft Space
Whether you are just getting started with a Cricut machine or are well on your way to being a Cricut expert, there’s one thing you likely learned pretty quickly: having a Cricut involves owning a lot of stuff! While theoretically all you need to make a Cricut project is your machine, a mat, and something to cut, there are now a plethora of accessories, materials, and tools to expand your machine’s capabilities infinitely. And storing all that stuff can be pretty tricky! Today I’m rounding up my favorite Cricut storage solutions that can implemented in any space, big or small!
Where to Set Up Your Cricut Machine
Before I get into really specific Cricut storage ideas, let’s first chat quickly about setting up some sort of dedicated Cricut space in your home. Whether you craft a lot or a little, I can say…with certainty…that you will be much more likely to use your Cricut machine if you actually get it out of the box and keep it out.
Unboxing (and then re-boxing) the machine for every little project will become a nuisance, and I’m pretty sure you don’t want to leave it sitting on your kitchen table all the time. So I challenge you to find a spot, no matter how small, to dedicate to your Cricut machine and its supplies. Here are some great setups to consider…
A Rolling Cart
Using some sort of rolling cart is a popular and inexpensive solution for Cricut storage. Most rolling carts are now sized to hold a Cricut machine comfortably, and the additional shelves and basket attachments are a great place for accessories and materials. Best of all, carts can be rolled away (into a closet, under a table/counter, into a laundry room) and easily pulled out when needed!
Need some stylish craft cart inspiration? Here are a few of my favs:
And here are a bunch of great cart options that comfortably support a Cricut machine:
- Rolling Cart with Colorful Drawers
- Rolling Storage Cart with Tray by Recollections
- 3-Tier Wood & Metal Cart
- Steel Frame Craft Cart
- Rolling Printer Stand with Open Storage Shelf
- White Heavy Duty Utility Cart
- Folding Utility Cart
- Honey-Do Rolling Craft Cart
Baskets
One of the best things about the Cricut Joy is its compact size. This allows you to store not just the machine but all its equally compact accessories into a standard bin or basket (that can then slide into a cabinet or on a shelf).
Totes
If you don’t craft often, using a Cricut storage tote can be a happy medium between the original box and out on display. These luggage-like solutions will keep your machine protected and out of sight, but they have pockets and compartments to hold additional accessories and tend to be easier to get the machines in and out of.
Counter or Desk
My personal preference is to set up a Cricut machine on a countertop or desk-like surface that has drawer and cabinet storage underneath. The counter provides ample room to run the machine and assemble projects, while the drawer/cabinet combination below gives lots of space for materials and accessories. Not only does this make your crafting more efficient, but also prevents items from being dragged around the house.
Not sure where you could carve out this kind of arrangement? Look to laundry rooms, offices, basements, or bonus rooms.
A Closet
You might not be able to dedicate a whole room to your Cricut hobby, but how about an entire closet? Outfitted with shelves, behind-the-door organizers, and maybe even a floating desk, you just might be able to carve out storage AND crafting space together!
Need some inspiration? Check out these amazing craft closets:
Shelving System
As your craft collection grows, a shelf system might be needed to corral your supplies. While there are lots of options available, I personally find the IKEA Kallax System excellent for Cricut supplies.
Although the longer Cricut machines (e.g., Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Maker) can only go along the top surface, other items such as the Mug Press, EasyPresses, and other large accessories fit comfortably into the cubbies. Additionally, there are now lots of Kallax accessories (e.g., bins, drawers, shelves, doors) that allow you to store smaller Cricut accessories too!
Whether you use a floor-standing or wall-mounted shelf for storing your Cricut machine(s), keep in mind that this arrangement will require you to pull your machine down and put it back up every time you make a project. Additionally, be sure you pick a shelf that is strong and secure since some machines are quite heavy (i.e., the Cricut Maker).
A Craft Room
If you’re heavy crafter and have a full room dedicated to your various hobbies, consider assigning a specific corner, series of shelves, or desk to your Cricut machine and accessories. Creating different workstations for each hobby you do (e.g., Cricut, sewing, etc) will help you be more efficient, rather than having supplies spread across a space.
Tour this full craft room: Our VA Office/Craft Room Reveal
How to Store Heat Presses
I should point out that all the storage solutions outlined above for machines (e.g., open shelves, totes, carts, etc) also apply to any Heat Presses you own too. Just like having your cutting machine out of the box, having your Cricut EasyPress (or Mug Press or Hat Press) out and accessible will make it much easier to use. I have my presses on open shelving, but here is a great example of a Heat Press cart.
How to Store Cricut Blades & Housings
Cricut now makes a wide variety of blades to go in their machines. Not only are these various housings small (and therefor easy to loose), but some of them can be quite sharp (and therefor dangerous to be left lying around). Here are some easy (and safe!) ways to store your Cricut blades so you can find them when you need them!
In Your Machine
There are several storage spots built into your Cricut machine, ideal for blades and housings. Depending on which machine(s) you have, you can either place blades under the bottom tray (just lift open the tray door) or use the side cup. These options are ideal when you just have two or three extra housings to store. If you need a bit more organization in this area, I love this in-tray organizer!
Organizers
There are now lots and lots of non-Cricut branded options for storing blades, including caddies, boxes, and trays. For years, I used a simple Bead Box from the jewelry aisle at Michaels, but there are some great commercial options available too!
Cricut Tool Organizer
Cricut now makes its own Tool Organizer to hold blades, housings, and tips. I love the compactness of this holder and keep it right next to my Cricut machine for easy swapping mid-project.
How to Store Cricut Pens & Tools
Depending on the types of Cricut crafts you do, you may find that you use pens and tools a ton or not much at all. So based on how much you use these accessories and how accessible you need them, here are some storage solutions to consider:
In Your Machine
Just like blades, pens and tools are compact enough to be stored either in the compartment beneath the front tray or in the side cup. These are excellent solutions if your collection is minimal.
Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers (ideally in a dedicated Cricut drawer!) are an excellent option for storing most tools, pens, and markers since they tend to be long and flat. This is how I personally store my Cricut accessories, and you can read all about this arrangement here: How to Customize Drawers with Off-the-Shelf Organizers
On the Wall
If you’re short on drawer space but have a big open wall, consider using it for your Cricut storage. Pegboards and similar wall-mounted systems can accommodate almost everything from tools and pens to materials and blades!
Need some inspiration? Check out these gorgeous Cricut peg board setups:
Zipper Pouches
If you like to keep your tools mostly tucked away on shelves or within baskets, consider loading tools and pens into zipper pouches. This strategy will keep them from becoming disorderly within larger baskets, and pouches are easy to separate based on type (e.g., Infusible Ink Markers versus Fine Point Pens versus Cricut Joy Pens).
Cups & Caddies
Open cups or compartmentalized caddies setup right on a work surface or table also keep pens and tools easy to grab and easy to put away when project time is over. Here are a few I love:
How to Store Cricut Mats
On Hooks
Even if your specific Cricut machine cuts “mat-less,” you likely still need to keep a few cutting mats nearby. I personally find that wherever you store your Cricut machine (counter, cabinets, cart), a nearby peel-and-stick hook is the perfect way to keep your mats handy too. Hooks can be attached directly to shelves, edges of desks, carts…anywhere! See my comprehensive hanging guide: The Best (& Easiest) Way to Store Cricut Mats
I personally don’t bother sorting my mats by color (because it’s simple enough to pull out the one I need), but I do like to keep the 12″ and 24″ versions on different Command Hooks.
If you do have lots of mats of different shapes, sizes, and functions, creating an entire Mat Storage Wall can be a serious time-saving solution! See more: The Best (& Easiest) Way to Store Cricut Mats
Clothing Hangers
If Command Hooks aren’t quite the solution for you, I’ve also seen cutting mats stored by various clothes hanging solutions, specifically a tiered skirt hanger and this retractable drying rack with clips!
How to Store Cricut Materials
Admittedly, storing the various Cricut pens, tools, and blades is fairly easy thanks to their compact size. But where things get tougher is when you start accumulating lots of materials for your projects (e.g., vinyl, paper, etc). The right solution will very much depend on the types of projects you do, the space you have, and the size of your stash, but here are my favorite way to handle each item:
Vinyl & Iron-On
Because vinyl comes on the roll, it can get unwieldy really fast. My favorite solution is to ditch the cardboard tubes, re-roll the vinyl into tighter tubes, and then load them into baskets by type. You can read more details about this solution and get some additional vinyl storage ideas here: How to Store Vinyl Rolls.
Smart Vinyl. Smart Vinyl is a little trickier to store since the rolls of vinyl are a bit longer and/or taller. My Smart Vinyl is the only vinyl I keep in original boxes since they stack so nicely on cubby shelves, inside baskets, or even loaded into the IKEA Wine Rack!
Paper
Scrapbook Paper. I prefer to keep my scrapbook papers sorted into vertical organizers by color. This keeps them tidy in a very compact space while also making individual sheets easy to get in and out. You can read more details about this solution and get some additional paper organization ideas here: How to Organize Crafting Papers.
Another alternative is to store paper in 12×12″ paper storage boxes, which are ideal for placing inside cubby shelving! See more: How to (Affordably) Store Craft Paper on IKEA Kallax Shelves
Paper Scraps. Paper scraps can be tricky to organize so that they are both tidy and usable. My color-coded document boxes keep my collection in check while also storing these tiny papers on an open cubby shelf. You can read more details about this solution and get some additional paper scrap ideas here: How to Store Paper Scraps.
Printable Papers. For any papers that go through my printer before being cut with my Cricut machine (e.g., Sticker Paper, Printable Vinyl, Magnet Paper, etc), I store them in plastic document cases that can also stack or stand upright on open shelving.
Iris Slim Plastic Document Boxes
Card Making Supplies. If you’ve gotten into making cards with your Cricut using the awesome Card Mat, you also might have accumulated quite the select of card packs that contain the cards, the inserts, and the envelops. To save time fighting with the packaging and better see what you have, consider de-boxing each set and storing everything together. I like to store my completed cards and the various components in a dedicated box with dividers to indicate what is where! See More: How to Make a Card Organizer.
Infusible Ink
I almost always take items out of their original packing, but that’s not the case with Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets. Not only is it much easier to tell what you have by the prints shown on the boxes, but the Transfer Sheets can be damaged by sunlight. Thankfully, the square boxes make them easy to stack on shelves, in cubbies, inside drawers, or in open baskets.
Whether you have a lot of space or a little…a ton of supplies or just a few…I hope these Cricut storage solutions give you lots of ideas for the best and most practical ways to organize your stash. By considering how you craft alongside the various storage systems available on the market, you’ll be able to keep everything tidy but still ready and accessible for your next project!
Megan
4 Comments on “Smart Cricut Storage Ideas for Every & Any Craft Space”
Do you have a link to the first rolling cart pic you showed at the beginning of the post?
Hi Emily!
Unfortunately, that’s an IKEA cart I scored on clearance ages ago. I actually haven’t seen it in their stores in quite some time; and a quick look at their website doesn’t show any similar options.
Sorry I don’t have a better answer here!Megan
You could also check Michaels!
Hi, do you have any suggestions for how to make vinyl cuts ahead of when needing to press and how those should be properly stored? I am trying to determine if I should apply transfer tape right away, but keep the backing or pre-cut and add transfer tape when ready to press.
thanks!