Are you looking for 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas? Do you have a huge, unorganized stash of craft papers? Is it difficult to find what you need for your projects? These scrapbook paper storage ideas are just what you need to get your collection organized and protected once and for all.
Storing and organizing your papers make it easier to find what you need. It’ll help protect the pages and will look visually appealing, too. But don’t worry—you don’t need a dedicated craft room.
We have plenty of 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas for easy access to your pretty paper no matter the size of your crafting space.
We’ll cover tips for organizing your scrapbook paper by size, color, pattern, season, etc. as well as ideas for vertical and horizontal paper storage. We’ll also tackle portable paper storage solutions. Finally, get inspired by fellow crafters by seeing how they’ve stored craft papers in their own spaces.
Recently, we wrote an article on 45+ Genius Craft Room Storage Ideas and created FREE printable craft room organizing labels to help you organize your craft space. From that article I received a lot of comments asking for more paper storage ideas. It was by far your biggest pain point in your craft rooms & corners. So this week we’re sharing tons of ideas to help you creat your dream paper storage solution!
Why you need a 12 x 12 paper storage solution ASAP?
Whether you’re a scrapbooker, card maker, or simply a fan of pretty paper, a 12 x 12 scrapbook paper storage solution is an essential part of any crafter’s toolkit. The perfect paper storage system is beneficial in several ways:
- For protecting the paper from bends and wrinkles: There’s nothing worse than finding a bent corner or a wrinkle in the middle of the design or color you plan on using.
- To easily find what you need at a glance: If you’ve ever found yourself shuffling through stacks of paper to find what you need, you know how frustrating this can be. A proper organization system prevents this. A visual system will help you find the perfect piece of paper in a snap.
- Avoid repeat purchases: Never make an “oops” purchase of something you already have again!
- Expand storage as collection grows: As you invest more in your hobby, you can easily expand your storage system if you get it right from the start. I’ll show you how to do just that!
What is the best way to store scrapbook paper?
The best way to store your scrapbook paper is in a way that makes sense to you. It also depends on the size of your collection and the amount of space you have. Some prefer a horizontal storage system with paper lying flat while others prefer a vertical system with papers stored in an upright position.
Scrapbook paper should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place. Humidity can cause the paper to warp or mildew, so it is best to avoid storing it in areas such as attics or basements. Direct sunlight should also be avoided, as it causes discoloration.
Should paper be stored flat?
Storing your paper flat is a great idea, particularly if you have room for some furniture dedicated to crafting, such as shelving units, cubbies, or desks. Flat storage will prevent any accidental folding or bending, as might happen if you store the paper vertically without enough support.
How should I organize my scrapbook paper?
Wondering how to organize your paper stash? We have a few ideas for you!
- By size: This is the first thing you should take into consideration because different sizes of paper serve different uses. Keep your 12 x 12 papers together, your cardstock, and your paper scraps, all organized by size to grab quickly as needed.
- By color: Sort your papers by color anyway you’d like. Some organize them according to the colors of the rainbow.
- By pattern: While some people organize their patterned paper by color, that can make things difficult when you’re trying to find what you need. Instead, organize by the type of pattern—plaids, polka dots, chevron, flowers, stars, stripes, and so on. Then, within those pattern types, you can put the colors in order.
- By season and/or holiday: If your craft projects revolve around the seasons, this is a great way to sort your papers. The fall category, for example, will house general fall themed papers as well as Halloween and Thanksgiving designs.
- By how it will be used: Do you use paper for card-making? For scrapbooking? For photo backdrops? Sort them according to how you’ll use them.
- By manufacturer: Perhaps you need to keep your papers sorted by manufacturer. This is important if you work with various brands in the form of sponsorships, ambassadorships, or as a seller yourself.
- By texture: Sort paper by its texture, such as paper with natural fibers, flecks of material, embossed, woven paper, and so on.
Vertical Scrapbook Paper Storage Ideas
Vertical paper storage is ideal when you don’t have entire rooms to dedicate to your craft supplies. All you need is a little space to set aside for your 12 x 12 inch paper.
This hanging paper storage is one of the better ways to take advantage of door space or wall space. Most doors can easily accommodate two of them.
This 3-slot paper sorter is perfect vertical storage for a small stash of scrapbook paper and can be placed on a desk, shelf, or just about anywhere.
This is one of the best 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas on our list! Can you believe this expandable paper organizer can hold 900 12 x 12 pages? With 10 tabs, it’s an easy way to sort so much paper by color, theme, holiday, etc. It expands or contracts to fit your paper stash. It’s so budget friendly too!
A simple file sorter is a great out-of-the-box solution. There’s no assembly or labeling—just take it out of the box, and it’s ready for your paper.
Set up a simple desktop organizer for your collection. This one has 11 sections and is perfect for a small stash of papers. It’s the easiest thing to sort your papers quickly.
Horizontal Scrapbook Paper Storage Ideas
Store paper horizontally to protect it from unwanted folding and bending unnecessarily. Here are some horizontal scrapbook paper storage ideas to do just that!
Shelving Units for 12 x 12 Scrapbook Paper
This Stamp n Storage unit can be a standalone storage rack or tucked inside a cubby storage unit or desk to hold your pretty papers.
Don’t forget to look at classroom supplies. Classroom Keepers has an excellent construction paper storage shelf large enough to fit 12×18 paper, so it’s certainly big enough for your scrapbooking collection.
Use clear, stackable paper trays like these from We R Memory Keepers to see all the colors and patterns you have at a glance. They tuck in nicely under cabinets or can sit on a desk or shelf as a standalone paper storage unit.
A wire desktop paper rack is one of the simplest paper storage options when you don’t have much shelf space to dedicate to it. The pretty mint green color brightens up any craft space.
Craft Specific Furniture Units
You can also make a small investment in craft specific furniture for 12 x 12 scrapbook paper storage and some of your other crafty bits. Everything will look tidy in organized in your craft room or craft corner.
The Ikea Kallax shelf unit is a popular one among crafters. It features cubbies as well as cabinets and drawers that are perfect for storing all of your scrapbooking supplies.
If you have just a bit of floor space to spare in your work area, this spinning craft tower is the perfect size. It has a swivel base, so you can turn the tower around to see all four sides in a pinch.
Every side has something to offer. From drawers to store paper, to shelves and pegboards, it holds everything you need for your scrapbook projects.
For those who prefer a minimalist look, the Ikea Alex drawer has clean lines and a nice white finish. While not clear or open, adding minimalist labels on the front of the drawers can help you find what you need quickly.
Rolling Carts
Rolling craft storage carts are a great way to store your 12 x 12 scrapbook paper along with other craft supplies. It rolls out of the way and into a closet when not in use which keeps the rest of your house tidy.
The Iris 6-drawer rolling cart is a terrific option for beginners or those with limited space. It comes with six drawers and cases to keep your paper in good shape.
You can either put the wheels on to move the cart wherever you want to use it, or leave them off if you plan on leaving it one spot. Plus, it comes pre-assembled except for the wheels!
Portable Scrapbook Paper Storage Ideas
A scrapbooking and craft supply rolling storage tote is perfect for getting together with your scrapbook paper club or meetups at the local scrapbook paper shop.
If you’re looking for portable craft paper storage ideas, you can’t get any simpler (or easier to carry around) than this expanding paper folio with carrying handles.
How do you make 12 x 12 paper storage?
Want to come up with your own system for DIY 12 x 12 paper storage? We have some ideas for combining things you already have with inexpensive bins and other items for a solution that’s all your own.
Plastic Tupperware Style Bins
A storage case that’s designed specifically for scrapbooking is a great choice. You can find them in packs of 4 or more at a great price with a coupon. They’re in the organizing or paper crafting section at your local craft stores.
The bins are great for loose-leaf paper or paper pads. But any Tupperware style bin that can fit 12 x 12 paper will work for protecting your craft materials.
12 x 12 Fabric Storage Cubes
Colorful fabric bins are a common method for organizing all sorts of things in a craft room. These have handles so they’re easily portable, but they fit nicely in a cubby, too.
12 x 12 Paper Storage Wire Rack
A flexible wire storage rack can house storage bins full of your scrapbooking supplies and is perfect for those who prefer a more industrial look. These measure 14×14, so they’re large enough for your papers and you can expand/add more bins as needed.
Milk Crates
Use milk crates and stained boards to create a shelving unit like this one. You can purchase milk crates online and spray paint them to match your color scheme. You’ll have plenty of room for your crafty papers and you can expand as needed.
Upcycle What You Already Have
In My Own Style has a nifty idea for a DIY scrapbook paper organizer using cardboard boxes and an upcycled cabinet. It’s a thrifty way to create stackable organizers for your growing collection. Make it look nicer by covering the box with wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or a coat of paint. We’ve seen similar ideas for paper organizers made with pizza boxes, too.
This is one of my FAVORITE 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas! Did you know that ANYTHING made for storing vinyl records will accommodate 12 x 12 paper!?!? This vinyl record table is super cute, but if you can find something similar in your attic or at a thrift store, even better!
Ideas and Inspiration from Fellow Paper Crafters
Get inspired by these gorgeous craft rooms and scrapbooking stations!
SHOP THIS LOOK (similar product): 4 PACK 12×12 SCRAPBOOK STORAGE BOX
Heidi from Happiness is Homemade used a modular mobile panel tower to create a desk with paper storage. It has enough space for papers in her common brand colors.
If you stick to a common color palette, this is a terrific way to keep a small stash organized and within quick reach. She also uses 12×12 scrapbook cases to corral her paper and small scraps.
SHOP THIS LOOK (similar product): 3 DRAWER SHOE CABINET
Talk about a handy Ikea hack! The Trones Shoe Holder is one way Cori from Hey, Let’s Make Stuff keeps her craft paper organized. If it’s not enough space for your collection, it could still be a great thing for pieces of scrap paper that you want to save to use later.
SHOP THIS LOOK: CLEAR PLASTIC STACKABLE DRAWERS
Inexpensive clear drawers like these at Craftaholics Anonymous are an easy and visual way to organize your paper. They’re lightweight and stackable, so it’s easy to expand this system as your collection grows.
SHOP THIS LOOK: WIRE PAPER TOWER
Get a paper tower rack to keep a large amount of paper organized. It’s a bit costly, but it’s a good investment if you need a wide variety for your business or hobby. {via Hey Let’s Make Stuff}
SHOP THIS LOOK: IKEA KALLAX SYSTEM
Lisa’s Stamp Studio uses the Ikea Kallax system to store scrapbook paper. The Ikea Kallax shelves come in a variety of units such as 1×4, 2×4, or 4×4. It’s super easy to start small and expand later as you get more paper.
SHOP THIS LOOK: ACRYLIC DIVIDER – 5 SLOTS
The Homes I Have Made uses acrylic dividers to keep her scrapbook paper sorted by pattern and by solid color. Clear storage solutions allow you to see everything at a glance but reduces visual clutter.
Jennifer Maker’s paper storage tower is a terrific if you’re handy with power tools. You’ll begin with a 1×4 Kallax unit, adding panelboard in intervals to create lots of shelves. You can fit a lot of paper in there!
Use plastic paper storage boxes made for file folders to store and sort your loose paper. Add hanging files inside the box. Use a small scrap of the paper to make the tab for the file folder so it’s easy to find what you need. {via Crafting Cheerfully}
SHOP THIS LOOK: MAGAZINE FILE HOLDER 12 PACK
Aubree Originals uses magazine holders to store 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. The post also includes tips for storing 8.5 x 11 and scrap pieces of paper in ways that don’t take up too much room in your craft space.
These holders are further divided by placing removable sticky tabs on the first page of each color or design. The papers are organized by seasonal categories and subcategories.
SHOP THIS LOOK: CLEAR HANGUP BAGS AND CURTAIN CLIPS
This is one of my FAVORITE 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas! How about this CUTE hanging storage system? If you don’t have floor space to accommodate shelves or bins, use your wall space instead. It’s one of the most creative ways to store paper that we’ve seen.
Use clear hang-up bags along with curtain rings to create hanging paper storage like this one from Jennifer Maker. Not only is it functional, but it’ll make your wall look bright and colorful, too.
A rolling file cart (or file cabinet) from the Container Store makes a perfect storage solution. You can move it from room to room whenever you need to. It’s short enough to store underneath a desk, so if you want something you can tuck away out of site, this is a nifty idea.
Damask Love stores the large sheets and scraps on top in hanging file folders, and the bottom basket holds paper trimmers and scoring boards.
Get the plans from Houseful of Handmade to build this printer stand with paper storage. The blueprint is free, and if you only work with a small number of colors or patterns, it’s a great way to stay organized. The decorative panel slides left to right and can protect your sheets of paper from collecting dust. If you’re not super handy you can purchase a simple printer + paper storage stand online.
SHOP THIS LOOK: 4-PIECE STACKABLE TRAYS STORAGE
Angie Holden uses stackable shelves from We R Memory Keepers for paper storage. The stackable paper trays are small enough that you can put them on top of any cubby storage unit, desk, or table. Plus, they’re clear, so they let you see what you have from all angles.
I love how Intentional Edit has all of her craft supplies and scrapbook supplies stored in multipurpose bins and clear shoeboxes. I’ve seen many similar inexpensive ones at the dollar store and department stores. Add removable labels to the front to make finding what you need super simple.
Take a look at the before and after pics of her craft closet. It’s a world of difference!
SHOP THIS LOOK: CLEAR PAPER HOLDER
Inspired Paper Crafts stores her card stock in cardstock holders from JoAnn Fabrics. It’s also a great solution for your scrapbook paper.
Because she’s also a consultant for a cardstock brand, she organizes hers by color and adds a “retired” label if the shade or pattern has been retired. You can read more about her cardstock organization system here.
SHOP THIS LOOK: WOOD DESK PAPER ORGANIZER
Craving Some Creativity uses wooden desktop paper sorters underneath her desk to organize craft papers. You can stack several units together, as you see here, to create a more robust cardstock storage area.
SHOP THIS LOOK: KALLAX CUBE ORGANIZER
A Kallax organizer is a great way to organize your craft area. Sweet Red Poppy has her scrapbook paper organized by color and pattern in two different cubbies in the cube. It’s nothing fancy… just paper stacks standing vertically, but it works, and it looks very pretty.
Use plastic crate storage to keep your stacks of paper tidy. It’s a colorful, clean look without overwhelming a small space. {via A Visual Merriment}
With so many creative, affordable, and fun ways to organize your scrapbooking paper, there’s no reason not to get started today. We’ve covered how to organize your scrapbook paper, vertical paper storage, horizontal storage, and portable paper storage ideas.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing all the 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas! We’ve also shared how you can use what you already have (like boxes, crates, and furniture) to create a system that’s all your own. Finally, the inspirational craft spaces from other bloggers should give you the kick-start you need to make a beautiful space of your own. If you have unique 12×12 scrapbook paper storage ideas leave usa comment below and let us know what it is!
If you LOVE all things craft related- check out some of our latest crafty articles below:
FREE printable craft room organizing labels
65+ MIND BLOWING Tissue Paper Crafts
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