I had the honor and privilege of helping design, set up and organize two art therapy rooms for a Denver metro nonprofit organization that supports children ages 4 to 18. The work they do is truly meaningful, and I wanted to help create spaces that felt calm, functional and easy to maintain so therapists could focus on the kids, not the clutter. When art supplies are organized and accessible, creativity flows more easily, and that’s exactly what these rooms needed.
One room required a complete organizing solution for a wide variety of art supplies, along with space to store finished masterpieces. As you can see from the paints, markers, ribbons and craft materials piled high on the table, everything needed a home. The goal was to create a place for everything while keeping items easy for kids to grab, use and share independently. In a busy art therapy environment, accessibility is just as important as organization.
We turned to a customizable shelving and drawer system to create a flexible wall of storage with plenty of room to grow. Multiple drawers and open shelving allowed us to separate supplies by category, making it easier for both therapists and children to find what they need. Drawer dividers helped keep crayons, markers and pencils tidy and contained. Smaller items like jewels, puff balls and stickers were placed into labeled bins that stack neatly on shelves. This approach keeps everything visible while preventing supplies from mixing together.
The second room already had wonderful built-in cupboards and cabinets, but the supplies inside still needed structure. Without organization, even great cabinetry can quickly become overwhelming, especially in a space used by multiple people throughout the day. The goal here was to declutter, categorize and create easy-to-maintain systems that would hold up to daily use.
We added roll-out drawers to the lower cabinets so nothing gets lost in the back. This simple change dramatically improved visibility and access. Now, supplies stored in the lower cabinets can be reached easily and therapists don’t have to dig through bins to find what they need.
We used consistent clear bins, labeled for quick identification, to hold everything from googly eyes to glitter and glue. Keeping like items together makes it easier to restock supplies and maintain order. This system also helps children learn where items belong, reinforcing the habit of returning things to their proper home.
For the drawers, we added bins to separate markers, crayons and other small tools. This keeps drawers tidy and prevents supplies from becoming jumbled after just a few uses. Creating contained sections ensures everything stays organized even in a high-traffic environment.
With everything organized and contained, both rooms now have plenty of storage space for new supplies and finished works of art. The transformation created calm, functional environments that support creativity and make it easier for staff to maintain organization over time.
Hopefully these newly organized art therapy rooms help this incredible organization continue providing meaningful support and healing opportunities for the children they serve. It was truly a joy to help create spaces where creativity and calm can exist side by side.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter and unsure where to start, you don’t have to tackle it alone. As a home organizer serving Denver, Central Park, Park Hill, Wash Park, Aurora, Cherry Creek and surrounding Colorado communities, I help clients declutter, create a place for everything and design systems that are both tidy and easy to maintain. Contact Denver Professional Organizer | SOS Smart Organizing Solutions to get started. I’d love to help you bring lasting peace of mind to your space.