If you have become a true Coloring Book Addict by now you are sure to have quite the collection of colored pencils, pens, markers and more and NOW you need to figure out how to store and organize your coloring art supplies.
There are so many storage options that I will just be sharing and several that might meet your artistic needs, we colorists are all so uniquely individual.
Artist Organization & Storage Ideas from Blick Art Materials
Blicks has the largest selection of organizational tools just for artists (that’s us!) that I’ve ever seen!
ROLLING CARTS
I honestly don’t know how I lived before I recently discovered the RASKOG rolling cart. Once you have one you might want more. I’ve watched numerous video reviews on Rakog versus the Michaels Brand and Costco brand and everyone agrees that the RASKOG is da bombdiggity in all sorts of art supply storage. What I love most about it is how sturdy it is AND that I can store ALL of my colored pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and books all in one spot and then roll it away when company comes. You can also clip an LED light on the edge of it in case you need more light in your family room which is where I always end up coloring.
If you have an IKEA store nearby then go buy one. I promise you won’t be sorry. They no longer have the aqua blue color (BOO!) so I bought the cream and if I get really ambitious I’ll spray paint it. However, I don’t think I can live long enough without it to do that.. so I may just wait for them to bring out a blue again. They are super easy to put together and SO sturdy. The middle shelf can be moved up or down but I just left mine right in the middle.
Click to Order From Amazon: Cream Raskog, Black Raskog or Copper Raskog
Dick Blicks has a huge assortment of rolling storage items
The other alternative that is almost as good is the one at Michaels, it looks pretty identical but isn’t quite as sturdy. It’s part of Michael’s Everyday Value selection so you can’t use your 40% off coupon on which makes it pretty reasonable. The advantage is that they DO have lots of color selections.
Click here to purchase from Michaels
Lexington 3 Tier Cart comes in Mint, White, Coral, Pale Pink (Blush), Lemon Yellow, Bright Pink, Champagne, Rose Gold, Grey & Black.
COLORED PENCIL ORGANIZATION AND STORAGE
Some people like to keep their pencils in the original tins but I find these less than satisfactory. I find I like to color all over the place, in front of the TV, our library coloring events and on the patio at Starbucks so I want my pencils to be easy to transport. I have been lusting after these cute pencil rolls on Amazon that hold 72 sticks of color and on Amazon Prime Day they went on sale so I snagged 3 of them.
Cloth Pencil Wraps
The price for the 36, and 48 are the same as for the 72 pack so I’d get the largest one. You can also fit your gel pens and watercolor pencils easily in these bags and there are extra-wide slots at each end to hold your eraser, water brush or other coloring tools.
Amazon US – Amazon UK (This seller does not sell in Canada)
Shulaner Pencil Case
These BTSKY Leather Colored Pencil Cases are FANTASTIC
They come in 2 sizes, 72 pencils or 160 pencils. I’d opt for the big one even if you only have 72 pencils for now, you will likely get more or it can also hold your gel pens or markers.
Click to order any of these gorgeous colors in the 72 size! The teal pictured, lilac, hot pink, grey, brown and black. These measure 7.8″ x 5″
The 160 Pencil Organizer comes in the same great colors and is 9.45″ x 7.87″
Click to Order Amazon US, UK & Canada.
Pencil Cases & Wraps from Blicks
Pencil (or Pen) Roll-up Pencil Cases
The BTSKY Pencil organizers are great! They are sturdy canvas and zip-closed. They also come in dozens of colors & patterns and capacities from 72 – 200.
This smaller bumblebee one holds 72 pencils with pockets for your sharpener, eraser etc. Click to Order Amazon US, UK Or Canada
This BTSKY Pencil Bag holds 120 Pencils!
This zippered canvas bag opens to reveal all 72 of your colored pencils and received rave reviews from verified purchases (Not the “I got this for free” folks) One reviewer even said he got all 150 of his Prismacolors in with room to spare.
Click to order Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon Canada (Canada & the UK seem to have a different seller but the case looks identical)
BTSKY 160 slot canvas pencil holder
Finally, a zippered canvas bag that fits all your Prismacolors in one place. This one comes in several colors too. 150 elastic spots for pencils or pens + 10 extra spots for blenders, your Gelly Roll Clear Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen for highlighting, Eraser pencils and whatever else your essential tools are.
Click to order Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon Canada
Derwent Zippered Pencil & Art Storage Bag
I originally purchased the Derwent Canvas bag that holds quite a few supplies along with 132 pencils and it also has extra sleeves available for even more pencil storage. The zippered pockets also hold erasers, sharpeners, and other supplies for you in this nice sturdy bag with a shoulder strap.
Two pencils fit in each space on the 3 dividers that fit on the binder rings and you can buy more of these if you have more than 132 pencils. Pens also fit nicely in this bag but it’s not big enough to stick a full-size coloring book into but the postcards and portable books fit nicely in the inside or the outside pocket. There is a zipper pocket inside for your erasers and sharpeners. The shoulder strap is removable. I have had this for about 9 months now and it is still in perfect condition. I did buy an additional set of sleeves and there is still room spare. Click to Order
Coloring Supply Storage Idea
(You might already have 1 (or 50) 31 bags in your closet already and any of those with lots of pockets are perfect.
I found this stackable interlocking storage and now have two of them.
That top blue part is removable too which is what I did and then I used that little bin to store my erasers and sharpers and other ephemera. This is where I store my markers since they are to be stored horizontally versus vertical.
Creative Options Coloring Supply Storage
4 Drawer Rolling Storage
I have used these workhorses for years in my craft room, books in the bottom, pens, pencils. and whatnot in the top two drawers. You can wheel it out to your TV room or bedroom while you are working, and put it away the rest of the time.
(Note: mine is pretty much always out unless we have company!)
Colored Pencil & Marker Storage Drawers
Wooden Storage Drawers are quite popular for those folks who have a dedicated area to color in.
These pencil drawer storage units are very popular, be sure to read the reviews for the one you are buying as some manufacturers are better than others. If you have a collection like I do you will probably need more than 1.
2 Drawer Storage can organize about 90 pencils or a set of 72 with blenders erasers & a few Gelly Rolls.
Click to Order Amazon US
3 Drawer Storage holds about 134 pencils: Click to Order US UK Canada
The 4 drawer holds about 180 pencils: Click to Order Amazon US
If you prefer to see all your colors at once you might like these upright colored pencil holders like this one I found on Etsy. It holds 50 pencils so you might need more than one, or if you have a handy person around, get them to make one for you.
Etsy Artist Pencil Storage and Organization
This Etsy store has some gorgeous pencil wraps with really cute fabrics, she says you can mix and match which fabrics you want as well. This one holds You can fit about 140 pencils, about 3 books or several coloring pages.
Click here to Order your Pencil Bag!
So many Etsy Artists are here to help with our colored pencil organization.
If you can’t get enough Disney, this mid-size bag is just adorable!
You can fit about 140 pencils, about 3 books or several coloring pages, it comes with a generous zipper pencil case for odd-sized and larger items. Click here to Order a selection of Coloring Beach Bags
There are all sorts of cute handmade pencil organizers here to shop through on Etsy as well.
If you are a DIY kind of person, the Doodle Craft Blog has step by step instructions to make this cute pencil organizer.
Or this one! it only fits 25 pencils, though. I’d probably decorate any of these that I bought, to be honest.
Wooden Pencil Cups
Studio Rotating Wooden Colored Pencil Holder Organizer
Art Carousels are another option to store your pencils, just spin this lazy susan organizer to reach all your colors
This clear plastic pencil organizer doesn’t spin but does have 120 slots for your pens pencils and markers
Here are some great DIY ideas for how to organize your coloring supplies on Pinterest
I have a bit of a mason jar obsession, if you need a storage solution for everything in your home, this is my go-to. For you Kawaii lovers, this is perfect for you, or just leave them without the faces as I have done.
Wine Rack + Plastic Glasses
Toilet Paper Roll Pencil Organization
I think I like this idea better for organizing with toilet paper rolls. The one above isn’t nearly big enough for my pencil collection from 20 free ways to organize. She has a bunch of other great ideas for organization too.
Check out this DIY idea with full instructions on YouTube.
We would love to see your storage ideas on our social media accounts. Please tag us anytime..
Thanks for this incredibly useful and timely post. I am as getting tired of rooting around in the bottom of my shoe-box size pen box! I really like the look of the drawers, but at over £50 here in the UK, may look at other alternatives, so great you have so many types.
I hear you Kitty 🙂 I personally NEVER color at my desk, so the pencil wraps pictured at the top are my personal favorites. I can take them with me anywhere. I also have cups of pencils by color which works pretty well too as long as MY kitty doesn’t come along and bite off ALL the tips! Oh yes… it happens! 🙂
Thank you Ms AC, I think I’ll give the wraps a go..Was thinking i never get time (or can be bothered more like:-) to put them away in individual slots, but the organiser one looks like the slots bit enough to fit a few at a time…
Haha, re: Kitty:-) I used to have a cat, she did love ‘helping’ colouring-in,,especially when they see you got to a fiddly bit, and thought it good to bite end of pencil, so I know where you coming from;-)!!
Enjoyed your article.
Tried to order from Etsy but not able to change the credit card I wanted to use. Did get one from Amazon.
Keep your thoughts coming!
You might try adding the new card, selecting it and then going back and deleting the old one. Sometimes it’s fussy 🙁
Thank you for sharing these great ideas for places to store all coloring pencils, markers, etc.
I especially like the wooden container, Chrissy.
Oh, wow! So many ideas for organizing my coloring supplies. Now you have taken away every excuse I have for not getting organized. I like that you presented options for any budget and/or craft level.
I really like the wood upright pencil holders. However, I am very limited on space, so will probably opt for a fabric pencil roll.
I use empty frosting containers n found an old Tupperware bread box. It let’s me keep similar gel pen colors, different types of pencils separate n markers in one area. However I am coloring alot n this solution is ok but not perfect. I use crayons also. Please help !
Love the canvas pencil holders. Great organizing tools
GM
I have a lot of different brands of colored pencils.
Should I put them altogether by color or keep each brand seperated
I keep them separated because I find different papers respond better to different pencils. For instance, I love using Prismas in my Hanna Karlzon books, I find the Polychromos tend to smear on that luscious paper. Johanna Basford books I like to use my polys. So for my big fancy sets I keep them separated. For my less expensive ones I do tend to just put all the greens in one cup, all the pinks & purples in another. I’d experiment and see which one you prefer. After all, this is YOUR hobby so do the one that makes you happy. I have to confess I kind of like reorganizing my art supplies every so often to see what’s in there.
These are some great options! I need to get one of these awesome carts from IKEA 😍
I really do love mine and they are so sturdy!
Do most people keep their coloring pencils together by color or brand? When I want to use a certain brand, I don’t think I’d like digging through every pencil of the same color to pull out the one I wanted. Does that make sense to anybody?
I keep mine by color family & brand actually… so the ones I use the most are the prismacolors so I have 3 metal cups I keep them in, cool colors, warm colors & neutrals. I also have a 4th cup for the ones I’m using currently in a picture so that I can find that green I was using on the leaves when I’m halfway through and realize I missed a few leaves.