Ikea hack - How to Store Watercolor Paper

I’m going to show you an easy Ikea hack for storing those huge full Imperial sheets of watercolors safely & cheaply. If you love saving money by buying full sheets but don’t know how to store them, this project might be up your street.
** IKEA parts needed for this project **
+ Frame - PAX wardrobe frame 100x58x201cm
Product code 202.145.66
UK - bit.ly/3AkzZTs USA - bit.ly/3CnTEEk
+ Shelves - KOMPLEMENT shelves 100x58cm (I used 7 shelves)
Product code 702.779.57
UK - bit.ly/3ADBkpD USA - bit.ly/3dNG1nV
+ Doors - VIKEDAL 50x195x2cm
Product code 700.233.19
UK - bit.ly/3caev3v USA - bit.ly/3PFiwdV
+ Hinges for doors - KOMPLEMENT soft closing hinge (you’ll need 2 packs)
Product code 002.145.05
UK - bit.ly/3CmNwfH USA - bit.ly/3AFXgk5
+ Door handles - BILLSBRO handle silver 12cm
Product code 703.236.00
UK - bit.ly/3whLmtN USA - No available in this length (but available in other length)
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This video was edited by the amazing @Eve Bolt - Art & Cats / eveboltboltsvault
She’s a wonderful editor and is open to working with other channels.
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Oto Kano
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[@lightwavz]

That was great! I think I must be one of the few weirdos who loves the sound of those metal drawers. I would love to have one of the old drafting room setups with the giant tilting desk and files and t-squares. I split my time in school between drafting and fine art 🤣

[@kelliroos2933]

I’ve always stored my paper vertically too! Never thought I could get a flat file storage due to cost, and space, since they really only store things flat. But this is less expensive AND flexible, I will definitely be planning this for my studio in the future!

[@lynn_thinks]

Oto!! This is super! This solves two challenges for me in one. I’m going to go measure to make sure. 😎 ‼️ONE NOTE OF CAUTION to my fellow Oto-landers‼️ I strongly suggest people put doors over the shelves that will contain paper. I learned the hard way that light deteriorates the sizing on quality 100% cotton paper (even if the paper is stacked with only one edge exposed). I do like the idea of fabric, but if I use this cabinet and choose fabric, I will choose blackout curtain fabric and attach it with Velcro to avoid light leaks. (Yes, my paper loss was a VERY expensive lesson). Thanks again, Oto and hubby!

[@J.Dibble]

And to keep out the dust!

[@RebekkaHay]

That’s weird. What when you finish a painting? Are you supposed to keep that in a drawer too? People hang paintings on the wall all the time and so far I have never heard of “light destroying the sizing”. Maybe ask the paper manufacturer?

[@Carrie401]

Awesome! When I went to an IKEA a few years ago one of their showroom wardrobes had a light that came on only when you opened the door, like a refrigerator 🤯 I don't think it was the cheapest light but since you're saving so much on the cabinet.... 😊

[@allisoncriswell5001]

Thank you!!! I am amazed at how hard it's been to find paper storage solutions and solutions for finished watercolors that are very large. I was advised not to roll them to store them. I want to delve into making full sheet size paintings but not until I have a way to store them without damage.

[@AnnieNoodle]

This is a really great idea, and very helpful. I however am a HUGE fan of the giant, squeaky, metal flat files! 😁 I have been lucky enough to get a few different types at garage sales for cheap! I also tend to horde various other vintage metal boxes, (and other vintage stuff, like cameras) so that's just the vibe in my studio. I'm hoping to do a studio tour video on my channel soon!!! I'm so excited to finally almost be done putting it together and I can't wait to share it!!! Thank you for another great video!!

[@portablecity]

This is lovely! I have been storing my imperial sheets on the largest IVAR shelf size that Ikea has, but they hang an inch or two over the front of the shelves. This wardrobe approach is a much more visually attractive solution, thanks for sharing!

[@litylu]

I store my imperial sheets under the couch 😆 Only place I have where it can be out of the way!

[@creativecolours2022]

Hi Oto. This is a great way to store your papers, but if you want them to last longer it would be wise to put them into plastic bags and make sure that these can close somehow. What is destroying paper is dust and the environment's excess humidity or dryness.There is nothing that can stop dust from getting in the closets, cabinets or whatever else you use to store your papers particularly by the time that you store and probably use the scanner printer into the same cabinet. It creates static electricity that attracts the worst kind of dust, the very thin one that penetrates the papers and can spoil their sizing. So get large plastic bags, cut them in the appropriate size and put all your papers packs each into its own bag and close them with some tape, ( or velcro if you can find the self adhesive one).

[@carolinehanrahan153]

Thanks for sharing. I have the same set up but I use the Komplement drawers instead of shelves. Makes access a bit easier.

[@geckonia]

Oto! That's brilliant! I keep mine in a pile under my desk...lol... Nice work Mr J.

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

Great idea. The price difference shocks me as the dollar is the same rate as the UK

[@AnnieNoodle]

This is probably at least partially due to the higher cost to ship to the US. The cost of shipping a container here has tripled in the last few years, sadly.

[@OtoKano]

yeah it shocked me too when I was collecting data!

[@laurelb4193]

Love the mirrors on the doors, aesthetics are important for us visual people! Your honey did such a great job!

[@artbycatfitz]

Thanks for sharing that, I never would have thought about using a wardrobe carcase. I will keep this in mind when we move. Currently, I use the Alex drawers on castors for my general storage, you can fit a half sheet, but not a full sheet. I don't keep many full sheets, but they are pressed firmly up against a wall with a ply board to keep them flat, all held in place with one of my heavy vintage metal sewing machines.

[@candyvanstaveren558]

I store my imperial size watercolor paper under my bed. When I order paper online from the art store it comes in a double layered cardboard box. I can get two to three boxes stacked on top of each other. I also use a large black vinyl art case. It zips up all the way around and has handles and compartments inside. It is 26 x 32 inches and is only 1.5 inches deep. It will hold 40 to 50 sheets of paper. It only cost $20.00 and is waterproof. You can easily stack 4 of them under the bed. In the video it looked like you had tubes of paint in some type of storage. If so, could you share with us where those containers came from? Thank you for your videos.

[@allisoncriswell5001]

Hi could you share the brand of the art case? I'm having trouble finding this style you described. Thanks!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks!! I use the Alex drawer system, which can hold half sheets. The drawers are 42 x 65 cm inside, the whole piece is 67 x 66 x 48 cm. I put a printer on top. It's the closest to a "proper" architectural chest of drawers. It comes with wheels, but you can replace with legs. You caneven stack 2 if you need more storage. Your PAx solutionsoynds great...I wish they mad a version which wasn't as tall. Itvworks perfectly for you though! Hope you are doing well.

[@stewarth]

Love it! We already have one in the house. We cut a cat door in the side, and that's how we conceal the commode. A second one would blend right in!

[@courtenay4130]

Thank you so much.

[@koto3754]

I had been wondering about how to solve this problem for SO LONG. Thank you for sharing in detail 😊

[@Emiswitchcraft]

That’s how I store mine in the top pf my wardrobe (for the moment). And yes, that’s the perfect way to store and protect those expensive papers 🙌🏻

[@wmbriggz]

'this' is going to free up sooo much space as I have been using non-adjustable 'temporary' plastic tube type shelving for years... thank you!!!!

[@KikkiF]

That is so clever! Thank you for this great idea!

[@Pear65]

This is what I was hoping for, thank you SO MUCH for sharing this IKEA hack!!!

[@susanhand4080]

Brilliant. Thank you for sharing the specifics.

[@katpaints]

About 20 years ago, I bought two large boxes from a store that sold suppliers for preschools. They are supposed to be used to store things to decorate walls and bulletin boards and are a few inches larger tha the 22 by 30 inches of the paper. They had a few cardboard folders inside and I bought several more. I also bought several sheets of glassine paper to line the folders to protect them from possible acid I'd in the cardboard and to separate types of papers within tha folders. The boxes are about 5 inches deep and they hold a lot of paper! I have 2 boxes. The other holds decorative papers. These are huge and take up a lot of floor space in the tiny closet but it is well worth the space! I like being able to easily pick out the sheet I want without having to pull them from under a stack of paper. I have seen no damage to the paper in the many years I have used them. I usually pull out a folder and choose a paper from that. They slip back in easily. The store I found them in closed but they must still be made.

[@brackalack1]

I love this!

[@isabellalucia7820]

Great suggestion. I’d add (if I could afford them - they’re more expensive than just shelves) those flat pullout complement drawers intended for jewellery. And trial an insert in one of them to see if it fitted tubes and brushes well.

[@lulabelle33]

Thank you thank you!!! This is a storage solution that's been on my mind for some time. Even today I was thinking I MUST figure something out because the boxes and storage is a big issue for me. I certainly can't afford those architects units This is perfect because the remaining are can be customized for any storage needed.

[@lindyashford7744]

I used to have a hacked desk made from IKEA legs, the fat round metal type, plus two table tops, with a two by four separating them at either end and screwed in. The table tops were sturdier than they are now and you could easily put fittings into them, these days they are not all good at taking a fitting so you have to choose carefully. This allowed me to store some elephant sized paper, but would also allow for two stacks the size you have here, with room to spare, I used to keep rulers, t-squares and pencils boxes in this extra space. If I still had this table I would proabably also store some paint palettes there too. My upper tabletop had a ice squared surface blues’s lines on white, so was very good for getting things lined up and taped down. You could adapt this idea and put in legs that can give a tilt if you have space to get to the back of the desk and have a slanted space for this you would need the front to have a 2x4 closure. I guess you could also adapt this idea for a rise and fall desk too. I like your hack though, more convenient for my set up today, just wondered whether you can get a low pax unit to adapt in the same way. Currently my paper sheets reside in the cardboard boxes they came in, though a slightly smaller size of paper is taking up a lot of space on one of my work tables. I have had to abandon paper in the past through lack of storage, so solutions like this are wonderful. I have no room for a taller unit but feel sure that if a shorter unit exists it would be a solution for me. Many thanks for the detailed video, it looks like the perfect solution for you.

[@alextaylor3815]

Good video!

[@chiki2363]

thank you so much for sharing xo

[@cristinalattuada5322]

Thank you, I wanted to do the same thing. ❤

[@JCLittle]

Brilliant. Thank you and thank your husband!

[@karenensemble7899]

Because I need to move my "studio" around occasionally, I opted for a rolling metal cart by Creative Mark. It works well right now until I land in one spot in the house. I often host many little grandkids (7-8 at a time) for painting sessions so my supplies need to be by the dining table where there is room.

[@rupalishankerarthub]

excellent system this! if u live in a humid or dusty place AND have some more cash to spend, you can go in for the pull out drawers on the drawer channels with the toughened glass front for each drawer. Each drawer would be a bit bigger in width....this will help to protect paper in case you stay in a humid and /or dusty place or somewhere with high temperature extremes.

[@alisonhendry2928]

I would love this if it was smaller not as tall, but will go dawdle around IKEA. Great idea. My dream is to actually own one of those “ugly” 😂 architectural storage drawers like Louise de Masi has, but oh the cost and weight. I have stairs to my studio….right now I use one of this people old TV cabinets… remember when the Tv was as big as a dishwasher??? I put in shelves from top to bottom, but would like something smaller. Thanks for yet another great video! Loving your colour website ❤❤❤ told all my students about it.

[@janicetortoriello1125]

Thank you very helpful, I’ve been storing under my bed 😂. I do have a question, what are you using to store your watercolor tubes. I need something desperately, yours look so nicely organized.

[@OtoKano]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKW1ZqmQp99rbtU

[@kimlindseyOH]

An excellent solution! And sturdy enough for the purpose. 👏👏👏 I'm just using smaller blocks, since I'm still new to watercolor (but loving it!). Question: Did you not add additional support brackets for the shelves that hold only paper? - because I know that paper is heavier than one might think.

[@Finkeldinken]

This is true paper pr0n. 🤩

[@Dan.B.Artist]

Great idea! Ikea are amazing aren't they? I store imperials in the box they came in and lean them against the wall, not really ideal. Most of my paper is 1/4 sheet or smaller and I store them on a KALLAX unit.

[@valasafantastic1055]

I use the large bottom drawer of an old handmade dresser my Grandfather made long ago. It has a large area and even my biggest sheets fit flat. I also use cupboards, shelves, cardboard boxes and plastic bins for other sheets. I have many papers of various sizes including coloured cardstock. I think people can also look at yardsales for dressers and wardrobes with large deep shelves that would be great for paper. Those hinges seem like they were way too expensive I'd rather check my local hardware store or better walmart or amazon and get a much better deal quickly checked and can get 10 hinges for $20 at Walmart. But I suppose the entire Ikea thing is currently too much money for me anyway. Good thing I don't need it right now. I was just curious so watched the video anyway. I hope your video does help someone who may need this solution in their life. I feel like the cabinet should also come with hinges? I'm confused about parts being missing, personally; but I'm on the very low end of the money having scale and ALL of my furniture I've ever had is hand me down, yardsale, gift or picked from curbside trash... so.... Its so bizarre to even think about planning a room for aesthetics rather than base function and what I can scrounge. I decorate the walls with art I make, but its crazy to contemplate 'decorating my house' to be a certain look because I 'want a look'. Its always been beyond me to connect with that possibility. Seems so INSANELY expensive every time I hear anything about this. Sorry for the rant I hope this doesn't come across as negative. I was just struck by the alien nature of the entire discussion. I also noticed I can only enjoy a tiny amount of similar content. There have been a couple moments where I have spent time imagining such options but its likely to be a waste of my imagination as I'm not in a position to act on such needless desire and such whimsy would likely lead to unhappiness with what I do have, and so I'd rather focus on what I DO have and the many blessings I can be grateful for instead of such impossibilities. Or perhaps various things have left me with an outlook on life that needs to be upgraded into full worthiness. Maybe I can look for very inexpensive or free options that better suit my actual aesthetic preferences? Maybe I should try considering the possibility of caring what my house looks like or the rooms I live in look like (aside from art on the walls + clean). Or maybe I'm just a weirdo who doesn't care about what interior decoration looks like? Maybe I only care about wall decorations and the rest is pure function + money saving. Maybe that's just whats right for me? Maybe that's ok. I do actually like how my old dresser looks however. thinking about it more actually I CAN and do design interiors sometimes for stories/art/characters BUT it never feels like a 'real thing' I could do in reality. Its a bit hard to do perspective but As an illustrator and Game Master for Tabletop (such as D&D) I can and do interior design all the time. Its not that hard in fantasy context! I find function and expressing personality (storytelling through room design) is something I have studied and do apply to art sometimes but it feels in the same category as designing a custom creature, or a stories plot. If that makes any sense. I was just thinking about how 'different' it is that's all. I don't intend any negativity and I hope no one takes any from my overly long comment. I think several recent videos I watched added up to this comment frankly. Makes me think. Does anyone else relate?

[@patingoe4713]

I am always learning something new from you….today I also found out you are a quilter. How do you store all that entails too? I do both also. The two are so related and wonderful to have in these negative times

[@OtoKano]

I hide them off camera 😂 I have two bookcases in the studio that are just for other crafts, quilting, knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, 😅

[@alejandromorales9516]

I tear mine down to quarter sheets and store in a sealed bin,

[@iwantmy10dollars]

I store my sheets under the bed. But I like this way better. What was that light that you put up in there? I noticed it came on when you opened the door. Is that from ikea?

[@joyfulldj]

I wanted that shelve cube. Damn thing soldout. scetchbooks, pads hahnemule block, arches canson paul rubens ; I think I will make my own insert. borrow from billy closet lol ( im dutch; im a walking ikea sponsoradd, sue me :P )

[@SPQRKlio]

My large sheets are in a big portfolio, stored vertically, not ideal for keeping them safe and not warped. I'm taking note, for the day I finally get to set up a home and studio the way I want (um... in a decade or two... I guess...)

[@gorez2267]

Won’t the acid in the wood cause the paper to turn yellow with time? How can I prevent that from happening, I’m currently storing my paper blocks in drawer from ikea as well with doors? 😬

[@sushanart]

😇🩵🙏🙌🇸🇪

[@awatercolourist]

Imperial is 56 x 76.

[@awatercolourist]

First!

[@babycakes1949]

Can I borrow your husband? :)