How I Store My Equipment in Such a Small Space

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “Where on earth do you keep all of your beads, sequins, and embroidery equipment in a van?”

The simple answer? Innovative storage — and a fair bit of creative problem-solving.

When I first moved into my motorhome full-time, I thought the easiest solution was to store all of my embroidery equipment in the underbelly locker. It seemed logical at the time — it’s a large, dry, secure space. But in practice? It didn’t work at all for me. Every time I wanted to work, I’d have to drag everything out, set it up, and then put it all away again. When it was cold, wet, or windy outside, that was not at the top of my priority list. In the end, it became such hard work that I often gave up before I even began.

That’s when I realised I needed to create proper storage inside the motorhome. If my tools and materials were within arm’s reach, my creativity and motivation could flow without the exhausting setup. And it worked — now that everything is accessible, my motivation has returned in full force.

The heart of my storage system is a single deep drawer tucked neatly under the seating in my “living room.” This is where all of my beads and sequins live, along with a few of my most-used tools and my daylight lamp. I spent about three days sorting every bead and sequin into clear, stackable storage boxes I found on Amazon — a job that tested both my patience and my colour-sorting skills! But now, opening that drawer feels like opening a treasure chest, every little box labelled and in its place.

My slate frames — essential for my hand embroidery — have their own home in the wardrobe in my bedroom, kept upright so they’re easy to reach without disturbing everything else. My Lowery workstand lives in pieces alongside the passenger seat, but it takes only seconds to put together when I’m ready to use it. My sketchbooks slip perfectly into the narrow space behind the passenger seat, tucked in alongside my folding table, while my drawing pencils, pens, and rulers and my current crochet project live under the other sofa.

Some materials are still stored in the underbelly locker, but only those I don’t need every day — my goldwork supplies and all of my embroidery threads. It’s the perfect spot for them: cool, dry, and out of the way until they’re needed.

Living and creating in a small space has taught me that organisation isn’t just about tidiness — it’s about making room for your passion. Every drawer, locker, and hidden nook in my motorhome holds not just supplies, but possibilities.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how small your space, there’s always room for creativity.