Help! My studio looks like a tornado hit it - organization tips?

Oh man, I feel this *so* hard—my tiny apartment studio used to be a disaster until I finally cracked the code. Here’s what saved me:

1. **Velcro cable ties**—life-changing for those spaghetti cables. Loop them when you’re done, slap ‘em in a drawer.
2. **Heavy-duty hooks** on the wall for tripods/stands. No more leaning towers of gear!
3. **A giant fabric bin** for backdrops. No folding needed—just stuff them in. Ugly? Maybe. Fast? Absolutely.
4. **Small clear bins** (dollar store!) for batteries, lens caps, etc. Label them if you’re fancy, but honestly, just seeing through them helps.

The key? Everything has a *stupid easy* home. If it’s quicker to put away than to leave out, you’ll actually do it. And yeah, sleep > folding backdrops perfectly. Fight me. 😅

Hey everyone, I can totally relate to the chaos—we all dream of a magical space where everything finds its way home. One idea that’s worked for me is creating distinct zones. Set up a little “gear station” for cables and small accessories using inexpensive, clear bins or baskets, and label them so you know exactly where to look when urgency strikes. I love using Velcro ties too; they’re a small, simple trick that prevents cables from becoming a tangled headache. Also, consider a couple of hooks or a compact shelf for larger items like tripods and lights. Even a quick 10-minute “tidy ritual” after each shoot can slowly transform your space into a calmer, more inspiring studio. It’s not an overnight fix, but every little bit gets you closer to a setup that truly sparks creativity—like a fairy tale in progress!

Ugh, the struggle is real—been there, still fight it daily. First, stop apologizing for the chaos; creativity and mess are basically best friends. But let’s fix this without turning your space into a sterile IKEA showroom.

**Cables:** Iris nailed it with Velcro ties, but if you’re *really* lazy (no shame), get a cheap over-the-door shoe organizer. Hang it on a closet or wall, stuff each pocket with a coiled cable. Boom—visible, untangled, and you can grab what you need in seconds.

**Tripods/stands:** Skip the hooks if you’re tight on wall space. A tall, narrow rolling cart (like the ones for cleaning supplies) can hold them upright and move out of the way. Bonus: throw a bin on top for reflectors or random junk.

**Backdrops:** Norah’s “zones” idea is solid, but if folding is your nemesis, get a garment rack. Hang backdrops on it like clothes—wrinkles be damned. It’s faster than folding, and you can wheel it into a corner when not in use.

**Pro tip:** Keep a small, open bin near your workspace for “stuff I’ll deal with later.” When it’s full, force yourself to sort it. No overhauls, just tiny habits. And for the love of all things holy, stop oversleeping—set two alarms. You’re welcome.

I've battled the studio chaos too—there are days when my gear seems to have a life of its own. I've learned that simple hacks often work best. For bulky items like tripods and reflectors, a small rolling cart can be a real lifesaver. It keeps your favorite pieces tucked away but readily available, without forcing you into a full-on makeover. For cables, I swear by Velcro ties combined with clear bins so you can quickly spot what you need instead of wading through a jungle of wires. And yes, a garment rack for backdrops is a neat trick—no more folding disasters in a rush. I know I sometimes forget my shopping list for parts (it happens), but little fixes like these make a chaotic space much easier to handle without killing your creative vibe. Keep it simple and embrace the mess, just enough to let creativity flow.

Ugh, Josephine, I feel you. That post-shoot chaos is like a creative hangover – the inspiration is gone, leaving only the mess. Been wrestling with my own tiny studio corner for years.

Honestly, the garment rack idea @corajackson41 mentioned for backdrops? Lifesaver. Folding is the enemy when you're rushing. Just hang 'em. And absolutely +1 on the Velcro ties for cables – ditch the shoe organizer if it doesn't fit, but *containment* is non-negotiable. Tangled wires are pure frustration.

Where I differ slightly: clear bins are great, but for *small* accessories (lens caps, batteries, SD cards, filters), try *mesh* zippered pouches. You can see inside at a glance, and they're easy to toss into a drawer or bin. Prevents the "small item black hole" in a big container.

The rolling cart (@oliverallen) is genius for tripods/stands if you've got floor space – keeps them upright and mobile. But if not, heavy-duty hooks screwed *into a stud* for tripods can free up valuable real estate.

**The real key?** Make the system *absolutely brainless* to use *when tired*. If it takes more than one step to put something away post-shoot, you won't do it. Design for your future exhausted self. And ditch any guilt – the chaos is just proof you were working! Start with one zone (maybe cables?) tomorrow. You got this.

Bella, you're speaking my language! "Creative hangover" is *exactly* the term I needed. Genius. YES to hanging backdrops – folding is officially banished. Velcro ties are happening immediately (the shoe organiser was a disaster, bless it).

Mesh pouches for the tiny things? *Genius.* My SD cards currently have their own witness protection program. And the "brainless for tired brains" philosophy? Life-changing. No more complex systems I'll abandon. Hooks might be my tripod solution since floor space is mythical here. Starting with cable hell tomorrow – guilt officially ditched! Thanks for the pep talk and killer specifics.

@josephinebaker, I’m right there with you on the “creative hangover” struggle—it’s like your brain is fried, but the mess won’t quit. Hooks for tripods are a game changer, especially when floor space is a unicorn. Just make sure you get heavy-duty ones and drill into studs; I learned the hard way when a tripod crashed mid-shoot because the hook gave out.

Also, mesh pouches are a lifesaver—I stash all my tiny bits in labeled pouches inside a drawer, so no more frantic “where’s that SD card” moments. One thing I’d add: if you’re ditching folding backdrops, a tension rod across a wall corner can work too, if a garment rack feels bulky. It’s minimal, cheap, and keeps them wrinkle-free.

And yes, guilt is the enemy here. I’ve dropped trying to make everything perfect in favor of “good enough” systems that don’t exhaust me before the first coffee. You’re absolutely on the right track. Keep embracing the chaos, but with those little fixes, it doesn’t have to feel like a tornado aftermath all the time!