How to Plan Your Sewing Room Redesign

When we first set up our studio years ago, we went with affordable IKEA furniture. It served its purpose—but as our projects (and fabric stash!) grew, we quickly realized it wasn’t ideal. The shelves sagged under the weight of supplies, the work surfaces weren’t at the right height for comfort, and nothing was built with sewists in mind.

So, we started dreaming. We measured, sketched layouts, and asked ourselves: what would make this space not just functional, but truly joyful to use?

The day the Arrow furniture arrived felt like Christmas morning. We carefully unboxed each piece, rolled them into place, and watched the studio transform!

Meet the Kookaburra Cutting Table—the heart of our new space.

With an expansive 70" x 40" work surface, the Kookaburra gives me room to spread out for even the biggest bag-making projects. The table folds down to a compact 20" x 40" when not in use, which makes it easy to adapt to any room size.

Why I love it:

• It has eight sturdy casters that make it easy to move around.

• Its four drawers and four rear shelves provide lots of storage for thread, rulers, tools, zippers, fabric, and patterns.

• It looks as beautiful as it is functional—a true piece of “modern heritage” design!

We paired it with the  MAT-K Cutting Mat, which is perfectly sized to protect the surface and makes cutting precise! This Cutting Mat is a heavy-duty, pinnable mat with clear grid markings for accuracy.

For me, the star of the room is the Kangaroo & Joey Dual Rail Electric Sewing Cabinet.

Here’s why:

• The programmable dual-rail electric lift lets me set four height settings for my sewing machines. With the touch of a button, my cabinet is in the perfect position for sewing, quilting, or free-motion work.

• The rear quilt leaf extends the workspace so large projects don’t slide onto the floor.

• The Joey rolling caddy is a convenient accessory for organizing and storage, with three drawers, and tucks neatly away when it's not being used.

This cabinet is built to last—it has heavy-duty casters, a spacious work surface, and a design that’s elegant and practical. I can’t imagine tackling a big project without it!

If you’ve ever sewn for hours and stood up with a sore back, you know how important a good chair is. That’s why the Lady Gray Hydraulic Sewing Chair is truly my all-time favorite!

It’s adjustable, offers amazing lumbar support, and has plush cushioning that makes long sewing sessions comfortable. Plus, there’s an additional storage compartment under the seat to stash small notions such as your fabric scissors!

Since switching to this chair, my back pain while sewing has disappeared. Honestly—I can’t recommend it enough!

All of this gorgeous furniture deserves a machine that can keep up. My go-to is the bernette 08, the powerhouse straight stitch machine. With 2,000 stitches per minute and the ability to sew through vinyl and multi-layered fabrics with ease, it’s my bag-making dream machine!

We even have a custom insert for the Kangaroo cabinet, so the Bernette 08 sits flush with the work surface! So, no more shifting seams or awkward angles!

Beyond function, we wanted the studio to feel beautiful—a place that inspired creativity just by stepping inside. Our studio design was inspired by a modern heritage aesthetic:

• Soft neutral tones of gray and white.

• Natural textures like wood, aged pottery, and woven baskets.

• A mix of timeless pieces with modern lines for balance.

This style feels calming and organized while still warm and welcoming. It’s the perfect backdrop for creativity!

If you’re ready to create your own makerspace, here are a few tips to get started:

1. Measure your space and think about how you want to move around it.

2. Choose furniture that adapts—like folding leaves, rolling caddies, and lift cabinets.

3. Prioritize comfort with a supportive chair and ergonomic setup.

4. Layer in your style with colors, textures, and personal touches that make the space feel like you.

Arrow Sewing Furniture has so many options to fit your needs and your room layout, whether you’re working with a cozy corner or a full studio. You can shop directly at  arrowsewing.com or find a local retailer to preview their furniture in person before you decide!