Even for those who are most tolerant of clutter, there will come a point where too many things in our immediate environment will seem oppressively chaotic, causing feelings of frustration and distraction. Moreover, our things can become elusive. They are covered in dust or crumpled or forgotten. They are attacked by mildew, moth or marauders.

Some storage preserves the physical properties of the materials, some preserves health and safety, while others preserve the feel of the working environment.

Opus would like to offer some suggestions of equipment that can help in the preservation of the materials of your imagination.

Papers are extremely prone to damage as a result of improper storage, and once damaged are often hardest to salvage. Paper drawers (or flat files) keep papers dust and crease free. At Opus we provide paper drawers that will accommodate both the standard 22"x30" papers, and also drawers that will accommodate over-sized papers, up to 30"x44". For some, however, paper drawers are too much of a stretch for either the budget or the space available or both.

Some alternative possibilities include such containers as Neutracore acid-free cardboard portfolios, Cachet Kraft portfolios or folders made from acid-free matboards, which can then be stored flat on or under tables or counters, or even under the bed. If you work with smaller formats, the sizes of your chosen containers need only be large enough for you to be able to put the sheets in and take them out without hurting them. Interleaving acid-free tissue between your works on paper will also help to protect them over time, as it helps to prevent the impurities from one paper leaching into another.

Shelving or cupboards where temperatures do not drop too low or soar too high will help keep paints at their best. Acrylic paints may pose a storage problem when stored in jars. Excluding air as much as possible will help keep the paints at their best. When the level in a jar has gotten quite low, cover the surface with plastic to prevent a skin forming. You can also transfer paint from larger to smaller containers to reduce the amount of surface exposed to air. This is particularly handy when you make up batches of mixed colours. Opus stocks a selection of plastic screw-top jars in different sizes. Don't forget to label all containers with the contents after you have transferred your paints!

To protect tube paints from loss and damage, keeping them in a storage box is an excellent idea. While keeping them in the drawers of a desk or other piece of furniture is certainly an option, a box with a handle is versatile, as it can be taken out on painting trips. Some choices at Opus include the Pro Art boxes and the Plastic Art boxes, (both similar in style to fishing tackle boxes), made from sturdy plastic with folding or removable trays with compartments to hold tubes, pencils, erasers, and bottom areas for larger items. The large Plastic Art box has a removable tray that doubles as a lid for a water container/brush cleaner that sits in the bottom of the box when not in use, making it highly efficient for both storage and field trips. Another option is to use wooden boxes with compartments of various configurations for larger or smaller items. Opus has a selection of such boxes to choose from, including Art Advantage Painting boxes, the Pro Art Cherry Wood box and the Bass Wood and Elm Wood boxes.

For those who are restricted in their storage options by lack of space, choosing dual purpose items is an excellent idea. Choose an easel that incorporates a storage box into its structure. This will allow you to store paints, palette and brushes without losing any valuable working floor space, and be ready to head out the door at a moment's notice if the need or desire arises. These are available in both floor and table models, such as Winsor & Newton's Windrush Sketch Box and Swale Table Easels, and our Garibaldi Sketchbox Easel.

Improper storage can take a heavy toll on brushes. When you are using them every day in a studio setting, the jar or vase holding a "bouquet" of brushes is quite all right, since they are being regularly used and cleaned. However, if there is any chance that they will sit for lengthy periods of time without being used, or will be packed for travel, it is imperative that you take care how you pack them away. An enclosed container will protect brushes from becoming dusty and from attack by moths in the case of natural hairs. In all cases, whether packing for storage or travel, make sure the container chosen does not crush the brush head. Some brush storage/carrying options include canvas or bamboo roll-ups, plastic telescoping brush tubes and brush boxes. At Opus we also stock dual purpose brush cleaners and holders designed for care and organization of brushes in use. The Daler Rowney and Loew Cornell brush tubs both offer the convenience of a container for water or other solvents combined with holders round the rim to set the brush handles in while not in use. Remember never to store wet brushes in air tight containers. Let them dry thoroughly before putting them away.

Pastels are classified as soft or hard, but all require care in handling and storage. Even the harder types will break, and the very soft can positively crumble. Boxes with slots or foam inserts to keep pastels from breaking and crumbling will protect what can be a large financial investment. The Pro Art Boxes, Plastic Art Boxes and Advantage Art Boxes can be adapted for pastels by lining the compartments with foam or felt padding (from your local fabric store) or with corrugated cardboard inserts. The Plywood Art Box and the Plywood Art Box with a folding tray are both excellent for this purpose, having shallow compartments that will take a large number of pastels.

There are many storage tips and tricks to be found in other areas of creative (or even non-creative) endeavour. Take a look on the Internet. There are sites where artists exchange ideas on how to organize and store their materials. Visit other artists' studios. Look into ideas for organizing kitchens, woodworking shops and even gardening. You will find a lot of great ideas that can be adapted for the artist's studio.

The two most important things to keep in mind when organizing your storage are function and comfort. What works for you, keeping your materials in good condition and at the ready, without making you feel burdened with a level of housekeeping beyond your wishes? The answer to this question will be different for each of us.