Handmade KX Pencil Rack: A Practical Storage Solution for Artists
Please note: This is a personal recommendation.
We are not affiliated in any way with this company and we do not sell or make this product ourselves.
As artists, we deeply understand the importance of proper storage for valuable art supplies. Our own experience with a steadily growing collection of coloured pencils quickly highlighted the limitations of previous, insufficient storage options. We found ourselves needing a solution that offered better protection and organisation for our cherished tools. After an extensive search, we were able to find a company that offered the perfect storage solution. This article provides a neutral, unbiased review of this product, based purely on our personal experience. We aren't affiliated with the company in any way, we simply want to share this product in the hope it offers useful information to fellow pencil artists seeking an effective storage solution, not only for their coloured pencils, but also for graphite pencils and pastel pencils.
Key Features of The Pencil Storage Chest
The pencil storage chests we acquired from Creations by Rod offer several key features that prove highly beneficial for artists:
- Versatile Design & Construction
- Efficient Pencil Organisation
- Generous Capacity & Versatility
- Customisable Storage
Design and Construction
Each storage unit is crafted by hand from high-quality MDF, complete with a solid back panel to ensure they stand the test of time and the drawers are well-supported on pairs of wooden runners. It measures 330mm height x 330mm width, with an overall depth of 225mm. They’re thoughtfully designed to slot perfectly into IKEA’s Kallax or Expedit cube systems, blending seamlessly with your existing studio or home setup. That said, their sturdy construction means they’re just as happy standing alone, giving you the freedom to use them wherever you prefer, be it a cosy corner of your craft room or a tidy office nook. The chest arrives fully assembled, built with robust joints and strong adhesive and the edges are carefully smoothed so you can pop it straight into place without any adaptations. All it needs is a quick wipe to clear away any stray dust from the workshop, and you’re ready to go! Since the chest is made from MDF, you have the option to customise the finish if that’s your thing. You can paint it, stain it, varnish it, or even turn it into a small canvas for your own design work. It’s handy if you want it to blend with your studio space or just enjoy putting your own stamp on things.
Effective Organisation
These chests are primarily designed to keep your pencils organised and protected while in storage. Each drawer features machine-routed grooves that gently hold the pencils in place. While the fit isn’t fully rigid, meaning pencils can shift slightly if the unit is knocked, they do sit securely enough to stay in place during normal use. The grooves help prevent them from rolling or colliding when opening and closing the drawer, which can reduce wear and minimise accidental damage to the pencil tips and barrels. If the main pencil rack isn’t within arm’s reach while you’re working, you can simply remove the drawers you need and stack them securely nearby. Each drawer will sit safely on top of another, allowing you to keep your pencils close at hand without dominating your workspace.
Capacity and Versatility
After months of searching for a storage solution that could keep up with our ever-growing stash of coloured pencils, we were genuinely impressed by what these units have to offer, particularly when it comes to capacity. Each chest contains ten pull-out drawers, all fully removable, with each drawer able to hold around 25 pencils comfortably. That brings the total to 250 pencils per unit, which is a significant help if, like us, you've built up a sizeable collection over time. Beyond the storage space, what stood out was the versatility. The drawers are designed to accommodate pencils up to 10mm in diameter, making them suitable not just for coloured pencils, but also for graphite and pastel pencils too. Whether your pencils are round-barrelled, hexagonal, or slightly chunkier, they sit neatly within the grooved slots. That groove design is what really elevates the usefulness of these chests. Unlike other storage chests, which are usually flat on the base, which makes the pencils more likely to roll and clash, the routed grooves help to keep each pencil in place. It’s easily the most practical and protective system we've ever found.
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Customisable Storage
The company also caters to the craft market, and all units follow consistent sizing, 330mm wide by 330mm high, with a depth of 225mm. This makes it easy to mix and match pieces depending on your workspace and storage needs. We’ve also added two Marker Racks to our setup, which we’ll be discussing in more detail in an upcoming blog post (a link will follow once available). Despite the compact footprint, these units offer a surprising amount of storage, making them a practical fit for most art or craft studios. Just take a look at the studio setups shared by Rod’s customers below. They’ve created some genuinely inspiring places to work, each tailored to their own creative needs.
About Creations by Rod
Creations by Rod, founded in 2008 by Rod Patient, operates from his custom workshop in Harrietsham, Kent. There, he works alongside a small, dedicated team. Before turning his expertise to crafting storage solutions for artists, Rod spent many years building wooden toys and furniture items for customers not just across the UK, but also throughout Europe and other parts of the world. Every item he designs and sells is entirely his own creation. Rod often shares that he's "been inspired by people's needs for an item that 'does the job' or fits a particular storage solution," and he actively encourages those interested in something bespoke to get in touch directly through his website. The two designs below, which was shared on his social media, are examples of bespoke creations, crafted by his company at the request of customers.
Creations by Rod currently offers an impressive range of 32 individual designs, with the KX Pencil Rack being just one of many thoughtfully built options. While their core audience is the creative community such as artists, crafters, illustrators, and designers alike, we’ve found that many of their products also work well for general storage needs. The clean lines, consistent sizing, and functional layouts lend themselves easily to a variety of studio setups beyond just art materials. As already mentioned, Rod welcomes enquiries for custom-made pieces, and it’s clear from the range that flexibility is part of his approach.
Below you'll find a selection of other popular units offered by Creations by Rod. They're not just built to serve a purpose, they’ve clearly been shaped by studio experience, with layouts that adapt to different workflows and storage styles. Our order arrived in under three weeks, which was impressive, but it’s worth noting that each unit is made to order, so delivery times can vary depending on how busy the workshop is. They produce everything on a first-come, first-served basis and don’t hold excess stock, so a bit of patience may be needed, especially if you’re ordering from outside the UK, where international shipping might extend the timeline.
Below you'll find a selection of other popular units offered by Creations by Rod. They're not just built to serve a purpose, they’ve clearly been shaped by studio experience, with layouts that adapt to different workflows and storage styles. Our order arrived in under three weeks, which was impressive, but it’s worth noting that each unit is made to order, so delivery times can vary depending on how busy the workshop is. They produce everything on a first-come, first-served basis and don’t hold excess stock, so a bit of patience may be needed, especially if you’re ordering from outside the UK, where international shipping might extend the timeline.
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Design Evolution
As long-standing customers of Rods KX Pencil Rack since 2013, we've observed the evolution of their design over time. The initial iteration was a free-standing unit featuring five drawers, providing capacity for 125 pencils. A subsequent design was developed to integrate seamlessly with IKEA Kallax units, significantly expanding storage capacity to the current 250 pencils. Following this, a third design introduced black plastic inserts, which were affixed to the bottom of each drawer. However, it appears the company has now reverted to the second design, where the MDF features machine-routed indents. The decision to remove the plastic inserts was likely driven by cost efficiencies or considerations regarding accessibility. It is common for product designs to undergo revisions, particularly when customer feedback plays a crucial role in business development.
Delivery & Shipping Information & Customer Support
- Ordering from within the UK? Enjoy free postage and packaging when you purchase directly through the official website.
- Based outside the UK? No problem—international customers can order via the eBay store, where affordable global shipping rates are available.
- Got questions about the KX Pencil Rack? Reach out to Rod directly at [email protected]. They're happy to assist with product details, ordering, or any other queries.
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While Creations by Rod mentions their products are individually handmade from MDF, their website does not currently provide specific details about the environmental certifications of the MDF they source (e.g., whether it's FSC-certified, made from recycled content, or uses low-formaldehyde adhesives). Without this specific information from the manufacturer, we cannot definitively state the environmental friendliness of the MDF they use. |
Updated: July 2025
