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Kids’ Craft Corner Reveal

Kids' Craft Corner Reveal

I am always on the look out for systems in our home that are not working…you know, like that cabinet you dread opening because stuff always topples out on you or that appliance you never use because it’s too hard to access. Our house has its fair share of systems that could use improvement, but one I was eager to tackle was Connor’s craft supplies.

He has gotten into drawing more and more lately–an activity I definitely want to encourage–but he wasn’t taking full advantage of his new-found interest because, well, it was a pain to get to his materials. Con’s craft supplies were formerly housed in a bin in his closet, and though I attempted to reorganize it several times, it always ended up looking like this:

Craft Bin Before

Not only was it hard to find what he needed because the bin was such a jumbled mess, but we also had to keep the bin facing the back of the closet so baby C wouldn’t cover the whole house in markers. Talk about inconvenient!

I wanted to give Con a space where he could easily “create” any time he wanted to, so I started looking around online for kids’ craft organization ideas and was inspired by this photo from Modern Parents Messy Kids:

I liked that the crayons, markers, and paper were always within reach, yet still organized, and I LOVED that there was an area for the kids to display their artwork. Keeping these ideas in mind, we made some adjustments to fit our own space and came up with…

Craft Area For Kids

Because we had many of the pieces, this makeover only cost us about $20, and I think it was well worth it!

Even more than I love the bright colors, straight lines, and open accessibility, I loved Connor’s reaction when he first saw it. He stood there for ten minutes checking out each individual piece and was just in awe. He pointed to all of the different colors of paper and his coloring books, repeatedly removed the markers and crayons and put them back in their spots, and took down each of the magnetic containers to see what was inside before carefully returning them to their original homes. It was such a joy to watch him get so excited about his space.

We hung a few clipboards so he could showcase his work, and when I went into his room this morning, I already had a couple of masterpieces waiting for me:

Art Work Displayed

A future Picasso, maybe? 😉

The IKEA magazine rack that I talked about on Monday was the perfect choice to keep the construction paper and coloring books corralled and easily available at the same time:

Construction Paper and Magnets

And, believe it or not, I hadn’t even remembered that my inspiration photo used these magnetic containers! We had some sitting around from another project, and they were the a great addition to hold stamps, beading supplies, and Caleb’s short, fat crayons.

I am thrilled that we were able to take a crazy mess of rarely used craft supplies and organize them in such a fun and functional way so that the C’s can make the best use out of them.

Craft Supplies Before and After

Here are the items we used for this transformation:

  • Table- old, Christmas present
  • Clipboards- old, dressed up with printed duct tape from Target Dollar Spot
  • Rail and Cups- IKEA Bygel series
  • Magazine Rack- IKEA Kvissle, dressed up with printed duct tape from Target Dollar Spot
  • Magnetic Containers- old, originally from Michael’s
  • Magnetic Strip- old, amazon.com

[Psssttt… Don’t miss our top 100 tips for organizing every single room in your house!]

What’s your favorite tip for keeping kids’ craft supplies organized?

60 Comments

  1. This is awesome Abby! Wish I had little ones at home!! Great job!!
    ~~Angela

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you so much, Angela!!

      ~Abby =)

  2. This is great Abby, I am in the process of building/making a playroom for Adrian and had something similar in mind for an arts & crafts corner, he loves to draw/scribble already but I’m already losing a bunch of crayons and markers under furniture so I need to find a better place for them. I love it 🙂

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Cat! Can you believe our babies are getting old enough to even do crafts like this!? I feel like we were just pregnant with them! Thanks for reading!

      ~Abby =)

  3. What a fun crafting station! I want one for me. 😉

    1. abbylawson says:

      I’ll be right over. Just gotta stop by IKEA really quick… 😉

      ~Abby =)

  4. Emily @ My Love for Words says:

    Love it!! I also love how you personalized the pieces and took them beyond what you can buy in the store. Super cute. Must be that “sassy” style haha 😉 I’m totally copying this asap

    1. abbylawson says:

      Yep, I’m sooo sassy. 😉 Thanks so much, Emily!!

      ~Abby =)

  5. Great job and love it. Right now I dump all my daughter’s art things into a basket. It is definitely motivating for me to see your craft area!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Vera! We were doing “the dump” for a while too! 😉 Thanks for reading!!

      ~Abby =)

  6. Emma (Glitter and Gold) says:

    wow I love it . . . so cute and not an eyesore!!! I have to do something like this for my girls art supplies! New to your blog and love it, stop by and say hello sometime.

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Emma! Hopping over to your blog now!

      ~Abby =)

  7. Beth Anne says:

    Abby, this is adorable! Just love it. The colors and patterns are great!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Beth Anne!! I just saw your exciting news on Facebook and am beyond THRILLED for you guys! Thanks for checking out my blog!!

      ~Abby =)

  8. KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family says:

    What a great transformation! I love the space you created and that he now has a place to create and a place to display the creations.
    I would love if you would share this at my link party. https://www.realcoake.com/2013/03/real-family-fun-6.html
    Take care,
    KC

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much, KC! I linked up!

      ~Abby =)

      1. KC @ Real Coake says:

        Thanks so much for coming by and linking up!
        KC

        1. abbylawson says:

          You’re welcome! Thank you so much for hosting, KC!

          ~Abby =)

  9. Hopped over from Shabby Creek Cottage. Very cute! I love the paper holder folders on the wall, and using clipboards is a really great idea!!
    Krista @thehappyhousie.com

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much for coming over, Krista! Hope you’re having a great day!

      ~Abby =)

  10. Michele @ Moonfield Lane says:

    This is so adorable! I love everything you’ve done. The duct tape clipboards are such a great idea. I’ve seen that duct tape at Target but I wasn’t sure what I’d do with it. Now I know! Conner is going to love creating here!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Michelle! He sure is having fun with it so far! Thanks so much for coming by the blog!

      ~Abby =)

  11. Kelly @ View Along the Way says:

    Wow, I would totally do crafts in that spot! 🙂 Looks so cute. Come do my crafts next please! haha

    1. abbylawson says:

      Just a sec, I’m coming right over! 😉 I’ll trade you…I’ll make a craft space for you, and you can duplicate your amazing laundry room in my house, mmmk? Lol. Thank you so much for stopping by the blog, Kelly! Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  12. Nancy@ThereIsGrace says:

    Oh, this is fantastic! I so need to do this with our vast supply of art supplies. Thank you for sharing. I’m stopping by from the Happy and Blessed Home link-up.

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much, Nancy! I’m so glad you stopped over! Have a great weekend!!

      ~Abby =)

  13. Wow! I am totally pinning this for future reference! I am definitely going to need this in the next year or 2 for my toddler’s things! Thanks for linking up at Domestic Superhero this week!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Allyson! Hope you have a great weekend!!

      ~Abby =)

  14. A Proverbs 31 Wife says:

    Wow! What a difference, I’m sure it feels like he can actually create something there now!

    1. abbylawson says:

      It sure does! He is doing crafts so much more now–so fun! Thanks for stopping by the blog!

      ~Abby =)

  15. Georgette says:

    This is so adorable! I bet Jen over on iheartorganizing would love seeing this! I love when kids areas can be nice and tidy:)

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Georgette! That is the highest compliment you could ever give me! Jen is my “blogging hero”! 🙂 Thanks for reading my blog!

      ~Abby =)

  16. Jessi @ Practically Functional says:

    I’m loving those hanging cups for crayons and stuff! What a great art station!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Jessi! It has worked really well for my boys so far! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  17. Eva @ Snappee Turtle says:

    Love this! I need to do this in our toddler’s room! Between she and I, our art stuff is everywhere! ❤
    Xo,
    Eva

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Eva! I know what you mean…craft supplies take over so quickly! Thank you for reading!

      ~Abby =)

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  19. Ellora @Creatively Southern says:

    What an adorable craft station! I love it! And those hanging cups are awesome! Thanks for sharing. I’m always looking for more ideas to organize my little girl’s playroom!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Ellora! My little guys are having a blast with it! Thank you so much for stopping over!

      ~Abby =)

  20. Diana Rambles says:

    Awesome organization!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you! Have a great week, Diana!

      ~Abby =)

  21. How fun!! Great space for the kiddos!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much, Katie! Hope you had a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  22. Eva Marie Scott says:

    It all looks really great! Love how you’re storing your paper. Ours is shoved in a drawer. Great inspiration!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Eva! It is definitely better than our previous storage method, lol. Have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

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  24. How high is the magazine rack hung for the paper? Can your oldest reach this without climbing on the chair? Currently doing the drawer dump/keep little sister out of the markers dance!

    1. abbylawson says:

      We know all about that dance around here, lol! The bottom of the rack is 44″ off the ground. My oldest can reach the first three slots without climbing on anything. (He’s a tall 4 year old!) Hope this helps! Have a wonderful weekend, Hillary!

      ~Abby =)

  25. Dawn @ Inspired Living says:

    I love this project! My boys are the same age as yours! Anyway, I had a dream before Colton, the youngest, was born, that I would create a craft corner. This motivates me to add it back to the list, for before winter. Right now we are outside a lot but we will need this when the weather turns!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Dawn! That really means a lot coming from you–I love your style! Congratulations on all of your big features recently! They are very well deserved. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

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  27. An organized space always feels so much better . . .great job and thanks for linking up!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, Emily! I’m so flattered! Thank you for writing such an inspiring blog!

      ~Abby =)

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  30. Oh Abby! This is such a darling and happy little nook to craft and get creative! I just love it!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Jen! Thank you so much! Your sweet comment totally made my day! This system has been going strong for us for a year now, and we’re loving it! It looks a little different now that we re-did the boys’ room (https://justagirlandherblog.com/ikea-big-boy-room-makeover-reveal/), but we knew it was one of the elements we definitely had to keep no matter what else changed. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Happy first day of spring!

      ~Abby =)

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  32. ashley lee says:

    I am in love with this set up! Super cute and tidy. OH AND ORGANIZED! I need to do something like this for my kids.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thanks so much, Ashley!

      ~Abby =)

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