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How To Make A Kids Art Desk With A Door

This is the story of a door turned desk turned tinier desk. When Clara came down with a case of the coloring bug a few weeks ago, it became clear that she needed an alternate surface for her artistry than the floor. You know, just in case she didn’t feel like tummy-drawing.

Coloring Sprawled Out

We talked about a few fun play tables over on BabyCenter a couple of weeks ago, but finally found the inspiration that we needed to DIY one right in front of our eyes. And no, it wasn’t this leftover-plywood-slash-side-table combo that Sherry rigged up in about 30 seconds of “hey, maybe this will work!” Sorry, Sherry. #playtablefail. Back to the drawing board…

CDesk 1 Plywood

Actually, this was our inspiration. The desk that we built with an old door for our first house’s office, that’s been getting the cold shoulder ever since we DIYed a newer, bigger desk for our current house’s office (which made this one look oddly tiny and cramped). It had been sitting at the opposite end of our dining room for a while – just waiting to somehow be repurposed (or craigslisted).

CDesk 3 Old Desk In Dining

Well, this was its lucky day. It was too tall and too long, but since it was something that we cut to size the first time around, we figured… why not tweak it again? So we set off to create a miniature version of it. But we had a few requirements for it (like for it to be able to be used while Clara’s sitting or standing like a true activity table, to be big enough to seat a few other kiddos, to be sturdy and solid and safe, and to not be too precious – so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Clara broke out a permanent marker on it one day). After chatting about a game plan with Sherry for a while (to figure out the right width for a few kids and the right height for standing & chairs), I lugged it down to my basement workshop and starting disassembling it.

CDesk 4 Unscrewing

CDesk 5 Taken Apart

Then I used the miter saw to cut the legs down a few inches.

CDesk 6 Cutting Legs

CDesk 7 Legs Cut

Then I had to cut down the tabletop (aka, the old door). For this I broke out my beloved table saw.

CDesk 8 Cutting Top

CDesk 9 Table Cut

With my top and legs trimmed down to kiddy sizes, I just had to cut down the support pieces (aka: the aprons) and screw everything back together again.

CDesk 10 Putting Together

Oh and I did have to patch the open end of the door this time (when it was our desk we just left the end open because it faced the wall, so nobody saw it – and the room was so tiny that no one could get back there). But that wasn’t going to fly with little wandering hands around. So I cut a thin strip of spare plywood and nailed it into place. Once it’s all painted, it should look pretty good.

CDesk 11 End Piece

So with that (and zero dollars spent) Clara’s new coloring desk was complete. Well, mostly.

CDesk 12 After Straight

It still needs a fresh coat of paint. And we’re leaning towards (can you handle this?) white, so that we can make the $5 yard sale chairs the colorful accent instead of the table itself. Although Clara has done some crayon scribbling on the top that’s so cute it makes us want to tell her to go nuts and then use some sort of clear sealer to keep the doodles around forever. So we’ll have keep you posted if/when we make a decision…

CDesk 13 After Top

There’s something really charming about the fact that it was made from an old linen closet door from our first house (where we brought Clara home from the hospital and raised her for her first seven months of life). That’s one sentimental table. And we love that Clara now has her own pint-sized parson’s desk when our adult-sized one (from West Elm) sits on the other side of the living room. It’s like a mini-desk for our mini-me.

Living Room1

Oh and you may remember these yard sale chairs that we scored back in the summer. We actually used them to build the desk at the right height for those chairs (and for playing while standing too – you know we like things that multitask). So it’s nice to have two chairs that already work. You know so if Clara’s baby BFF’s drop by we’re ready (we can also pull the desk away from the wall if kids want to face each other or we want to add more chairs in the future).

CDesk 14 Chairs

They don’t look half bad as-is (one has been stained yellow while the other was stained an evergreen color and they’re both pretty worn) so they might stick around like that for a while. We did debate painting/staining them someday, but it doesn’t seem to matter to Clara either. She fell in love with her new spot from the first second she laid eyes on it. Must be nice to wake up from a nap to something that was custom built just for you.

CDesk 15 Clara Smiling

But seriously, look at that face. Does it not make you want to build something for her too?

We’re leaving the desk here in the living room for now because it was an empty spot and it’s convenient for her to color while we relax work on the couch/clean up/prepare dinner in the nearby kitchen, etc. But we made sure to keep the desk small enough so that it could also slip into her room, the future playroom, the kitchen, or just about anywhere else that we may want to place it as she grows.

CDesk 16 Full Room

Wanna know the best part of this project? Besides it being 100% free, we got the entire thing done in one day. From concept to completion. Man did that feel good. Especially with a certain other project that’s taking several months (cough…thekitchen…cough…cough). Although now that this is done, it’s back to cutting trim and sanding wood putty. More on that stuff for ya tomorrow.

Comments

  1. Amy Rode says

    hmmm – i was on vacay a while, so perhaps I missed it – but when did you switch out kermit for that cute new rug? and do tell, where did you get it?

    Reply

  2. elaine says

    Love it! So great that it has that sentimental element and also perfect that you got to use your new mini chairs! Clara looks adorable colouring at her new ‘big girl desk’ :)

    Reply

  5. Megan H says

    That is adorable! And I’m thinking it could be used for a “cousin’s table” at holiday dinners once the kids are old enough to feed themselves :) Maybe right in the dining room or in the kitchen where you can see them!

    Reply

  7. Ted says

    The table is adorable. Nice job, John.

    Just a thought…I would paint the top with black chalkboard paint so that she could write/draw on it with chalk if she wanted. Then with a wipe of a sponge, it would become a regular table again.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  11. Ever - The red house by the lake says

    I once saw an IKEA Lack table (you know, the small square ones) painted in blackboard-paint. I guess you dont want to paint this one black, but it looked great and a fun way to let the kids write in the table (and since chalk crayons wouldnt stick to other surfaces, I think you would be safe id she forgets which table to paint on).

    Reply

  13. Petra says

    Looks great! When I went into the Holiday button on your website, the third column on the far right side seems cut off… not sure if it was normal?

    Reply

  14. Kristin says

    So cute! What a great idea guys. Love the idea of a full sized desk AND a mini desk in the same room. So glad Clara loves it! Now will you come build something for me during my naptime ;-)! Ha!

    Reply

  16. natalie says

    where are the lime green and turquoise vase from on the desk in the living room? i never noticed those before. very cute

    Reply

  17. jess says

    That little excited face sitting at her little desk I’m sure was the deciding factor that she loved it and you guys did a good job! So precious.

    Reply

  19. Jessica says

    I love the idea of haveing Clara scribble on the top of the desk then sealing it in…. so memorable and definitely one of a kind!

    Reply

  21. Beth says

    Love the Clara pic!
    There is nothing better than a designated color/craft/mess/game space for the kids! Now that my kids are a little older (and have outgrown their toddler table), we use the old kitchen table from my parents house. I love that they use the table that I poked constellation shaped holes in when I was a kid!

    Reply

  22. Mona Alicia says

    Oh, that is the cutest expression on her face, love, love, it! I bet you anything she notices the similarities between her desk and your West Elm one and feels super special to have one of her own.

    Reply

  23. Kerry says

    Darling! Wouldn’t a black chalkboard in a cute frame right above the desk look just darling?? It could be an added piece of artwork in the room, would play off of Karl in the opposite end of the room, and be fun for Clara when she is a little taller!

    Have a blessed Christmas!

    Reply

  26. em says

    I say seal the table now, before Clara adds her personal touches. This is because someday Clara will have a little brother or sister sharing that table and I’d feel bad for the little one not having had a chance to participate. My kids are 3 years apart (1.5 and 4.5) and I have tried not to personalize things that are shared (so, no names, gender-specific colors, etc.)

    Reply

  27. Carrie says

    Oh so cute! I want a mini parsons desk! This is something that she could eventually pass on to her kids! Love the sentiment behind it!
    I actually have two big dogs and want to build them a raised feeding station and had the idea of a small parson’s style table. Of course I still have figured out how to so the circles for their bowls to fit in… My dad will probably have to help me with that one. I just don’t like the plastic feeders and the more modern sleek ones are too much money for my cheap self!
    I like the chairs as is for now but I really want to paint them teal. Which is funny since they aren’t mine and all. :)

    Reply

  28. Moriah says

    Love her desk! My son is using a coffee table from World market. just the right height and styled exactly like our entertainment center so it fits right in! very cool guys.

    Reply

  29. Kelsey says

    So cute! It’s fun to see a different angle of your living room – we don’t see that one that often. I love the exposed brick of the fireplace. Doesn’t it feel a little dangerous when Clara gives you such a satisfying reaction to a surprise for her? My daughter responds with such enthusiasm to even Big Bird socks from Target’s dollar section that it’s so hard to keep myself in check and not spoil her rotten! :)

    Reply

  31. Elliott P. says

    I think you all should sit at the little desk, that was a big desk, that was a door, and read Clara a book called “Joseph had a Little Overcoat” by Simms Taback.
    About a guy who had a coat, which turned into a jackets, which turned into a vest, which turned into a scarf, etc., etc. Very, very cute and clearly right up your alley!
    Merry Christmas.

    Reply

  32. Jody says

    Cute table. You can get “dry-erase” mac-tac type stuff from some dollar stores. Maybe a layer of that would help until she can stay in the lines more? And you can change it out whenever the current layer gets too marked up/unwashable.

    Reply

  34. Donita says

    I love the picture of Clara laying on her tummy, coloring. She is left handed, love that too. :-) The table is precious, great job!!!

    Reply

  35. Sarah Ray says

    it looks great! i picked up some paint at the hardware store this morning and this whiteboard paint caught my eye: http://www.ideapaint.com/

    this could be a great paint technique for the top of your table. clara could go crazy with dry erase markers and you could wipe it clean for formal entertaining. good luck!

    girlandgreatdane.blogspot.com

    Reply

  36. Melissa Evans says

    Love this post SO MUCH! So cute that Clara is into coloring now!…and even cuter that she’s drawn on her new table…and you guys may seal it with her drawings on it…love that idea! SO CUTE!

    Reply

  37. alex says

    So how long will Clara sit and color for…i mean, obviously she’s still quite young but I was just wondering if she is a diligent artist that switches colors or is it like…scribble, scribble…turn the page…scribblescribble…turn the page All with one color?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, she loves switching crayons and pages. Sometimes she likes us to color with her, or draw letters which she sort of scribbles over. She’s probably done at her desk after 20 minutes or so, but that’s a huge chunk of time in our world!

      xo,
      s

  38. Donna says

    Awwww! My new favorite post. She is such a little doll. Hey, are you guys still entertaining the idea of making her a little kitchen set? I think the desk came out wonderful, and she looks so happy!

    Reply

    • Tara S says

      Ooooh that’s exciting. I have total faith that you will get it done. Clara is one lucky girl. My Dad made my 20 month daughter a play kitchen for Christmas this year. I can’t wait to see her face when she sees it. I spread the word about the kitchen to her Aunt’s and Uncle’s and they are generously stocking it with play food. Seeing the smile on her face will be priceless.

      Love Clara’s table!! Great job, John.

  40. Kara from kara paslay designs says

    Hey Petersiks! I totally understand the chairs being the focus and pop of color from a design standpoint. But I LOVE the idea to let Clara go Picasso on the whole thing and then sealing it up. I think your home should first and foremost represent you and your story. Maybe let her doodle on a piece of paper that fits the top of the desk and then cover it with glass so you can change it out as she grows. I’m sure whatever you decide will be beautiful!

    Reply

  42. Jessica says

    Thank you for the inspiration!!! I’ve always been so freaked out if my two little graffiti artists ‘decorated’ anything in the house except for paper {my armoire and walls have been ‘redesigned’ so many times–thank God for magic erasers} I think I’m showing this to my hubby, we’ve for certain got something laying around!!
    BTW: The living room looks so beautiful with all your new switcharoos!!! AND I’m pretty sure Clara is the best addition :) That smile is sure a tear jerker!!

    Merry Christmas to you guys :)

    Reply

  43. Nicole Y. says

    oh man… the size of the table before it shrunk to Clara size would’ve been a perfect console table for my house! hahah But I guess Clara deserves it more than we do :)

    Reply

  44. steph says

    I must not use that word very often, because I totally looked at it and thought “tinier” was some French term I didn’t know :-)

    Reply

  49. Julie B. says

    I started flipping through links on this page and went to another and another and another. Interesting thing I noticed –back in your original house you made some art for your guest bedroom (the post title was “so fresh and so green”. It is crazy to me (but I’m weird like that) that you’re DIY art in that post is almost identical to the green rug in your living room now. One of those ‘meant to be’/’we knew it in a past life’ things with that green rug you have now:)

    Reply

  50. partyofsix says

    Great project. There’s a typo between the full room picture and the picture of the chairs: “We used them to built…”, change to ‘build’. Love the chairs as they are. One idea might be to get a piece of tempered glass cut to fit the table top. You can use it to slide her art or fun pictures underneath. Plus you can clean it a lot easier than wood. We have a table like that for 4 kids and it has worked well. Just make sure it’s tempered glass (just in case).

    Reply

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