It’s Friday and that means another new gift build for the Handmade Holiday series from Ana White and me!
Today it’s an art center. And this build is awesome.
** Updated 11/10 link to stool plans here. **
This diy art center does double duty – it has a large workspace and tons of storage too! Three wide open shelves provide plenty of space for art supplies. And the workspace is big enough for three kiddos easily to sit and craft the day away.
The little stools are perfectly kid size with a 12″ seat height.
This entire art center is best suited for young kids ages 2-6.
Ana designed the plans to make this build easy as pie, the workspace tabletop is one 3/4″ plywood handy panel measuring 2′ x 4′. You purchase the panel and it’s ready to go – no cutting, no measuring.
See all that shelf space? Plenty of room for supplies.
And a handy bin up top that’s easily accessible for kids.
Because Ana and I have a quick turnaround on the Handmade Holiday builds I choose not to finish this art center and I’m actually loving the raw edge of the plywood, especially on the stool seats.
Inspired by this Guidecraft Deluxe Art Center:
Their version retails for $450 (and currently on backorder) but you can make your own diy art center for $85 using Ana’s free plans.
How to build a kids art center with stools:
Step 1: Build the table apron. Inset the 1×2 aprons 3/4″ or flush to the inside back of each leg.
Step 2: Attach apron/legs to table top.
Step 3: Build the shelf. Attach all pieces to one side first.
Step 4: Then attach other side piece.
Step 5: Add the table cleat at 20 1/4″ from the floor and flush to the front. This will hold the table level and alleviates the need to attach the table to the shelf. Use glue and finish nails.
Above is the cleat with the table in place.
For the stools cut the pieces as per Ana’s plans.
I’m definitely thinking those seat backs need a little handle cutout!
Be sure to sand everything well especially all the corners. Leave unfinished as I did or seal up as desired.
Check back every Friday for a new Handmade Holiday gift build.
Korrie@RedHenHome says
October 24, 2014 at 8:14 PMWhat a fun idea! Great work.
LZ Cathcart says
November 8, 2014 at 2:02 AMI definitely need one of these! Great tutorial and I can only imagine how much use it will get 🙂
Erin says
November 9, 2014 at 12:13 AMI'm building this for my girls for Christmas. My eldest daughter is about to be 6 and is on the taller side… Do you think increasing the height of the stools and table a few inches would work well? My youngest daughter is 2 and I'm sure will get a lot of use out of this, but I want to make sure my older daughter is comfy too 🙂