DIY Art Supply Shelf

I am sure many of you have an area where you keep coloring stuff for your kids--here is mine


What a NIGHTMARE--something has to be done! What is it THEY say--you can't expect everything to be in its place if everything doesn't have a place.

That is when I walked into the garage and inspiration struck. I saw three pails that I used last Spring for flowers and a leftover piece of MDF--art supply shelf came to me, and even better it would be free because I already had everything I needed.

Here is how I did it:

Cut MDF to length, mine were 24". I used a 1x6 for the shelf and a 1x2 for the ledger.

Install ledger making sure it is level. Make sure you screw into studs or use drywall anchors.


Now it is time to cut holes in the shelf for the pails to sit in. Decide how big you want your circle, drill a whole for the jigsaw to fit through then cut. It was at this point I realized I still need a little work with the jigsaw. My first circle was a little rough, but they got better.


Clamp it to the workbench to hold it still for drilling and cutting.


Now it is time to install the shelf to the ledger. I just pre-drilled holes and then screwed it in. I found it a little difficult to get close to the wall to get the screws tight enough so I broke out the socket wrench-it worked like a charm.

Paint, and you are ready to organize.

I added a magazine holder to the wall to hold coloring books and paper. So far so good--now everything has a place now lets see if stuff makes it back in, and don't worry, I put outlet covers in the outlet after I was done using them.



Here are a couple of pictures of their little coloring nook.


The pails came from the Target dollar spot last year. Now I might have to spruce them like The Loyd Collection did to hers. They are super cute. If you don't have a magazine holder laying around check out Generally Creative she has a great post on a DIY option.

I'm linking up here:

It Is So Very Cheri- It' So Very Creative