Organizing Craft Room

Updated on August 27, 2013
J.G. asks from Chicago, IL
7 answers

Next weekend, we are going to remove the guest bed from the office and turn the room into a crafting/art room for the kids. We need an actual crafting space, and then a desk to put another computer (or two) on. Hubby would like to buy actual drafting desks for the kids. I am leaning towards a long, rectangular table, and then a small desk for the computers. Since I homeschool, and unschool at that, it's important that I design the space in a very child-friendly, Montessori way. I want them to just come in the room and feel free to do whatever, be it painting, drawing, a science experiment, etc. I bought a craft storage system that I'm going to fill with objects they are free to use whenever --keeping the more expensive and needing supervision stuff in other storage bins.

But I'm torn about the tables. hubby thinks the kids should each have their own table to prevent fighting over space. He may be right, since our oldest isn't much of a sharer.

Suggestions?

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

I think setting up stations for activities is better than necessarily individual tables. Giving in to a child who doesn't like to share and trying to keep kids from fighting prevents them from working out issues and learning to compromise, an important social skill. This is what would happen in a standard classroom, and homeschoolers need to learn the same skills. You should have something functional, not something designed to prevent any possibility of conflict or designed so that your older one can go in without yelling "MINE!" and reserving a spot!

If they can't work it out, can you set up a kind of schedule at least in terms of what areas they use, not so much what they do with them? I would think a long table would allow each of them to work at the opposite end (and occasionally together), and still have a desk set aside for the computer.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Do you have an Ikea near by? They have fantastic and affordable desks and tables in many sizes, heights and shapes that can be customized in many ways. I love, love, love Ikea for these types of spaces!
Personally, I think a shared work space is better, ESPECIALLY for a child who has a hard time sharing. I'm sure she has plenty of her OWN things and spaces (bed, room, closet, toys, etc.) so there's no reason why she can't learn how to share certain things, and crafting by nature is a communal activity, isn't it? I mean, she can have her own creations and her own little work area but really the supplies should be shared and open to all, and that's really best achieved by having one large work area, where the family gathers, shares and creates together.
I think creating too much "mine, mine, mine" within a family creates selfish children and discourages cooperation.
At least that's my opinion!

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L.B.

answers from New York on

I was a Montessori middle school teacher, and I always found the larger the table, the more useful for multiple types of projects. We had an ikea dining table for a while that turned out to be the ultimate project table. Don't know your budget, but Land of Nod makes pretty cool craft tables, too. If the kids have their own designated spaces elsewhere in the house, I think you are better off providing the largest surface area possible for your projects and crafts.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I agree with hubby, Each child needs a designated space.

However, I would never put the computers in a room where the kids can go and not be completely supervised. They need to be in the family room with the screens pointed towards the main part of the room. This keeps everyone on the straight and narrow. Kids can accidentally get into places they shouldn't be and see things they shouldn't see then want to go back there and see some more.

So computers need to be in common space where everyone walking by, cooking, cleaning house, reading a book, etc...can see what is on that screen.

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C.B.

answers from Orlando on

In a Montessori classroom, the materials are all set out on shelves, children choose what to work on, and take it to a work space, usually a small rug they unroll to work on. Neither the materials or rugs belong to any specific student, but all are expected to respect the space each person chooses to work in. Your oldest can learn to respect the space someone else is using. No one has to have their "own" table or desk or whatever, as long as there are appropriate work spaces to fit as many people in the room as you expect to work in there at the same time.

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

Check out Houzz.com website and also Pinterest for some great ideas on putting together a child friendly craft room. I have seen some good ideas on those sites. I think I would get a rectangular table so they have plenty of space to work. I think they may come in 4 ft lengths so you could put them back to back or separate them. You might want to also get an easel with 2 sides to paint. You might also consider using chalkboard paint on one wall or installing a dry erase board. What are you doing for flooring? Tile would be easier for clean up or carpet squares that could be replaced if stained. Have fun!

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Remember that the craft table needs to be short enough to accommodate their height. It needs to be short enough to get over the top and press down. It needs to be sturdy enough to bear their weight and not be shaky.
Open shelving underneath would be helpful to hold big paper and supplies.
If possible, an I pad there would be helpful for step by step instructions.

I'd do a big table or a built in for the length of the room for a computer place with a printer between the kids. I have one with built in file drawers and it's very convient.

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