Do's + Don'ts of Kid Friendly Art Cabinets

A few summers ago, I decided to surprise my kids with a gift. A designated art cabinet in our kitchen.

Up until that point, I had stored their art supplies in an old vintage wine crate in their bedroom. It was heavy. It was bulky. It required me helping them access the materials if and when they wanted to make something.

At the time, I felt like this was my only option. When storage is limited, Pinterest worthy art stations seem more like a pipe dream than a reality. But as I looked at my apartment, I had the thought.

“What if I could create a designated art station for my kids in one of our kitchen cabinets?”

I began brainstorming and drawing out layouts. And eventually, I was able to surprise them with a little corner of our home totally dedicated to their supplies.

And they loved it.

So much so that my son still tells me years later that their art cabinet was one of his favorite gifts ever.

Carving out that space sparked my own imagination as well. I realized maybe for the first time as a mom what was possible when you are willing to decrease what you have to get clear on what matters and of course, think outside the box.

(If you’d like to see our art cabinet in action, check out our Homeworthy tour here and scroll forward to minute 43!)

Since then I have had the privilege of helping many other family’s redesign and designate space for art in their own homes. Each one has been so unique which honestly makes sense. Every home requires different things.

I'd love to share a few of those spaces with you as well as some do’s and don’ts that I have picked up along the way when it comes to creating art cabinets that are kid centric in small spaces.