Back in January, a simple Instagram Stories post by Sherry set the wheels in motion for a remarkable transformation in our home. She shared the exciting news of snagging some wood chairs from Target, hinting at a “side project” that would be revealed after our bathroom renovation wrapped up. Little did we know that this seemingly small purchase was the first step towards creating a space that would become the heart of creativity for our kids.
The Birth of an Idea
The space we’re now proud to call our kids’ arts & crafts room was once our old guest room. If you cast your mind back, you might recall it looking rather different. A sparrow – brown – painted room with a white queen bed, it was a space that, despite its potential, remained largely unused. As we started contemplating the redecoration of the middle bedroom at our beach house, we had an epiphany. We faced the same situation at our main home: an entire room that was occupied for only a handful of days each year, if at all.
The large couch in our bonus room had long since proven to be a more appealing sleeping option for our friends and family. Equipped with a TV and plenty of space to sprawl out, it made the guest room redundant. We also realized that, in a pinch, we could always bunk our kids together in one of their rooms for a couple of nights to accommodate guests, just like my family did when I was growing up. When we broached the idea of an art room to our kids, their eyes lit up with excitement. And so, before the idea of moving to Florida even crossed our minds, we decided to breathe new life into this underutilized space.
Timing is Everything
Looking back, the timing of this project couldn’t have been more fortuitous. Just as we were putting the finishing touches on the art room, our mayor made the announcement that schools would be cancelled for the rest of the year. Suddenly, our kids were home with us every day, and the art room became their creative sanctuary. Despite the impending move, we were incredibly grateful for the decision to transform this room.
Solving Space Woes
Beyond the joy it brought to our kids, the creation of the art room also alleviated some growing pains in our downstairs home office. For a while, we had been content with having our kids’ art space in the office with us. However, it became clear that they had outgrown the tiny kid – sized desk and minuscule chairs that were only about 8 inches off the ground. The limited wall space in the office couldn’t support a larger desk suitable for both kids with standard – sized chairs. As a result, their crafts and cardboard creations were gradually taking over more and more of the office space. The “Real Life” highlights on Sherry’s Instagram profile tell the story of this ever – expanding creative chaos.
The Transformation
Our kids are incredibly active in their creative pursuits. They spend hours drawing, cutting, writing, gluing, and, of course, taping. When we realized that we had an unused room upstairs, the decision to transform it into an art room was a no – brainer. We sold the bed to a friend and listed the side tables on Facebook Marketplace, clearing the way for a fresh start.
Now, the room is a vibrant hub of creativity. A long art desk stretches in front of a window, flanked by the wood chairs we bought back in January. String lights add a touch of warmth and whimsy. The best part? The solid door allows us to shut away the inevitable mess, and since it’s not the first room you see when entering the house, it offers a sense of privacy and containment.
As we look around this transformed space, we can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s not just a room; it’s a place where our kids’ imaginations can run wild. In the next part of this journey, we’ll delve into the details of how we brought this vision to life, from the furniture choices to the wall color. What kind of creative spaces do your kids have at home?
