Creative Space

We're in the process of putting together a new space for writing, creating, playing, and making messes in our house. Formerly, we did most of these things in the room we called the office, which has now been converted into the nursery. My husband did his part, building an unbelievably inspiring room for us in the basement for our creative pursuits. Now it's our turn: Jack and I need to furnish it for function, organize our tools, and start making masterpieces.

So far I planted the easel in the corner, refinished the table from my old OT office, and added some just-right sized chairs. All of these items are Ikea finds. The table is my favorite because it is height adjustable and very versitile. I cut down Ikea trestle table legs so they could be easily adjusted from preschool-aged to elementary-aged table height. That way I can modify the table height to the size of the children who I work with, as well as to my own growing children, for a perfect fit. Height-adjustable tables are also great for encouraging kids to work in different positions depending on the project. Some projects are great to do while seated and others are better accomplished while standing, adjusting the table to counter height. You can also raise and lower the table at an angle, like a drafting table. This position encourages wrist extension during drawing and writing activities, facilitating a more mature grasp. Whew! All that function from an inexpensive Ikea "hack."

I just started organizing our tools and materials on an old, repurposed shelf. I have big plans for more shelves eventually... but first I want to live in the space a little and figure out exactly what we need where. I'm BIG on the idea that form follows function.

In the closet behind the easel I put our mini trampoline and a couple of tunnels, so we can transform the space for some creative gross motor activities as well.

I have so many other ideas, it's hard to decide what to do first. What's working for you in your creative space?

Comments

[love squalor]

i just discovered your blog and wanted to say hello. i've been browsing your archives and loving all of your creative ideas. what a great resource! i am so glad you are sharing here!

[Mary]

I love the ideas you have on this blog. The table sounds so cool and makes me wish I had an extra room in this house to have a setup like that. Instead, we improvise. Last fall I made a "preshool/craft corner" and my favorite part of it is the cheap IKEA shelves we put up above a kid-sized table for our favorite books, or library books, or whatever. The shelves have a bit of a lip, so you can have your books facing out, like at the library or a book store and the kids can see the covers.

Pictured here: http://jiggety-jig.blogspot.com/2007/09/more-babies-and-stuff.html

if that link didn't work, then see the shelf at IKEA's site:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/56690305

[Bobbie]

I love your blog...and love your new space * I am very jelous* our space is the kitchen table!- i live in a tiny house - and houses in Australia don't have basements - so no luck there...

[Shelley Laming]

I found your blog through the Junior Society Report. It is wonderful! There are so many neat ideas here. Thank you for sharing! -Shelley

[Deb]

We just completed our new school room--formerly a play room. It's so fun having everything fresh and new! You can check it out here:
http://aswewalk.com/2008/07/21/mission-accomplished/

[sara]

as a lover of containers (oy, with the container store!), this is a dream come true sort of a room! Can you please tell me where you got those wire baskets? I adore them.

[Wendy]

I just found you and have read a few of your posts showing this beautiful room. Can I ask what color that is on your walls? They look fantastic!

[Kath]

would like to do the samt thing with those table legs - how did you hack them to make them smallet in height?!

[Corie Drane]

I don't have any creative space in our home, but my kids have. As kids get busier with their school stuff, their space becomes a lot messier. So see to it that it's always clean and well-maintained.