Playroom Storage Wall
I said I wanted to finish it in one week. Thought it would probably take three. It really took five, but who’s counting? After wasting the last 5 days shopping for baskets, trying them out, shopping some more, trying some more and returning all the ones I didn’t want…I’m finally done!
Here’s what I started with.
This is the wall of choice. (For reference, the playhouse is on the same wall as that door on the left.)
I sketched a plan and started building.
(Please note the floor behind me—see, I really am very messy when I craft.)
Ha ha ha… I just threw together a quick sketch of what I wanted. Didn’t draw anything to scale. My original plan was 2 shelving units with a craft counter in between. Clearly that “in between” space is too wide. I took a pencil and drew right on the wall to get a real size visual of my plan B. (You may have to enlarge to see it.)
Built some more.
Maddie helped me iron on the edge banding.
Built and installed the upper cabinets.
Installed the countertop which is just a stock counter piece from Lowe’s.
Created a magnetic backsplash.
Installed moulding.
I applied upside-down baseboard and then crown to add some height as I wanted the moulding to go all the way to the ceiling.
Cut and installed shelves, then loaded them with “stuff”.
And all the ugly plastic toys that don’t fit in any bins go in here.
92 Responses to “Playroom Storage Wall”
Leave a Reply
Hi. I’m Sandra.
I'm a crafter, DIY'er, home renovator and builder of "STUFF". We move frequently so I get lots of chances to buy a house and then tear it up so I can put my mark on it before we sell it and move again. I hope you'll join me on my DIY adventure as I start all over again.
Subscribe via Email
Follow The Sawdust
As Seen In:
Grab a button!
BEAUTIFUL…a child's dream and would be mine too as it looks like everything has a place.
You. Are. My. Hero! You prove that someone other than my daddy can make amazing things! Wow. I want one. Here I thought you just took some built ins and added your baskets and organized. BUT all this in FIVE weeks?! You are amazing. Just saying.
That is Awesome! WAy to go!
This is SO awesome!!
Ohhhh…you are so good Sandra. I love it, it looks great!
Wow! I want a playroom like that!
You really are amazing. I want a nail gun sooo bad. lol I am handicapped without one!I like the use of an upside down baseboard…gotta remember that.
Do you do this for a business? Build things? I would totally hire you if you were in my area. Where'd you get your skills??? Dixie
This looks fabulous!I wish I could create something like that for my craft room..it might very well perserve my sanity!
Wow, look at all that storage space! I am jealous. Glad you found baskets that worked and they look great!
It's beautiful! You never cease to amaze.
Oh my word, woman. You are amazing!
I'm in awe. You may be my new hero.
I cannot believe you did this!!!!! I am amazed!! Sooo jealous!!!
Wow, are you super mom?!How awesome, great job! And especially completing it within that short time frame…-Ann Marie
Wow!! That.is.awesome.
This is such a great space!! I am so envious of your skills.
You proved that plastic storage bins CAN look great. I'm going to feature this post next Friday, for sure! 
You did a really amazing job! You have got some serious carpentry skills. I think 5 weeks is great….this would have taken me 5 months!
You make it look so easy, but I know it wasn't. It's a marvelous project! Excellent. Thank you for sharing and linking to the Boardwalk Bragfest!
That is amazing. Love it, love it.Brooke
I'm lost for words! To call what you do "crafting" is a massive understatement…amazing!!!
Perfect!! You give me confidence that I, too, can build things like that. And I will!
Sandra it looks so great, as always I am very impressed!
You have impressed us again! Great shelving – great work. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today!Chelsea
Come join mine this is totally awesome. ( I would love to feature it if you are interested!)
Please can you come and make one at my house!!!!? I LOVE it! Hubby has a day off today… maybe I can talk him into it…
Amazing! I love the crown moulding!
I am envious! That is awesome! The crwon moulding really finsihes it.
I love it. You're very clever.
This is very impressive
How wonderful to have this project completed! I'm sure it will bring a lot of joy and organization.
What a great wall!
I LOVE IT! I would love tho do this in our play room. You are super crafty and power tool savvy!
you have got some rockin skills! I wish that i had even a quarter of your skills!Love this. Fantastic use of the space. I am sure that your whole house is fabulous like this.Happy thursday!please, if you can, stop by sometime and say hello!
AMAZING!!! I love it! Great job!
This is so awesome. What great storage-I can see that for an adult crafter or computer niche, many uses. You are unreal!
Okay, I thought your playhouse closet was pretty cool (which it is)… but as someone obsessed with organizing and finding a place for all of the toys, craft supplies, etc… I think this takes the cake. Well done!
Wow! I wouldn't mind that wall o'organization for myself! Super!
Seriously Sandra you are my IDOL. I've been looking for the perfect way to create shelves that would look nice and fit in my craft space but kept coming up short…your how to and inspiration is just want I needed. Definitely a big fan!!
Wow! Now that's a play room
Where do you find the time? I'm jealous
My kids are all grown but I want this for my craft room. I have a serious case of shelf envy now thanks to your great post! So clever!
Wow, you did a fantastic job. I wish I could be half that organized with my stuff. Good for you for making it all by yourself.
Can I just say WOW!?? You are so talented! I wish I wasn't "carpentry-challenged", then I could make something like this for hubby's man cave! LOL!
You are one talented lady! Please show this off on Modern Craftswoman Monday. This is the kind of project I would love to have on my party. I am a guy who loves to teach women how to use tools, and that they can take on these kinds of projects with a little encouragement and know how! Way to go! Rory
WOW, you are so talented… I love it.
That is just AMAZING ! It not only looks awesome but organized. I'm very jealous – if I attempted that it would have involved multiple trips to the ER, stitches and maybe even broken bones !!!thanks so much for sharing !genawww.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com
This is awesome! I am sooo jealous!
love it – one day we will be so organized…I LOVE a girl that isnt afraid of power tools!!Have a good weekend returning all those baskets
Oh, I think I hear the angels singing and lights shining down from Heaven! There is nothing better than this!!!I'd love to have you link up at my Home and Family Friday linky party.becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com
What a fantastic result-your hard work has really paid off!I hope that you have a lovely Mother's day and a great weekend.Best wishes,Natasha.
Wow! Looks great! Impressive!
W O W! This project is on my MUST DO list.
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, I'm so impressed!
Perfect, and now I'm thinking my craft room needs an overhaul like this! Question though… when I look at your pictures, it appears you have moved an electrical outlet up higher than it was in the beginning… is this so, and if it is, how did you do that????
Wow. Fantastic job! I like how you used the see-through containers too ~ AND you made it yourself. Go girl!
Thanks for linking up! I hope you'll link up more projects as you do them. I try to host linky parties on Friday.Becca
Oh wow, that is awesome!!!! I really need this in my craft room!!
OH I LOVE THIS!!! I NEED THIS IN MY CHILD CARE!!
Oh my this is amazing!! I would die for something like this!!
Wow! That is impressive. I wish we would stay in one place long enough that we could build something like that. I'll continue to dream…
YOU are AMAZING. Just BEAUTIFUL!
Simply Stunning! Love the cubbies {I'm a huge fan} You have done an incredible job. Fabulous! Thanks for stopping by and joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Hi Sandra! Just wanted to let you know I'll be featuring your storage wall today. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! ~ Stephanie Lynn
WOW! You are an AMAZING (not to mention inspirational) mom!!! Will you adopt me? That is awesome! I am totally jealous and inspired at the same time! What is the white stuff? Is it laminated MDF or something? I've seen "closet shelving" at Home Depot and Lowes. Is that what it is? I just found the Knock Off Wood website and have a few projects under my belt. I was intimidated to try something this big, although that's exactly what we need. Great job, lady!
You are so inspiring! I don't know why I feel like I'd need Charles to do something like this. Great job!
WOAH!!! Intensely cool. Really, very impressive!!
I've star'd this in my google reader and I fully intend to copy you once I move! Great amazing job!!!
That is completely incredible!!! Wow! I am trying to come up with something that will work for my kids as we rent our house and have to be careful what we build. Wow! Hope I can come up with something now that you have got my creative juices going!!!
AWESOME job – wow! I am still trying to get over a fear of power tools, but one day perhaps… :>) I linked to this on my weekly roundup – thanks so much for sharing!
Great job! My hub and I have been wavering about hiring someone to do built-in media shelving in our basement, but you've inspired me to figure out how to DIY. Thanks for sharing the actual timeline too. Always good to know what we're getting into. Thanks!
What a great project and amazing storage space. I have an organizing party every 2 weeks. The next one is May 26th. I would love it if you'd link your storage to the party. There's a givaway too. Hope to see you there.
This is very similar to what my husband and I want to do! Thanks for posting! I wondered if you might share what you used for the building materials. Is that a laminated MDF? If so where did you find it? Thanks in advance for any guidance
please can you email me with what wood you used. i reaally need to build a book shelf wall unit before the baby gets here in oct. im amazed at your talent please please PLEEASESMASHTRASH60@YAHOO.COM
Holy Moly! That is awesome! I've been feeling the building itch lately and now I want to build this. Glad to find you. (I came over here from http://orgjunkie.com/2010/05/take-note-weekly-links-5.html.) And I'll be back!
I found this post featured on Making the World Cuter and wanted to stop by to see what else you've done and share my comment with the writer.My husband and I have been pondering a living room remodel for a while now but can't seem to find a contractor to build a custom "wall" for our TV & such that can be built around the existing fireplace (that we never use). We may just have to take some pointers and do it ourselves now that we've got the inspiration! Thanks so much!!
Completely envious of this… and wishing I had the skill to duplicate it! I'm linking to this in my own playroom post today if it's alright with you!
I totally want to be you when I grow up. wondering where you ended up getting your containers. I need some for some cubby shelves i have and can't find any (especially clear ones). Do you have a favorite place to shop for them?
I have always wondered if there was something wrong with me because I go into projects with an idea of how I want if but never a real drawn draft. You know…design as you go. Now that I have looked at your projects and realized that great work can happen on the fly, I will refuse to be teased about not having a true plan! Great work!! I want one in my craft room JUST LIKE IT!
I am curious as to what type of wood you use? Are those precut shelves with the laminate?Am LOVING all of your projects-such an inspiration!
This is really coolio!
Wow, great job! Your Mom uploaded your link to my "Crafting Spaces" Linky Party today over at my blog: http://debsheartandhome.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/crafting-spaces-link-up/I appreciate her sharing your hard work with us! It turned out beautiful – enjoy :')
Is that contractor for hire? Those white bookcases are to die for..were they already there and you painted them or did your contractor build them too? I have a bookcase unit that we've had for probably 25 yrs. by Sauder and it's an Oak finish and I want to paint it white so bad but my husband doesn't think it will take paint because of the finish on it. Right now I'm at a lost for the right words to describe it but maybe some of you have had experience in painting the pre-fab furniture kits and can respond or give me your opinion. All our furniture is Dark cherry wood, Queen Anne Sytle and I'm getting so tired of it. I want to paint it white.
Wow! I really want to do something like this for my kids playroom! I have been looking at target, wal-mart and ikea for shelving but I have always thought that I could build something much nicer for less money. I just don't know how or where to start. Could you help me? I really think I will enjoy doing a project like this! lecooper.lc@gmail.com
I stumbled upon you and am so inspired by your talent and ambition!! Not only do you create awe-inspiring pieces, but you find the time to blog and share…you ROCK!
Keep it up!!!
OH my gosh Sandra. this is ridiculous. you are super woman! What kind of wood did you use? Is it laminate? Ugh I cant wait to have a garage/basement/workshop so I can make real furniture!!!
Thanks. It is Melamine.
DAAAAMN! No books!
Well this is the PLAYroom after all. All the books are in the Library!
What a great project. One of the all time BEST storage solutions I have seen. I love that everything is visible. Clean up would be so easy if everyone had a system like this in their office or art studio. Thanks for sharing this inspirational work. Bravo!
Wow!! You’re a superstar! I think I might do the wall unit but for a different application; dining room wall unit for china. As for the magnetic board that would work in the kitchen too…
Wow !!! Very inspiring. I’d like to do this in my garage !! What was ur approximate cost for ur project and where did u buy your wood ? Thank you