For most families doing crafts, the kitchen table just isn’t big enough. Paint jars, half finished art projects and bags of glue and glitter find a home on the work surfaces and windowsills of your kitchen. The answer to all this could be in your garage.
You don’t have to give up parking space in your garage. A corner with some shelves and some thought can make a perfect “workshop” for your kids to make things, to make a mess and leave their projects out overnight (and not get them cleared away to set the table for dinner).
Pick the Right Corner
Put it as far away from the garage door as possible and away from where the car pulls in. The back of the garage is best, near a power point and reasonably light.
Most garages lack light and a couple of plug-in LED shop lights up against the wall, clipped into position above your workbench, can make a big difference on dull days.
Also consider the floor. A cheap rubber mat or an old rug can be placed under the work area. It makes the space warmer and softer for little knees. In addition, it is easier to clean up the inevitable paint splatters.
A Table at Kid Height
The work surface is the real heart of the corner. This could be a folding table with adjustable legs growing up with your kids. A sturdy door blank or sheet of plywood on two sawhorses in the corner also works very well.
Cover the top with a surface that can be wiped clean. You can use an old vinyl tablecloth, a large roll of kraft paper held at each end or an oilcloth. The kraft paper even becomes a giant drawing surface between projects.
Storage That Keeps Mess Contained
Good storage is probably the most important element to creating a successful garage craft corner. Here are a few ideas that will hold up well over time.
- Clear bins with labels. Kids can see what is inside and are more likely to put things back. Label with words and a picture for younger ones.
- A pegboard wall. Hang scissors, tape, rulers and paintbrushes in reach. Draw an outline around each tool so everyone knows where it goes.
- A drying rack. A simple wire rack or a clothesline with clothespins gives wet paintings somewhere to go.
- A “work in progress” shelf. One shelf just for projects that are not finished. This alone ends a lot of arguments.
Keep anything messy or sharp up high and anything kids use daily down low.
Keep Chemicals Separate
Things like paint thinner, car maintenance fluids, fertilizer and pool chemicals are typically stored in garages. None of these items belong in the vicinity of a craft table. Store them in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf in the garage, far from your craft corner.
Additionally, make sure all the individual craft supplies are labeled nontoxic and are stored in containers that children can open and close.
Garage Safety Rules for Kids
A garage is a bit of a different animal to a normal room. The largest item in the garage moves on its own and is very heavy. You need a few simple rules to enable safe use of the garage by all family members.
- The garage door button is for grown-ups. Mount the wall button high, out of small reach, and keep remotes in a drawer or on a key hook.
- Nobody stands, sits or plays under the door while it is moving.
- Toys and craft bins stay clear of the door’s path and away from the small sensors near the floor on each side.
- If the door makes a loud bang or stops working, kids come inside and tell a grown-up.
Grown-ups have rules too. Work with the springs and cables of your garage door? That’s best left to a trained repair technician, and so are the drive gear and wiring inside the opener. Pull the red release cord on the opener only when the door is fully closed. Never pull it when the door is open or jammed.
Check the door before the craft corner becomes a daily destination. The auto-reverse should stop the door and send it back up if it touches anything on the way down. Rough sounding doors or doors not opening/closing evenly should also be inspected. Local companies such as Century Garage Door Repair Service can offer services such as garage door repair in Gahanna and nearby towns should any issues be found.
Make It Theirs
The best craft areas are run by children and seem to be under their control. Let children choose a color for the containers, hang their artwork on the walls of the space and choose a name for it. A hand-painted sign above the work area is a lovely addition.
Give it a regular reset too. Spend 5 minutes or so clearing out the tidbits at the end of sessions, with some song in the background or a timer. It keeps the corner useful and teaches a lasting habit.
Quick Answers
How can a garage craft area stay warm in winter?
A rubber floor mat, a well-closed garage door as well as a space heater (run only by an adult, and kept well away from stored paint, fuel and chemicals) help. Insulated door panels keep the space warm too.
What is the best storage for a kids’ craft corner?
Use clear labeled bins, a pegboard for tools, and reserve one shelf for unfinished projects. Store sharp or messy supplies up high.
Is it safe for kids to play in the garage?
Yes, with a few simple rules: keep the door button out of reach, keep toys away from the door and lock up chemicals.