Workstation - finished!

Half of our garage houses the workstation and laundry room. 

A couple of months ago we decided to update both spaces.

 

It looked like this a year ago.

Then like this 6 months ago.

 Then I ordered a rug.

It turned out to be navy and pink, instead of black and white.  Big difference!  But I decided to roll with it since it was on clearance.

 Then, I picked up a new motto.  Courtesy of Mary Engelbreit's calendar.
(Technically, I have been holding onto this page for a few years... waiting to get the courage -and time- to actually learn to work with tools.)

So, finally I devised a plan to conquer the laundry room and workstation space once and for all.

So, here it is in all it's finished glory!
(view from the laundry room)

---Details---

Bulletin Board

I wanted a board to add some cuteness to the space.

Using 2 bulletin boards, I added hinges between them to make one large board, but also allow them to be folded for storage at a later date.  Next, I wrapped them in a large piece of burlap.

Then, I hung and painted pine furring strips for easy removal of the boards if we need to get to the electrical box.

I made a mini pennant banner from navy and pink fabric. And hung up the pictures from our first date : )

The row of clip boards were a recycling effort for the clipboards I used as a teacher.  I can forsee them being super helpful.  Under the clip boards is space set aside for items that need to be moved into the attic or things that I want to donate or sell on Craig's List.

Office Cabinet
cabinet: IKEA Besta

 On either side of the bulletin board is a cabinet unit we got at Ikea a couple years ago.  The office cabinet holds office supplies, my recipe cards and to do items.

 

  Art Cabinet

cabinet: IKEA Besta  

One of the reasons I wanted to create a workstation in the garage was to move all my craft supplies out of our guest room.  Seeing that we have a little tyke now, my old scrapbooking and craft supplies were reorganized into more of an art closet system.  I imagine we will be doing lots of messy art projects in the future.  I've joked with one of my friends that putting together this cabinet made me feel like a super awesome mom... I'm obviously not more awesome, but having a place to encourage easy access to art projects was something I find exciting!

 

The Rug

I ordered it from Rugs USA.  It is super comfortable to walk on!  I foresee G doing lots of messy play out here. 

 

I really like the blog, Fun At Home With Kids.  It has LOTS of AWESOME and SIMPLE ideas for kiddos playing at home.  (In addition to Annie's Eats, it is my most favorite blog.)  I picked up a large canvas drop cloth at Lowes to lay over the rug whenever we get out the messy stuff to play with!

 

Because I can't help but sing the praises of the kiddo fun blog... these are some of the fun things that will be happening on that rug pretty soon:

Cornstarch and Water Goo

Colored Rice

Wet Cotton Balls

 

Metal Shelving Unit

This shelf matches the others in our garage and holds all sorts of things from cookie cutters and stationery to household goods and paper products to our recycling and G's sensory play stuff. On the side of it I attached 2 hooks to hold tote bags.  Also, when I assembled the shelving unit I measured to make sure the gray tubs would have enough room to slide on and off each shelf easily.

 

 Storage Unit

I found this storage unit at Goodwill last year and love how large and well built it is.  It acts as the divider between the workstation and the yard tools area at the front of the garage.

 

It stores items like freezer/bulk cooking supplies, diapers, and things David and I work on during the weekends but want out of the way during the week.  On top of it I have my surplus fabric stored as well as extra baskets.

On the side of it I attached 2 trash bag holders from Ikea to hold our gift wrap and dowel rods.  Anything to get stuff off the floor and organized using things I already had is a win in my book!

That concludes the tour of the workstation.

Tomorrow I will share our laundry room update and soon thereafter details on the mud room!