Create a DIY Wood Crate Homework Station with this tutorial to help your kids stay organized and make homework time easy!
Back to school is right around the corner, and I’m already thinking ahead on how to get us ready for the new school year. To be totally honest, I’ve been ready for the kids to go back for awhile now! Shh… don’t tell them I said that! No one likes doing homework every night, but I try to keep things as easy, organized, and simple as possible to help homework time run smoothly! This year I decided to make a homework station where we could keep pencils, crayons, erasers, and other supplies we need to do our homework. That way we’re not running around the house searching for them all the time. The less time wasted leaves more time for fun after school!
I started by purchasing an 8 foot 1 x 6 board from Home Depot.
Then I used my saw to cut 4 – 11″ pieces and 3 – 9.5″ pieces from the board.
Using some wood glue and finishing nails, I attached one of the 9.5″ pieces to the other two 9.5″ pieces.
Then I added two 11″ pieces to the ends with more glue and nails.
I flipped the crate over and attached the last two 11″ pieces to form the bottom.
I flipped the crate back over and measured the distance between the middle divider and the inner edge of one side. It should be 4.25″, but you’ll want to measure yours exactly so you can get a snug fit. I cut a 4.25″ piece from my 1 x 6 board and dropped it down into the crate as a divider. I secured the divider with a couple nails, and my crate was complete!
I gave the whole piece a nice coat of dark walnut stain and let it dry completely.
To make our homework station portable, I added a rope handle to each side of the crate.
I drilled two holes on the sides of the crate near the top with a paddle bit and threaded the rope through. I tied a knot on each end to secure the handle and added some Mod Podge over the knots to make sure they don’t unravel. The Mod Podge dries clear and will hold the knots in place!
Then I filled our new crate with school supplies!
Wide mouth mason jars fit perfectly in the front cubbies to hold pencils and scissors.
And I left the back part of the crate open so I could add homework folders. Each day the kids will place their homework in the folders so we keep everything organized and together. It’s so easy to lose all those papers that come home! I’m also going to add folders for “return to school” and “parent information” so we don’t miss anything.
I love how this project turned out, and the boys can’t wait to start school and use their new homework station! But while school is still out, I think I’ll use it to hold some pretty flowers from our garden or as a silverware caddy! The possibilities are endless!
This tutorial was adapted from the gorgeous girls at Shanty 2 Chic.
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Now for a little extra fun! This post is brought to you by Coupons.com. They recently reached out to a group of us bloggers and challenged us to create a Back to School project. They are the largest provider of digital coupons on the web for both companies and brands. Did you know they offer Jo-Ann coupon codes and Home Depot coupon codes too? I had no idea and was pretty excited to find that out!! I see lots of projects and savings in my future!
Here’s where it gets REALLY good! How would you like to win a $200 Gift Card to either Jo-ann or Home Depot? Coupons.com has been kind enough to provide this great giveaway, so hurry and enter below!
– This giveaway has ended. –
This post has been brought to you by Coupons.com. A $50 gift card was provided to complete our project.
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P.S. I’m sharing this post at some awesome link parties… Check them out HERE!
50% off sounds good to me!
Mej
I would use the “save 50% on any one item” coupon. And I’m about to!
Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway, this would help out so much! Good luck to everyone!
Cute!
Cute!
Nice might have to build one 🙂
Oh Liz….LOVE LOVE this! What a fabulous idea!
I would use the save 50% on one item coupon.
Super Cute!
We’re in the process of transitioning my daughter to a new room to make room for baby so I could definitely use some organization. I’d probably use the 50% off.
I love the 50% off code! best way to get fabric that is not normally on sale!
I want to build my daughter a desk for her room!
I would use the AP138…free shipping.
Ae 138
50% off a regular priced item…what a deal!! I love your homework station by the way! 🙂
Cute idea! My kids rifle through several drawers before they finally find everything they need.
Cute idea! My kids rifle through several drawers before they finally find everything they need.
Id use the 50% off a reg priced item
Liz I love that walnut stain; beautiful! A great way to make keep all those supplies classy and a little less messy! 🙂
i’d use the 50% off coupon for fabric for a quilt for my niece
Great idea! I’ll have to try my hand with this project!
I would love to win!
The Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item.
So awesome, Liz!! I love the rope handles…totally clever and fun!!
I would use the 50% off one item coupon at JoAnn Fabric to get a Cricut Expressions 2 Die Cutting Machine. I’ve always wanted one but could not afford it. There are so many things I could do with one of those machines!
Fun. Can make out of old pallet wood for dirt cheap
50% off one regular price item
I definitely would make something for my office at my school. I am thinking some kind of wreath that I can make with seasonal touches or maybe get some supplies to make my bulletin board over. I would definitely use the 50 percent off code.
SO many craft/dyi projects…so little time!
Code NUPV201 (50% off 🙂
Where do I comment to enter for raffle? call me dumb but I can’t figure it out, lol :/
I’d use the Free Shipping – Free shipping with $50 purchase coupon code.
Love this organizer. Would work well in my classroom as well as at home.
Love this organizer! Would work well for my classroom too.
I would use the Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item coupon to get some fabric for a back to school bag/backpack. Love your idea for the homework station – thanks for sharing!
I would use the 50% off coupon and make a nap mat!
I’d use the 50% off one item coupon code. Nice giveaway. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
That is a really cute idea, and looks simple enough that I could do it…thx for the idea and the contest!!!
The 50% off code would be perfect for anything! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
I would totally use the 50% off on some stupid cute fabric, and probably put the rest towards the cricut I’ve been dreaming of!
I love JoAnn and Home Depot. I have a lot of things that need done on my house and Home Depot gift card would sure be awesome!
50% off one item is what I would use. Love that % off 🙂
Lets see.. what would I make for back to school.. I’d probably get something to make some really cool notebook covers!
AE138
would love to win the gift card
I would use code NUPV201! Half of something is great!!
I’d use the 50% off one item, because you can use it on one cut of fabric and there’s some fabric there that I loooooove, but it’s pretty expensive. Between the coupon and the gift card, I could get enough fabric to make new pillows for my living room for FREE!
I would probably use the 50% off coupon for some material 🙂
I told my husband he needs to make this, he said yeah and walked away.
I will have to get out my saw and drill and go to work on one if I want one made. If I win I will make this for sure.
Great coupon for 50% off!
Cute idea, Liz! And don’t worry, school will be starting before you know it 🙂
I don’t have any back to schoolers, but can think of a thousand and one uses for this adorable crate!
50% off for some paper mache boxes I can use to store all the paperwork that comes home from school! Thx for this opportunity!
I’d use the 50% off one item!
I just used the 50% and the 40% to buy fabric for back to school and play clothes. I have them on the Joann’s app on my phone so I never forget to bring them with me.
I would use code NUPV201 for half off an item.
Great job with the homework station. Love the stain color.
I would use the 50% off coupon.
RegV208
Save 50% off one item coupon.
Save 50% of one item coupon
50% on one item is always awesome…but the $200 would be ever better!
janelle502(@)sbcglobal.net
50% off (NUVP201) sounds good to me 🙂
I would use the 50% off coupon and purchase some fabric to make caddy for the backs of my kitchen cabinet door to hold our school supplies.
I would use the 50% off one item!
Oh heck I would have to use the 50% off coupon for sure!!
I would use the 50% off a regular priced item to get some new fabrics for covering pillows!!
I would use the 50% off regular price for fabrics to cover my pillows!!
such a great idea! saw your diy on poppytalk! i’m gonna have to try this 🙂
I would start by making this box
Fantastic Back to School idea! Pinning:)
50% off, would get some paint for my cork board to pin up important reminders
50% off, would get some paint for my cork board and pin up important reminders
I would use the Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item coupon.
I would use the 50% off coupon!! I need fabric for my daughter’s & son’s room.
I’m heading out to college, but I need to finish making a t-shirt quilt first!
(So the half off sounds nice to me!)
I would use the 50% off one item coupon!
As138 40% off one item. I’d buy some Christmas fabric to get started on some gifts early!!
Definitely, I would use the 50% off one item!
I love this so much I would have to keep it for myself to organize my stationery and letter writing supplies of which I have a lot as I blog about all things stationery and letter writing over at http://www.ritewhileucan.com My fav part are the rope handles and how you made it look a bit vintage. Visiting via 36th Avenue link up
I need to replace my dining room floor after my septic system backed up, so the Home Depot gift card would be MUCH needed!
50% off sounds like the best deal 🙂
50% off sounds like the best deal!
This is such a great project Liz and I LOVE the finish! Pinned!
I’d use the 50% off coupon at Joann’s. Code NUPV201. I’m a teacher and make lots of stuff for my class and I love a good sale.
I’d use the 50% coupon…nupv201. I’m a teacher and I make lots of stuff for my class.
The 50% coupon would be great. My kids love doing their homework at the kitchen table, so a wood crate homework station like the one you made would be perfect in our house — my kids are always looking for scissors, the pencil sharpener, etc.
Mod Podge to reinforce knots… I never thought of that!
Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item is fantastic!
I would definitely use the 50% off coupon!
50% off to complete some more projects – always have something to do!!!
I would use the 50% off one to buy some fabric and make my daughter a cute out for school!
I’d use the 50% off code to buy fabric to make outfits for back-to-school! I’ve had my eyes on making maxi dresses!
I would use the 50% off to buy fabric and make an outfit for my daughter for school.
I would use the Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item
I would use the Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item
Great project, and easy, too!
Love the idea to reinforce knots with Mod Podge!
I’d love the 50% off at JoAnns!
I would use the Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item!!
So cute! I would love to win the gift card to be able to make one too 🙂
40% off cause everything is cheaper
I’d use the 50% off one item to JoAnn Fabrics..
50% off a regular priced item would be fantastic!!
50% off! That sounds great!!
50% off would be great!
Either one would would be fantastic – there are always projects on the go you know!
Most certainly Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item!
Most certainly Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item!
Tough to decide between the 50% off and the savings on the sale and promotional items, but I think I’m going to go with the sale stuff – LOVE to buy more stuff on sale instead of just the one item. Love the box – great idea and like you said, SO versatile!
I’d use the AE138 CODE for 50% off!
Terri P
pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com
I would love to use 50% off at JoAnns. I want to decorate my daughters bedroom 🙂
I want to use “AE138” for 50% off!
the 50% off! get some home decor fabric and make a backpack!
That looks great but looks like a lot of work. Good job!
Whoops.. NUPV201
I’d be using the 50% off coupon to buy fabric to help my favorite teacher transition to being a 5th grade teacher this year. It’s a big move from 2nd and I want to help her decorate her classroom for the older crowd!!
Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item would be my best bet!
50% off one regular priced item
[email protected]
50% off would be great to get a new cake pan so I can decorate more cakes.
50% off for me for some great fabric for a few shirts. 🙂
I can think of soo many projects this give-away would help me complete. Seeing this inspires me to feel I can make something useful, too.
I can think of sooo many projects I could finish with this give-away. Like the organizer.
Love it….may have to make one or two.
Hmm. I was going to say I’d use the NUPV201 code for 50% off to make some back -to-school sewn organizer for back of the kids’ chair — the opening page from your link states it’s good till 7/31, but when I click on ‘print coupon,’ it states the offer is only valid until 7/20, which is has passed. :/ That 2nd page you’re taken to from 1st Jo-Ann’s link (after clicking ‘print) actually has the 7/31 date AND the coupon below that states ‘through Sat., July 20, 2013,’ so there is a big discrepency.
Weird. And a bummer.
Would be great to win.
Would love to win.
I would use the 50% off coupon. Love the wood crate idea for school stuff, organized and mobile.
I would use the 50% off and buy some fabric.
50% off…our school chairs need recovering. Dang cats…
I would use the 50% off to buy some fabric.
50% off…our school chairs need recovering. Dang cats…
50% off…can always find a use for one of those. 🙂
50% off! Always a use for one of those! 🙂
Save 50% off on one regular-priced item is the coupon I’d use 🙂
Karibeth Soto
This comment has been removed by the author.
50% off…love that!
50% off a regular item!
The 50% off one item coupon works for me! Yay, yarn! 🙂
50% off. Would buy some fabric!
I apologize for all of the reposts…my window kept refreshing with errors, so I assumed my comment(s) weren’t going through…
Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item
Save 50% off One Regular-Priced Item
Best coupon for JoAnn! I should know. I shop there too much. They ladies know my kids by name.
By Renee Kern:
I would use coupon AE138.
I think I have some extra wooden crates in Salt Lake City UT lying around. I might try and make them into something like this.