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Family, Lifestyle

25 Cute And Practical DIY Ideas For Parents

Written by Katherine Eion

Twenty-five cute and practical DIY ideas for parents to spruce up a room for the kiddos is a recipe for greatness. Both kids and parents will love these great projects.

Stuck on only painting the room? Well, paint ain’t the only way to spruce up a kid’s space.  Check out these ideas to store clutter while making your child’s room little more fun and appealing.

25. Sneaker Saver

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    Sick and tired of the morning battle cry of ‘Where are my shoes?’ Every parent can likely attest to hearing this cry anytime the family has to go somewhere. Turn old pallets  into a nifty storage shelf for shoes. This idea is a great way to recycle and re-purpose, while helping kids stay neat and tidy.

    24. Basket Storage

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      Take clutter off the floors and put it on the walls!  Use planter baskets to stow away favorite toys.  The cool thing about this idea is that baskets can be hung at the child’s level for easier access. Once the kids have outgrown their use, parents have the option of adding color around the house with plants.

      23. Magnetic Chore Charts

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        Hang up some fun with these cute trays. Do a little digging at the next yard sale or the local thrift shop to find suitable trays to paint and hang up as chore reminders or bring color to a room. The idea allows kids to hang up their own art in their room or helps out parents by posting notes.

        22. Stackable Book Case

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          Simple and stackable wooden crates make for a great and inexpensive book case. Crates can be handily found at local arts and crafts stores. Paint cheerful colors or go the rustic look and leave unpainted. Kids are sure to love this idea, as much as parents.

          21. Car Show

           
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            Sick and tired of stepping on those tiny cars that always seem to be lying about? Or maybe your kid has a favorite car? Or you are unbelievably weary of an entire toy box being emptied for the kids to play with?  The solution is ridiculously simple. Simply hang up magnetic strips, usually reserved for hanging knives in the kitchen!

            20. Make A Mural

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              While this DIY project may take more time and effort. It is a project for both parents and children can enjoy together.  From stenciling the art to fully painting the new mural. Kids get to have a say in what they want and parents put together a mural that can be both fun and educational.

              19. Chalkboard Dresser

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                This snazzy dresser is something every kid would love. Not only is it a dresser it doubles as a spot kids can draw on! The use of chalkboard paint, makes any old dresser brand new and usable again. The HGTV site indicates this is a weekend project. Surely, it is a project that is appealing in so many different ways.

                18. Paper Lanterns

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                  Choose white paper lanterns and adorn with colorful stickers for a charming and whimsical look for a child’s room. The paper lanterns can be found easily online. Colorful lanterns are also available, should you choose to go that route. Little ones gain through identifying the colors.

                  17. Chalkboard Wall

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                    A chalkboard wall is one of my personal, easy-as-pie favorite DIY project for kids. Children of all ages gain the privilege of scribbling on their own walls. Parents can leave important or loving notes to their kids on the child’s special wall. The project is easily completed.

                    16. Rain Gutter Bookshelf

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                      Rain gutter bookshelves are a useful and worthwhile addition to any room. Especially, as parents strive to stay neat and organized. Kids are bound to love this project as well. Books can be easily accessed. Hanging the gutters at eye level or near a bed gives even the smallest child easy access to their growing library.

                      15. Denim Pockets

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                        This DIY idea can also serve to hold various office supplies when hung near a child’s or teen’s desk.  Or hang these denim pockets at eye-level, so little ones can store their precious trinkets.  In any case, the project is easy and a real winner for kids and parents alike.

                        14. Cork Walls

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                          Want to lessen the sound that’s blasting from your teen’s room? Or just give a child the joy of being able to pin up their work? Then installing cork walls may be the answer for you. Kids can have a blast, as cork makes for a great addition to any child’s room.

                          13. Skateboard Shelves

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                            Have a skateboarder?  Rock his or her world by adding skateboard shelves. Choose inexpensive boards from a department store or scour the neighborhood for used boards. Boarders will get a real kick out of this cool way to share their hobby.

                            12. Mushroom Stools

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                              Add extra sitting space with these absolutely cute and practical mushroom stools. Choose logs and even the surfaces. Glue on a circular pillow and enjoy. Children will appreciate having a spot for friends and parents will truly love the ease of adding extra seating.

                              11. Clutter-Free Desks

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                                De-clutter desks with this nifty idea from Better Homes & Gardens. This  project can be done in minutes.  The kids gain in having a spot for their school work, awards, or pics. Papers are secured above the desk for easy viewing and retrieval when needed.

                                10. Re-Purpose Kitchen Tools

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                                  Ordinary kitchen tools can be re-purposed and used to increase storage space. Place hooks in rolling pins for hanging items. A muffin tin can hold small trinkets or create a magnet board with a tray. Parents should let their imaginations roam on this pretty project.

                                  9. Back Door Space

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                                    Hang a memo board with pegs to create space in a child’s room. This small DIY project helps also to hide added clutter. The project becomes all the more useful with an over-the-door shoe organizer. Kids can store video games, small toys, and more in an organizer.

                                    8. Triangle Shelves

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                                      Triangle shelves are stunningly cute and are absolutely an adorable addition to any child’s room. The making of these tiny shelves does require the use of a miter saw. Perhaps a neighbor or friend has one, otherwise a saw can usually be rented or cuts made at the local hardware store.

                                      7. Cork Pegs

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                                        This little project is worth ooohs and aaahs, because it is perfect for the nursery or for a toddler’s room. Draw and cut out simple silhouettes in the shape of anything. One idea would be to use the alphabet as shapes to glue to the cork. Parents can use the pegs to hang the next day’s clothing or for simple decorations, as pictured.

                                        6. Re-purpose An Armoire

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                                          This incredible idea is from The Detailed House. Of course, the project begins by finding a used armoire from the local craigslist. The author notes that many times such large items are available for free. The ‘down-side’ is that the piece of furniture will need to be refinished and completed as shown above.

                                          5. Reading Nook

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                                            Re-purpose a crib mattress to create the perfect reading space for a kid. Make use of colorful crib sheets, suitable for an older child, of course. Throw in a matching pillow and he or she is on their way with a good book. A curtain can be hung from the wall or the ceiling for added privacy.

                                            4. Dress Up Furniture Legs

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                                              Dress up furniture pegs with a little paint. Simply purchase new and unpainted furniture pegs from the local hardware store. Then add some color or shapes and bring new life to any kind of furniture in a child’s rooms. Parents get the chance to boldly create with paint, with this project.

                                              3. Pallet Bed

                                               

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                                                Re-purpose old pallets, add a futon mattress to make a comfortable bed for kids. The project is one that parents will love. If desired, wheels can be added to the bottom of the bed to free up space and for cleaning. Kids will love the comfy fit.

                                                 

                                                2. Birdhouse Night Light

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                                                  This absolutely adorable idea makes having a night light cool for kids. Purchase an unpainted birdhouse and hang as is or paint to suit the room. Note that in the picture the cord itself has, in some cases, been painted to match the wall. Insert the night light at the opening of the house in the back.

                                                  1. Roll-Away Bookcase

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                                                    This cute and adorable project is again a real crowd-pleaser for parents and kids alike. Parents need only add wheels to a wooden cube and books are as on-the-go as the kids!

                                                    Featured photo credit: Leonid Mamcheknkov via flickr.com