Closet Crates

We felt very lucky to have built in shelves in all of the closets when we moved in.  We painted them a glossy (easy to clean) color and have tried to make use of them.  With little kids its never been very organized, and I racked my brain for a method to fix that.  None of my ideas sounded good...tiny little labels from a label maker stuck on the bottom shelf? No....

 

 So Casey (inspired by the plans of Ana White's) decided to make these crates.  I've been seeing the ones they sell at craft stores all over the place, used for all kinds of things.  To maximize the space in the closets he made them custom sizes for each one.  Each closet has different widths of shelves and some even in each closet are different heights.

So a bulk of this project was gathering those measurements and planning what and how much wood to buy.  Casey takes his time, and the project he's done the planning on for awhile began to take shape today.

We chose chalkboard painted fronts and backs for labeling.  I really like the opportunity to change the labels over time as the types of things the kids want kept in their crates changes over the years.  It'll take time to figure out what combinations (socks and undies or jammies and quilts?) go best together and take up the right amount of room.  So we'll keep a chalk eraser handy :).

Here is Casey in his "workshop."  He's got his saw, tool, and assembling pattern all lined up.

I woke up this morning to the sounds of the kids talking outside.  He'd set them up to help by painting the chalkboard ends.  I'll admit a few of them have a few more paint drippings than others, but the look of delight at being involved was so worth it.  And honestly seeing them all together now I think it was a great idea for him to let the kids get those started.

Having a family project is one of my favorite feelings in the world.  Second favorite?  The organization in one of my daughter's room (since hers are all done now) that's gonna make putting away laundry way easier for her and I.