Art room ideas that are adaptable for every family’s lifestyle whether a kids craft room, kids art corner or art cart. (Feature photo by calivintage)
Updated April 2023
Are you looking for art room ideas for your kids?
At The Artful Parent, we believe these spaces are crucial for kids to incorporate art into the everyday.
Why Have an Art Space?
A dedicated art space is one that kids can go to and have access to art any time of the day. The goal is to encourage and foster a love of art.
Spaces like these build creativity, confidence and independence for kids. And they foster interest in more than just art (see Why Having An Art Space for Kids Isn’t Just About Art).
An art space is all about empowering kids. But it also has to work for you, the caregiver. The art supplies and tools that exist there are parent-approved and curated.
This is where you’ll have to think about what you’re comfortable with to ensure this is a kids art space that can work for both parents and children alike.
In our home right now, the art cart is set up with supplies I’ve deemed ok for my toddler (and preschooler) to freely access. The rest are housed in our art hutch and nearby closet and not as accessible.
Make it work for your family.
And remember, that as your kids grow, the materials that they freely access can be reevaluated.
Art Room Ideas for Kids
1. Art Cart
An art cart is my top recommendation for incorporating art into your family life. It is a great stand alone option that provides easy access to art supplies. It can also easily be incorporated into many other variations of a home art space.
Further reading: How to Set Up an Art Cart
2. Portable Art Caddy
We have a separate art caddy for my older son that we store in our art hutch. These are supplies that are appropriate for him, but not his younger sibling. If space is limited, try an art caddy to store the basic art supplies.
You might consider pairing a wall or refrigerator mounted system for holding paper & finished artwork in.
Further Reading: How to Set Up an Art Caddy and DIY Portable Art Kits for Kids
3. Dedicated Art Table
This could be a dedicated art table or a wall mounted shelf that folds down as a table with a stool tucked underneath.
And you might add a lazy susan or art cart to store art supplies nearby. A great way to incorporate an art space into your best space.
Further Reading: How to Create a Kids Art Space That Will Actually Get Used
4. Art Corner
Do you have a playroom that your kids use and love that you could add an art station? Or possibly a little corner of your house could become an art nook.
Try to set up a small desk or easel, then add wall mounted shelves or pull up an art cart for starters.
Further reading: 6 Simple Ways to Set Up Art Spaces for Kids and How to Set up Art Shelves for Kids
5. Kids Art Room in a Shared Space
Many families use either their dining room or kitchen table for art. The biggest challenge being a shared space often requires the ability for quick tidying up before meals.
Try housing art supplies in furniture nearby such as a corner cabinet, hutch, or credenza. An art cart also works well.
Our family has a wall mounted system for storing finished paper artwork temporarily which aids in cleanup.
Further reading: Making an Art Space at Home
6. Kids Craft Room
This is the dream right? Maybe you don’t think it’s possible to have your own kids art room. But think again!
Our founder, Jean Van’t Hul turned her dining room into a kids art room and Megan Schiller of The Art Pantry used her enclosed front porch to create an amazing kids art room for her girls. This is a chance to think outside the box about your space and what it might allow.
I love this cozy, efficient art space from Teach, Make, Create. It just goes to show that a children’s art studio doesn’t need a big footprint to have a big impact.
Further reading: Why Having An Art Space for Kids Isn’t Just About Art
Design Your Own Kids Craft Room
- Lay a creative foundation for your family with our Artful Parent 101 course. Our associate editor Andrea, loved this course and she found it helpful for prepping her home for her family’s own kids art space.
- Megan Schiller has two super helpful resources to start creating your kids art room. I used her e-guide myself when I hit a wall designing my own children’s art space.
More Art Room Ideas for Kids
- How to Set up Art Shelves for Kids
- Outdoor Tinkerspace for Children
- Making an Art Space at Home
- Top 10 Tips for Creating an Art Space for Kids
- A Peek Inside Our Art Cabinet
