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Child's Desk from an Old Kitchen Cabinet

Child\
In this project, I am making a small desk for my daughter. She tends to be very rough on furniture, so I want a solution that will be inexpensive but will also last a while. Luckily, up in the attic, there are a number of old kitchen cabinets as pictured below. If I squint my eyes a little, and dim the light, I can already see a desk, can't you? Be warned - this is no heirloom piece, but as a six year old, my daughter is convinced I'm a genius.
 
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Step 1Clean the cabinet

Clean the cabinet
This is the easiest step. Simply take a damp towel and some Dollar Store cleaner (thanks Jolene!) and wipe the cabinet clean, inside and out.
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17 comments
Jul 5, 2009. 7:38 AMelmo52 says:
kept waiting to see how the desk was going to manifest, thought article was in a wrong place. finally saw it at the end. i think it's absolutely brilliant. pls post update on how it works for her.
Jul 5, 2009. 7:31 AMelmo52 says:
hilarious. but soooo cute.
Jul 10, 2008. 1:22 AMGrey_Wolfe says:
What about maybe attaching the work surface to a small riser (maybe an inch or two), then putting a tiny lip on it to keep things from sliding off. So as to have an angled work surface when down? Just ideas, it's a fairly excellent idea as is.
Jul 11, 2007. 1:29 PMcharoe says:
it's a bit small, but i love the idea of having a chalkboard on one side! :-) I imagine it could save some room too, being able to put the top up, especially for playing kids. Nice job.
May 24, 2007. 1:40 PMstatic says:
While I know they have to first survive, but many items constructed out recycled items gone one to become heirloom items. How to predict such a thing I don't know, but it's a good a reason of any to keep one reasonably mindful of the quality of their work. Not that I have no criticism of this project, but how great it would be if it could survive so your 60 year old daughter could say old dad is a genius?
May 10, 2007. 9:51 AMkatymg says:
One thing to be careful about with older furniture and cabinets is the presence of lead-based paint, which even if you paint over it is probably not something you want your kid playing around.
Mar 27, 2007. 8:26 AMWhosWho says:
Maybe some foldable legs to support the desk part?? Otherwise, awesome idea, I absolutely love it, what a great idea.
Feb 16, 2007. 4:49 AMCalltaker says:
This is a great instructable and a great idea. I love how you recycled something that a lot of people may have just tossed out. Glad to see you addressed the bracing/locking idea for the top. Too many years as an Emergency Medical Technician to not think of that one... One other suggestion. If you have an old (or new) swing arm lamp, it could be mounted to the side of the cabinet to provide spot on lighting for your daughter while she works. I know I am always telling my son he needs more light to work by :) ~C
Feb 3, 2007. 12:17 PMjckrbbtslm says:
If you glued some long, thin wedges to the top, tapering them toward the front, and re-mounted the desktop hinges to the top of the wedges in the back it would slant downward toward the user. Put on a lip at the bottom and presto! it's a drafting table. I just know it's easier for me to work on a surface that angles toward me than a flat one.
Oct 13, 2006. 5:22 PMRelkniw says:
I would mount the cabinet to the wall, too. If your daughter leans on the protruding part of the desktop as she's climbing onto the stool, it could be catastrophic.
Oct 13, 2006. 5:26 PMRelkniw says:
Forgot to mention: I like the project! And I admire your creativity in recycling. And your magical attic sounds like my father's magical basement! It always has whatever you need.
Oct 9, 2006. 6:42 PMcanida says:
That's pretty neat! My one concern would be keeping the panels upright when in chalkboard position; is there any bracing or locking mechanism? It looks easy to inadvertantly knock them down into the desk position, potentially squishing small fingers.
Oct 11, 2006. 2:43 PMewilhelm says:
You want "lid support brackets." Check out this page on McMaster: http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=2861
Oct 10, 2006. 12:27 AMcanida says:
I'd say away from Velcro, and go for something that you can stably lock into place. The eye/hook or something similar would probably work nicely, and if it's up high your 6 year old would have trouble reaching it.

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