Play Kitchen Set From Entertainment Center

You know those old entertainment centers that are now almost obsolete since they don't accommodate flat screen TVs very well? They make excellent kitchen sets with just a little bit of paint and creativity!

Step 1:

Took me a couple of weeks to find the perfect one on Craigslist. Was looking for space for the "oven" and "refrigerator". For the same price as others were attempting to ask for a particle wood one, I got one that was a litte bit more solid. Tad taller than what I was looking for but what sold me on it was the hidden "pantry"........ Read "storage"!!!

Step 2:

Removed the cardboard backing and replaced with thin plywood.

Step 3:

Select paint colors and paint. I kept the colors pretty basic, along with being more appropriate to resembling an actual kitchen.

Silver oven door. Spray paint did not work well. Martha Stewart metallic paint worked really well.

Orange is her favorite color. Thought I'd throw it in somewhere, and where such a bright color could be hidden. This is the hidden pantry.

The black is chalkboard paint.

Step 4:

Use a jigsaw to cut out the sink out. Drill for the faucet holes.

Tile to set over night, mounted with liquid nails. Originally, I wanted to use the tile as a back splash but once I saw it inside the kitchen, it was much too tall. Not to waste good .25 tile, it became a decorative piece.

Step 5:

It's a bit of an eclectic kitchen! :-) And I love that fact!

My budget for the entire project was $100 for everything. Entertainment center - paint - hardware - accessories - etc. I came in right at $125. Not bad. From what I've seen of those plastic kitchen sets, this is far better and cheaper!

Being that I needed to stay within a budget, meant pulling together random materials that I found.

I went to a ReStore. Help Habitat for Humanity. At the Restore, I found 6x6 slate tile for .25 a piece, faucet for $6, enough of each matching handles & hinges for .25 each, and cabinet doors for $1-$2 a piece. I walked out with everything for a total bill of $15.55!!