Childrens/Kids Desk Design

[Chris Padilla]

Well, this may well get moved to the design forum but I'll start it here nevertheless.

I'm looking for ideas on a design of a kid's desk. My wife is into the "Pottery Barn" designs/styles and thus I imagine the wood will be birch/poplar and it will all be painted white :(. It'll still be fun! :D

She is currently 4.5 years old and I want something that will grow with her for a while...perhaps the next 4-5 years?? I'm not sure about how to design something what will grow with her but I'm looking forward to links, ideas, plans, etc.

Thanks!

[Jim Becker]

Given her current stature, something with adjustable height would preserve longevity without requiring a "tall chair" at present. I'm finding this to be a situation with our six year old in many cases.

One thing you didn't mention was whether you wanted something that is just a surface (nice for younger kids 'cause they can also play UNDER it) or something with storage. ;)

[Matt Meiser]

If your 4.5 year old is like my 4.5 year old, I would look at something other than painted wood for the top surface. Think washable. Even better, washable with solvent that removes permanent marker.

Along the lines of what Jim was saying, my daughter won't sit on her butt for more than a minute or two and then she's up on her knees. I expect that will stay that way until she gets a tall enough that that is uncomfortable for her. When she uses the computer or colors at the kitchen table she doesn't have any problems with the surface height. Before deciding what to build, I'd observe her doing things like that to see if you really want to go to the trouble of making it adjustable.

If you are going to build a traditional desk with a stack of drawers on each side, one way to make it adjustable would be to build a set of boxes that fit under each drawer stack that maybe look like a baseboard molding. Leave them in storage for now, then when she gets bigger, lift the desk on top of them to raise it up.

[Carl Eyman]

See if you can look at Woodsmith's index and find their desk. It is probably 15 years old or more. I made my granddaughter this desk when she was in Kindergarden or first grade. It fearures trestle legs that can be adjusted through a wide range. It will adjust for different size people as well as different uses. The top will tilt up for drafting or drawing and is large. There are only two drawers, but the plans include a roll-around single drawer file cabinet that fits under the desk. My Gd is a junior in college now; so she doesn't use it at home anymore, but her younger sister does. When hurricane Katrina damaged my son's detached office building and he had to establish an office inside the house, it was pressed into service there. I believe it is a great design.

By contrast I made my grandson a desk when he was starting school. It was Norm Abram's "Student Desk" Worked well, but no fixed size desk can accomodate a kindergardener and a 6' 4" highschool senior; so it gets little use now.

BTW the top surface is a pressure laminate (i.e. Formica) Held up well thru pait by numbers, fingernail polish, cosmetics, arts & crafts, etc.

I'll be glad to try to find a picture for you. The desk is 60 miles away; so I can't take a picture, but I may be able to find one. I'll be glad to lend you the Woodsmith issue that gives very detailed plans and instructions. Let me know.

[Lee Schierer]

I made this one for my granddaughter about 5 years ago. She is still using it as is her brotherhttp://home.earthlink.net/~us71na/emilydesk.jpg

[Chris Padilla]

Given her current stature, something with adjustable height would preserve longevity without requiring a "tall chair" at present. I'm finding this to be a situation with our six year old in many cases.

One thing you didn't mention was whether you wanted something that is just a surface (nice for younger kids 'cause they can also play UNDER it) or something with storage. ;)

What we may do is buy a chair and I'll fit a desk to it. Something with a file-cabinet-like storage may work. My wife wants flutes and turned legs and fancy scroll-work but all that is a bit much for me. I can handle the flutes and some tapered legs might be nice but I don't wanna turn anything.

[Chris Padilla]

If your 4.5 year old is like my 4.5 year old, I would look at something other than painted wood for the top surface. Think washable. Even better, washable with solvent that removes permanent marker.

Along the lines of what Jim was saying, my daughter won't sit on her butt for more than a minute or two and then she's up on her knees. I expect that will stay that way until she gets a tall enough that that is uncomfortable for her. When she uses the computer or colors at the kitchen table she doesn't have any problems with the surface height. Before deciding what to build, I'd observe her doing things like that to see if you really want to go to the trouble of making it adjustable.

If you are going to build a traditional desk with a stack of drawers on each side, one way to make it adjustable would be to build a set of boxes that fit under each drawer stack that maybe look like a baseboard molding. Leave them in storage for now, then when she gets bigger, lift the desk on top of them to raise it up.

Thanks, Matt, you've given me some ideas to chew on.

[Chris Padilla]

See if you can look at Woodsmith's index and find their desk. It is probably 15 years old or more. I made my granddaughter this desk when she was in Kindergarden or first grade. It fearures trestle legs that can be adjusted through a wide range. It will adjust for different size people as well as different uses. The top will tilt up for drafting or drawing and is large. There are only two drawers, but the plans include a roll-around single drawer file cabinet that fits under the desk. My Gd is a junior in college now; so she doesn't use it at home anymore, but her younger sister does. When hurricane Katrina damaged my son's detached office building and he had to establish an office inside the house, it was pressed into service there. I believe it is a great design.

By contrast I made my grandson a desk when he was starting school. It was Norm Abram's "Student Desk" Worked well, but no fixed size desk can accomodate a kindergardener and a 6' 4" highschool senior; so it gets little use now.

BTW the top surface is a pressure laminate (i.e. Formica) Held up well thru pait by numbers, fingernail polish, cosmetics, arts & crafts, etc.

I'll be glad to try to find a picture for you. The desk is 60 miles away; so I can't take a picture, but I may be able to find one. I'll be glad to lend you the Woodsmith issue that gives very detailed plans and instructions. Let me know.

Carl,

If you wouldn't mind digging that up for me, I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks!

[Chris Padilla]

I made this one for my granddaughter about 5 years ago. She is still using it as is her brother

Lee,

I had something like that in mind but it is looking like my wife wants something way fancier. I do like the lifting lid.

Keep the ideas coming, Folks! :)

[Floyd Rogers]

Chris,

I posted a design attempt much like Lee's desk in the design form, but for 2 grand kids. Look for Kids activity desk.

Floyd

[Chris Padilla]

Chris,

I posted a design attempt much like Lee's desk in the design form, but for 2 grand kids. Look for Kids activity desk.

Floyd

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=37588

Floyd,

I found it but I guess I need SU installed to see it?

[Floyd Rogers]

You can download it for free. Then you can view or design your own.;)
http://sketchup.google.com/

Floyd

[Carl Eyman]

I'll try to post pictures of the desk I made from Woodsmith. One a picture of what I made in oak with a tannish stain - not dark- and a leather pattern Formica top. The other is a picture of Woodsmith's issue #31 cover which first presented the desk. I'll lend you the issue if you want. (I imagine it's out of print.

Note the pedestals with sliding dovetails and a pin to fix height. My desk is adjusted almost at lowest height while cover picture shows it at a more adult height.

[Roger Wilson]

If you want a desk that will last all through childhood into college consider David Marks mission style writing desk. It is a very simple desgin with small drawers.

You can modify it as you please making it out of whatever wood you need.

The top could be modified so that you have a center section of laminated plywood surrounded by wood edging (like a picture frame).

Clear finished maple might match existing white furniture well enough, thus avoiding the issue of painting it and in later years stripping and repainting it due to wear and tear.

He calls it an Arts and Crafts Library Desk:

http://www.djmarks.com/woodworks/204.asp

[Chris Padilla]

Thanks for the Marks' pointer...I don't beleive I've seen that episode or have it on my DVR but I shall check!

Update: I found it stored nice and safely on my DVR!! :D

[Roger Wilson]

Another source for the plans and instructions for a greene & greene style writing desk is the book:

Desks by Andy Charron ISBN: 1-56158-348-0

The book covers a number of other desk styles as well including the traditional filing cabinet desk. My feeling on that having built one is that a writing desk gives you the surface you need and separate filing cabinets give you the storage you need (whether you buy or build them) making the project go much quicker.

[Julio Navarro]

I hope Shelley Bolster reads trhis thread, she has some great ideas for kids furniture that grows with them. I bet she can give you some good suggestions.

[Chris Padilla]

Roger, thanks for the book idea...I'll see if my local bookstore has it.

Shelley! Shelley!! Julio "told" on you...where are ya? ;)

:)

[Shelley Bolster]

Hey Chris....after the goof-up I just made in the shop, (no - no blood was let this time :o ) I am probably the last person that should be suggesting anything remotely to do with woodworking but for what it is worth, I am sending you a PM.
Oh yeah Julio - I appreciate the vote of confidence but I am afraid I don't deserve it.