Our toddler is getting busier and really enjoying role play activities. She loves baby dolls and copying what she can see her Mama doing. I thought she would be the perfect age for a play kitchen. I remember enjoying our little dinky play kitchen growing up for YEARS. I wanted something solid and love a good DIY project so spent sometime looking for a bedside table that I could transform into the perfect play kitchen.
Ok so here’s what we’re starting with! I liked that it was a good solid piece of furniture and I could for sure see the potential. I got it for $30 from a second hand shop.
Here was my plan:
- Sand it back.
- Cut legs shorter.
- Cut a hole in the top for a sink and tap.
- Find two mini vinyl records for elements.
- Enclose the bottom shelf and add an oven door.
Firstly I sanded it back and painted parts of it white. I wanted to ensure the tricky parts were painted before they were enclosed.
I set off to my parent’s house. My Dad used to be a builder so had the tools and knowledge to bring my vision to life. I observed while he did the hard bits. Thanks Dad!
He had some old bits of plywood that were the perfect thickness to fit in the sides to enclose it.
A scrap piece of MDF made the perfect door once hinged at the bottom. We then added a magnetic latch at the top.
We only needed a few supplies from the hardware store such as:
- a magnetic latch
- two small drawer pulls
- one larger drawer pull for the towel rail
- small hooks for the side
Now it was time to paint! I had leftover paint from doing our skirting boards at home so used that. It took (gasp) four coats to get the perfect covering.
Once the paint was dry, I installed the hardware, glued in the tap, sink and elements and applied the hooks to the side.
The result
Voila! Are you as in love as I am? I’m so stoked with it. I love the contrast of the fresh white paint against the gold hardware.
Supplies List:
- Bedside table: $30
- Magnetic catch: $4.95
- Gold Command hooks: $9.98
- Brushed brass cabinet handle: $7.36 each
- Brushed brass cabinet handle (for towel rail): $18.88
- Vinyl records: $0.50 each
- Stainless steel bowl: $8.00
- Mini pan: $2.00
- Mini chopping board: $2.00
- Tap: $5
Total cost: $96.47
The cabinet handles for sure made the project cost a lot more but I think they complete it! Because it’s so well made, it should last forever (or almost) too!
