This project was built and designed by Stan Sullivan. It’s a compact and efficient art supply station meant to simplify home school spaces and keep essential materials organized and accessible.
Designed with functionality and flexibility in mind, this project is a great way to create designated storage for glue sticks, scissors, pencils, and more—using leftover materials or simple plywood. Stan walks through every step of the process, helping woodworkers of all experience levels bring order to their creative learning environments.
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A Smarter Way to Organize Home School Supplies
Creating a functional home school setup is more than just having a desk and a few bins. It’s about designing a space where creativity and learning can happen without chaos. This project focuses on making supplies easy to find, use, and put away.
Stan’s art supply station fits that need by incorporating thoughtful compartments and clean lines. The project also complements other classroom furniture and can be adapted in size or layout depending on the user’s needs.
Using What You Have on Hand
One of the standout aspects of this build is how budget-friendly it is. Stan uses leftover plywood from a cabinet project to complete the entire art supply station. This not only saves money but also reduces waste—something many DIYers value.
Whether you’re working with offcuts, scrap hardwood, or fresh plywood from the store, the design can be adjusted to fit the material. Stan also shares a downloadable cut list and cutting diagram on his website, making the project easier to plan before making a single cut.
Cutting and Planning the Parts
Stan emphasizes the importance of careful planning—especially when using dado and rabbet joinery. For experienced woodworkers, it may be quicker to cut multiple panels in batches. But for beginners or those working with tighter tolerances, cutting and assembling one section at a time helps avoid measurement slipups.
The joinery includes grooves and recesses that must line up perfectly to create a strong, square structure. Double-checking measurements and dry-fitting before gluing ensures the assembly goes smoothly.
Building from the Inside Out
The build starts by assembling the center compartments first. This “inside-out” method helps maintain alignment and makes it easier to clamp everything in place. Wood glue is applied in the dadoes, and clamps are used to hold the structure square while the adhesive cures.
Stan uses right-angle clamps for added precision and recommends checking each corner before moving to the next step. Taking a moment to inspect as you go can prevent small errors from becoming larger problems later in the build.
Edge Banding for a Clean Look
Once the basic frame is together, the next step is edge banding. Stan offsets his front and back panels slightly to accommodate for banding thickness—this trick helps achieve a seamless, flush result once the banding is applied.
Edge banding not only improves the appearance of plywood edges but also reinforces those vulnerable corners. After banding, the entire project is sanded smooth and prepared for finish.
A few coats of clear satin polyurethane protect the surface and make the station easier to clean. This is also a great opportunity to personalize the piece with a splash of color or a label system to match your classroom’s look.
Creating Purposeful Storage
Stan doesn’t stop with a box and some shelves—he customizes compartments for frequently used tools. With a Forstner bit, he drills clean holes for scissors, glue sticks, and markers.
These holes are positioned in a way that makes it easy for kids to grab what they need and put it back in the right spot. This kind of built-in order encourages responsibility and independence, especially in young learners.
The layout of the compartments can be modified depending on your family’s specific needs. Want more space for paper trays? Need extra cubbies for art supplies? The modular design makes those updates simple.
Why This Project Matters
The value of this project goes beyond the wood and glue. It’s about creating a space that works better—for kids, for parents, and for anyone teaching or learning at home.
By making supplies visible and accessible, the station reduces clutter and the frustration that often comes with digging through drawers or bins. It’s a small upgrade that has a big impact on daily learning routines.
Stan’s approach also highlights how woodworking doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated to be effective. With a few tools and a weekend of shop time, you can build something that adds both function and beauty to your space.
Get Stan’s plans here: https://www.simplyeasydiy.com/2016/07/diy-home-school-art-supply-station.html.