“Here We Grow” Small Projects

Take a closer look at the quick and easy ideas from the playroom makeover for a family with quintuplets. Use the instructions here to add your own spin to a kid-friendly space.

Photography by Brian Francis | Styling by Missie Neville Crawford

Quints Small Projects
Art Gallery

Art GalleryCreate a wall for drawing and posting masterpieces. Approximate cost: $160*

Step-by-Step

Note: You will need a 7- x 7-foot wallspace for this project.

  1. Cut 2 pieces of 15/32-inch-thick 4- x 4-foot plywood to 42 x 42 inches.
  2. Cut 2 more pieces of 4- x 4-foot plywood to 24 x 42 inches.
  3. On one of the 42- x 42-inch pieces, draw an arc from the top right corner to a point on the left side 12 inches up from the bottom left corner. On the same piece, draw an arc from a point 24 inches down from the top right corner to a point 24 inches inward from the bottom left corner. Cut out the arcs using a jigsaw, and discard the small pieces.
  4. Place the piece cut in Step 3 on top of the remaining 42- x 42-inch piece, with the edges flush, and trace the outline of the arcs. Use a jigsaw to cut out the traced arcs.
  5. Sketch a 16- x 11-inch rectangle in your desired location on each 24- x 42-inch piece. Use a jigsaw to cut out these squares.
  6. Prime each piece with magnetic paint, and allow to dry. Paint with your desired color; let dry.
  7. Use #8 x 3/8-inch flat-head metal screws to attach a piece of sheet metal (#128267) to the back of the plywood for each rectangular opening.
  8. Position the 24- x 42-inch pieces in desired locations on the wall, and attach using 2-inch screws.
  9. Attach one arc piece to the wall flush with the bottom piece. Align the second arc piece flush with the bottom piece and with the first arc, and attach to the wall. Note: The arc pieces will be mirror images.
  10. Attach a dry-erase panel (#16605) to the wall inside the plywood frame using heavy-duty construction adhesive.
  11. Attach double robe hooks to the assembly.
Good to Know

You can attach magnetic discs (#181666) to the backs of small wooden moulding pieces or rosettes using Liquid Nails (#239057).

Creation Station

Creation StationClick here for instructions on building your own kid-sized set of table and chairs.

Door Display

Door DisplayReuse cabinet doors as a gallery for colorful works of art. Approximate cost: $35* (not including cost of cabinet)

Step-by-Step
  1. Remove the doors from two tall utility cabinets.
  2. Apply primer and interior eggshell-finish paint to the front frame and inlay of each door. For added interest, use contrasting colors as shown.
  3. Attach accessories, such as a paper-towel holder (#57141) and coat hooks, using a drill/driver and the provided hardware. For the upper door, attach rope (#66538) at desired intervals using 2-inch wood screws.
  4. Secure the doors to wall studs using 3-inch wood screws.
  5. Use clothespins to hang artwork on the upper door, and add masking paper (#154751) to the holder.
Painted Plates

Painted LampshadesAdd a punch of color to the room. Approximate cost: $6* (per plate)

Step-by-Step
  1. Lightly sand an unfinished wooden switch plate.
  2. Use a 1-inch foam paintbrush to apply a coat of primer and interior eggshell-finish paint in your desired color. If necessary, add a second coat, and allow each coat to dry.
  3. Sketch your own design using a pencil, or create a dot pattern using small round household bottles. Fill in the sketch or pattern using a small brush and your choice of paint. Allow to dry.
  4. Attach to the wall using provided hardware.
Good To Know

This project also works well for electrical outlet plates.

#8 Hopscotch

HopscotchFun is just a hop, skip, and jump away with this easy to assemble runner. Approximate cost: $30*

Step-by-Step
  1. Cut 20 (8-inch) pieces of white duct tape (#156887). Use a hobby knife to split the pieces down the middle, creating 40 (8-inch) strips.
  2. Create 10 boxes on the runner (#50696) using the tape strips as shown.
  3. Use a pencil to sketch the numbers 1 through 10 in the boxes as shown.
  4. Use a foam brush to paint the numbers with the desired color of interior eggshell-finish paint. Allow to dry.
  5. Paint a large washer (#63310) to use as a game marker. Allow to dry. 
  6. Adhere carpet tape (#15140) to the underside of the runner for added safety.
Storage Bench

Storage BenchUse color to dress up a white storage bench. Approximate cost: $55*

Step-by-Step
  1. Sketch numbers and letters in different sizes onto WallPOPS found in the walls and windows department. Or create stencils in a document on your computer. Adjust the font to your desired size, and then print a copy. Cut out the numbers and letters, and trace them onto the WallPOPS.
  2. Attach the shapes to a clean surface on a storage bench (#108517; availability varies by market).
Bowling

BowlingUse PVC pipe to create this game in your child’s playroom. Approximate cost: $40

Step-by-Step
  1. Use a miter saw or handsaw to cut the PVC pipes (#23831) into ten 7-inch sections.
  2. Apply a small bead of silicone (#47209) around the bottom of a piece of cut PVC pipe, and then place it in the center of a 2-inch coupling (#23316). Repeat for all 10 pieces. Allow to dry for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Apply a smaller bead of silicone around the inside of a 1 1/2-inch coupling (#23281), and then slip it onto the top of a cut PVC piece. Repeat for all 10 pieces, wiping away any excess silicone, and allow to dry for at least 10 minutes.
  4. Spray the completed pieces with two coats of white primer (#282324). Allow to dry between coats.
  5. Cut 10 (2-inch) pieces of red electrical tape (#19366). Next, cut these 10 pieces down the center to create 20 (2-inch) pieces of tape. Place one piece of tape just below the top of the 1 1/2-inch coupling. Place another piece about 1 inch below that strip. Repeat for the remaining pins.
Good To Know

To create a defined area for the lane, you can use a 27-inch x 8-foot piece of carpet runner (#50696). A Lowe’s associate can cut the carpet to your desired length. For added safety, adhere carpet tape (#15140) to the underside of the runner.

*Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market, or the cost of paint and tools.

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Project Details
Skill level: Advanced
Rough cost estimate: $3,560*

Flooring: $1,130
Lighting: $260
Paint: $305
Lockers: $1,205
Storage benches: $135
Art gallery: $125
Door display: $60
Costume closet: $140
Accessories: $200

Rough time estimate: 2 weeks**
Flooring
  • laminate (Dolce, Mahogany, #235110)
  • quarter-round moulding (Dolce, #238540)
  • underlayment (#114729)
Lighting
  • 8 recessed lights
  • wall plates (Brainerd, unfinished)
  • swag light kit (#76273)
  • lampshades (4-inch, #126958; 7-inch, #235461)
Paint
  • walls (Valspar Ultra Premium, Holmes Cream 3004-10B,  eggshell)
  • trim (Valspar Ultra Premium, Du Jour 7002-6, semi-gloss)
  • ceiling (Valspar Ultra Premium, Honeymilk 7003-4, flat)
  • wall stripes and lockers (Valspar Signature Colors; Eddie Bauer Home, Mineral Blue EB6-1; Eddie Bauer Home, Reef EB7-2; Laura Ashley Home, Apple 4 LA1004; Eddie Bauer Home, Zest EB1-2; Waverly Home Classics, Harvest Sun WV33014; wall stripes, eggshell; lockers, semi-gloss)
  • primer (Valspar Interior Latex Multipurpose Primer, #168215)
Storage Benches
  • storage chests (ClosetMaid, #108517***)
  • wallpaper border (Norwall, Watch Me Grow, Model GU79238, Special Order)
  • numbers and letters (WallPOPS***)
  • drawer organizer inside bench (5-piece, #228945)
Art Gallery
  • 4 sheets of plywood, 15/32-inch x 4- x 4-foot***
  • 1 dry-erase board (4- x 8-foot, #16605)
  • 2 metal sheets (12- x 24-inch, #128267)
  • double hooks (#89226****)
  • yellow rope (#66538)
Door Display
  • panels (doors removed from lockers)
  • yellow rope (#66538)
  • single hooks (#71296, #168979)
  • paper-towel holder (chrome, #57141)
  • 1 roll of masking paper (#154751)
  • 3 galvanized bins (#66661)
Accessories
  • cordless blinds (Levolor, white, Special Order)
Paint used for small projects:
  • Valspar Interior Latex High-Hiding Primer
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Zest EB1-2, interior eggshell
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Reef EB7-2, interior eggshell
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Mineral Blue EB6-1, interior eggshell
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Laura Ashley Home, Apple 6 LA1006, interior eggshell
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Waverly Home Classics, Harvest Sun WV33014, interior eggshell
  • Valspar Signature Colors, Martha Stewart Colors, Wick MS187, interior eggshell

  *Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

  **Does not include lead time for Special Order materials.

***Availability varies by market.

****Available by Special Order in some markets.

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