How to create a LEGO workstation

How I created a LEGO workstation using simple shelving and the Ikea SKADIS system.

LEGO is a classic. The type of toy that sparks creativity in children of all ages. But man, those suckers will have you droppin’ mad dollars in the swear jar when you step on one in the middle of the night.

From an organizational standpoint, they bring on a level of frustration that will make you want to throw them ALL in the dumpster some days. BUT, they also draw my kids away from the tablets and video games, so I’m waving the white flag. I just love watching the imaginative creations they engineer from random mismatched pieces, and they stories they conjure up to describe them.

So, LEGO, you win.

I’ve fought the organizational challenge that is LEGO for so long. We’ve tried sorting by color, size, building kit etc…. you name it we’ve tried it. We own a LOT of LEGOS. So the majority of them reside in an Ikea trofast setup like this one in our finished basement.

Inevitably, the small pieces still make their way upstairs, so I wanted a small space for the boys to build and create in their room. I came up with this LEGO workstation using simple box store shelving and the Ikea SKADIS pegboard system. My inspiration came from these spaces by At Charlotte’s House & Dreaming of Homemaking. It houses just enough pieces to keep them occupied and incorporates some fuss free storage options.

The shelves and desktop were constructed from basic white closest shelving you can purchase at most home improvement type stores. The laminate finish allows them to be easily wiped down when we we have sticky fingers.

I mounted the worktop using basic metal L brackets from underneath. Make sure to place into studs or use anchors to support their weight.

The shelving is supported by some basic unfinished wood brackets I found at Walmart. They’re a $4 dupe that look just like the Ikea Ekby bracket. I painted the raw wood a matte black black using this spray paint, and simply placed the pre made shelves on top.

Two of the Ikea SKADIS pegboard panels mounted side by side form the base of the pegboard wall. The panels are very lightweight, and come with mounting hardware that holds them away from the wall.

Team ROYGBIV or Team Neutral?

I knew I wanted a way to separate the colors in true ROYGBIV fashion. I ultimately chose this system because of the budget friendly slide out storage containers. They hook right into the pegboard, and the durable plastic will hold up well.

Now time for the fun part!

Once the heavy lifting was done it was time to piece everything together. I did my best to keep things simple. Kids seem to always have a different idea of how spaces should be maintained! ; )

That yellow storage head is a LEGO classic and holds a ton of pieces. Shelves from the SKADIS system hook right into the pegboard and hold some spare baseplates. An idea book, as well as some well loved Minifigure creations occupy the other two. Our youngest son really loves to make mix and match minifig creations so I sort and store all of the spare bits and pieces in this drawer organizer. It was a TJ Maxx find that I spray painted with the same color as the shelving.

The adorable little hanging basket from Target is a catch all for the random pieces I find around the house. I collect and drop, then they can sort! The Etsy printableis just perfect for summing up life with littles and LEGOS! I purchased the graphic from this Etsy shop, and attached it to some scrap wood with twine for a cute little hanging sign.

Let me just tell you how excited I am about how it all came together! Maybe even more excited than the kids. Per usual when it comes to “Mom’s crazy ideas!”

We have plans to take the kids to LEGOland Florida in the fall so I’m doing all I can to encourage their Master Builder Skills!

I’m working on a more detailed post about LEGO storage for you guys, but I just couldn’t wait to share this adorable little space! Hopefully I’ve inspired some of you to create your owner builder friendly spaces! As always, I love to see your projects too, so tag me on Instagram @themartinnest where I share loads more of life on the daily!