The School Armoire

With the advent of the flat screen tv, the old standard console has come to the end of its days.  You can find them a plenty at second hand stores, at garage sales and even at the end of driveways with a neon sign screaming 'FREE'!!    ...(WORKS!....I'LL DELIVER IT!  I'LL EVEN HOOK IT UP!   Just take it away...PLEASE!!)

For all of us who have upgraded to a flat screen, which is quite a few of us,  you're probably wondering what on earth to do with the beautiful entertainment armoire that housed  the bulk of your console for the duration of it's stay in your home.  

Here's what I did with mine.  With three of my children still in school I needed a place to keep all of their 'school' related items organized.  Within the main doors I simply used inexpensive plastic drawer units to keep things tidy.  There are three drawers, each one designated to one child.  That unit houses their school papers, artwork that has come back home (I don't throw away art!), permission slips, notes, you name it.  If it comes from school, it's in there.  There is also another unit with two drawers holding loose leaf, graph and plain paper.  The smaller three-drawer unit holds an extra supply of pens, pencils, colored pencils, markers erasers, clips and index cards.  I have a utensil organizer sitting at the top for easy access to rulers, calculators, scissors and sharpened pencils.  You will also find a three hole punch, tape and a stapler.  Because this was an entertainment unit, the inside corner holds an electric source.  Therefore, I can also house an electric sharpener and light to illuminate the contents.  The bottom part of the unit houses project supplies, a few unused, albiet recycled, composition books, binders, folders, book socks, glue gun and a mishmosh of writing/coloring/creating utensils.   

Inside one of the upper doors I glued on cork to hold the school calendar, a us/global map and school menu.  The other side simply holds each child's school course schedule along with their teacher names.

You may ask  'what's that on the bottom left, wrapped in plastic?'  Well, it's my re-energizing machine...or more aptly named, karaoke machine.  When I'm having a down day...I whip it out...plug in a cd, and literally sing my blues away.  It's a boost better than coffee!!!!  What does this have to do with school organization?  Nothing.

Anyway, as you can see, my aged tv armoire has been re-cycled as a school organization station.  It's not fancy but it works for me!!!

A few more ideas are:
*  If you have a small space, you can create an office area. 
*  Insert shelves and use it as a linen closet or food pantry.
*  Baby room supply cabinet. 
*  Create a breakfast nook, where it houses the coffee pot, sugars, toaster, bread (you can close it up   
    when you're done)

****If you have another idea, please share below, so our fellow armoire owners have idea options*****