PMQ for two

Bold, Bright and Colourful Home Decor & DIYs

  • Home
  • About me
    • Press
    • Policies
  • Download Colour & Pattern Mixing Guide
  • Project Gallery
  • What is a PMQ?
    • The duplex
    • The Row House Tour

DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf

June 12, 2020~ Baby, DIY and craft projects, Furniture DIY, living room

In our living room refresh, we made a dedicated play area for June. We’v been reading-up on various child development ideas, and we really like the ideas in the Montessori system, so Dan built her a DIY Mid Century Modern Toy Shelf using one sheet of 1/2″ Maple plywood.

*The Whimsy Shop sponsored this post, but all thoughts are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make PMQ for two possible.

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

Our living room is a slow burn renovation. We started with new flooring from Golden Select, and then re-arranged all the furniture, and that freed-up space for a toy area on the wall next to the fireplace.

What is a Montessori Toy Shelf?

A Montessori approach allows the child to select their activity based on their interest, and enables them to complete the activity from start to finish on their own. This means displaying activities at eye level, in an easy to access way. The traditional set-up only has two shelves, but June is going to be tall, so we took a gamble and made 3!

The run-on from that, is that it also means providing toys that create open-ended play. That is to say, the toys and activities have no pre-determined limitations and no fixed answer – children simply follow their imagination. 

Check out my Colourful Baby Registry Ideas

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

As the site Montikids highlights “Low shelves are a fundamental element of the Montessori method, enabling children to practice independence as they select the materials they wish to explore.” 

In a nutshell: a low shelf with simple toys that isn’t too cluttered.

The Montessori Emphasis on Beautiful Things

The Montessori approach places a premium on a beautiful learning environment. One that is calm, serene, and colourful. 

Most importantly, it’s also full of natural elements like wood, fibres etc. They’re nicer to play with, last longer, and are usually associated with open ended play.

Check out my post about how to style Children’s Bookshelves

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

This is where The Whimsy Shop comes into play (see what I did there). They stock beautifully made, wood or ceramic, minimalist decorative objects.

We’ve been building a delightful collection of natural element toys for June to play with, so when The Whimsy Shop offered to send us a few items for consideration, we jumped at the chance to include such beautiful toys in our collection.

We chose the Orange Racer  and the White Beast for June, and the red Beachwood Olifant for ourselves (less a play toy for now, more decor!)

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

June can play with any of these, but we can also use them as decor since they don’t look out of place in our sleek mid century modern inspired aesthetic.

Mid Century Modern Montessori  Toy Shelf Build Plans

Materials needed

  • 1 sheet of 4 x 8′ x 0.5″ Maple Ply
  • Wood screws #6 x 1″ – 100 count
  • 1 bottle of wood glue
  • 150 & 220 grit sandpaper
  • Hempseed Finishing Oil

Tools needed

  • table saw
  • mitre saw
  • 2 x 90* clamps
  • 2 x 12″ clamps
  • cordless driver
  • cordless hand drill
  • Robertson Bit #1
  • countersink Bit #1
  • Stud Finder + Level

*When we bought the sheet of Maple ply, we had it cut in store to accommodate the tools we had at home.

Cut List for the 4  x 8′ maple sheet

  • 3 x 10″ rip cuts (i.e 10″ x 8′)
  • 2 x 2″ rip cutes (i.e 2″ x 8′)

These next cuts are made on those 5 pieces that you just ripped

  • 10″ x 42″ x 2
  • 10″ x 36″ x 2
  • 10″ x 10″ x 9 – you’ll want to do these with a cross-cut sled on a table saw
  • 2″ x 32.5″ x 3

How to assemble the MCM Montessori shelf

Now that you’ve cut all the pieces from the sheet of ply, give everything a quick sand before assembling. You’re assembling the shelf from the bottom-up.

The wood shelf is assembled using wood glue, clamps, and screws. Total assembly time is dictated by the number of clamps you have.

 Create the bottom shelf using a 42″ and 36″ piece, as well as three of 10 x 10″ pieces.

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

In the next step, you’re using the other 42″ piece, and another three 10 x 10″ pieces. Make sure you’re respecting the 2″ off-sett to create the zig and zag in the shelf. 

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

The top shelf uses the last 36″ piece, and the final three 10 x 10″ pieces. Once again, watch for the off-sets.

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

Because this shelf is free-floating and attached to the wall, you’re adding the three 32.5″ pieces to the back of the shelving. You’ll be drilling into the studs through these.

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

Your final product should look like this:

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog. Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

With our beautiful floors, and a re-arranged living room, the bookshelf fits right in. Dan applied Hempseed Oil to the maple shelf once complete, and it brought out the beautiful colour of the wood.

Check out our other build projects

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

Embrace the Montessori method with an easy to access toy set-up for your kid & marry your decor style, with this DIY Mid Century Modern Montessori Toy Shelf. Full build plans and cut list on the blog.

✨Are you signed-up for my new post updates? ✨

* indicates required
Email Format

1 Comment

How to throw an “everyone’s birthday” Party »
« VELUX SUN TUNNEL Skylights

Comments

  1. Angie says

    June 12, 2020 at 8:03 am

    Looks great! Im sure June will enjoy it and the indépendance of choosing things for herself! ????

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

woman in red dress on counter

Hi! My name is Ariel and I'm the voice behind PMQ for two. I'm an internet rubbernecker, creative soul, and mom

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

PMQ for three

Time For A Cocktail

pmqfortwo

Ariel - PMQ for two
Someone asked if Bruce and Boots were still around Someone asked if Bruce and Boots were still around - yes they are! They’re just getting old, they’re tired of my antics, and honestly spend a good chunk of time sleeping. To be honest, who isn’t 😅 
Happy Friday? 

#wallpaperwednesday #wallpaperdirect #irishsettersofinstagram #lapofluxury #bhgstylemaker #bhghome
Excuse me, have you seen these floors?! AD: The Ch Excuse me, have you seen these floors?! AD: The Champagne Oak flooring from @goldenselect is the one element (other than paint) that runs throughout our house! It’s a unifying element, and brings depth to each space, especially the ones built around neutrals. It’s waterproof, exceptionally durable (to pets and kids!) and easy to clean. It’s also the flooring we installed in our last home, so you know we love it! 

#vinylflooring #goldenselectflooring #costcofinds #kitchenflooring #bhgstylemaker #springflowers #sodomino #kitchendecor #kitchendesign
Would like to further immortalize Dan’s epic pre Would like to further immortalize Dan’s epic pre-baby beard and moustache combo on the grid 👨🏻‍🦰 and remind you that I have a healthy offering of cocktail recipes on the blog. This Lemon 🍋 & Gin Champagne cocktail is a delightful spring recipe! 

#mancrusheveryday #gingerbeard #bhgfood #cocktailoftheday #cocktailrecipes #champagnecocktail
Because you can’t do just do photos or just do a Because you can’t do just do photos or just do a reel, you gotta do both! Anything you’re curious about price wise? Happy to do a reel and explain costs for this space in the context of the build! Here are the details - AD - @villalagoontile Zellige tiles in Iceberg for the shower walls, @officialmetrie casing and architrave on window and door, and baseboard. And the entire space is ultra pure white from @behrpaint. ✨ We purchased the following: mirrors through @homesensecanada, lights from @wayfaircanada, faucets from @kraususa through @homedepotcanada, sinks/toilet/bathtub/shower doors through our plumbing supplier, vanity is a custom build, floor tiles were from a local supplier, and plumbing fixtures in matte black are @deltafaucetcan, and the bath mats are from @urbanoutfitters 

#architecturaldigest #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #bathroominspiration #modernbathroom #midcenturymoderndesign
Spring is on the horizon, I swear! Only 5 more sno Spring is on the horizon, I swear! Only 5 more snow storms to get through. AD: in the meantime, I’ve got @mrsmeyerscleandaycanada’s NEW Rain Water detergent to bridge the gap between snow storms and rain storms. 🧺 I use the liquid detergent to keep our clothes clean, smelling fresh, and in ship shape for all that life with a toddler throws our way. Head to my stories for more details! 

#mrsmeyerscleanday #laundryroommakeover #laundryroomdecor #laundryroomgoals #bhgstylemaker #hgtvmagazine #potterybarn
Today is a weird one. So here’s a fun throwback Today is a weird one. So here’s a fun throwback to my Nancy Drew cover fun back in spring 2020. Funny how two years has gone by eh? 

#nancydrew #closetorganization #closetgoals #walkincloset #eclectichomemix #eclectichome #bhgstylemaker #wallpaperwednesday
June met Rupert, and immediately wanted to read to June met Rupert, and immediately wanted to read to him. These two have got a friendship based in love, snuggles, reading, and causing absolute chaos - they’ll get along just fine. 🐅 

#kittensarelikethat #welcometothefamily #kidsroomdecor #kidsroominspiration #houseofcats #kidsplayroom #eclectichome #collectedhome
Follow on Instagram

- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -