How to Make Nursery Decor With Wooden Blocks

Choose blocks with colors that match the room's decor.

Nursery blocks are classic toys that evoke memories of generations of children piling up blocks and crowing with delight when they knock them down. Alphabet blocks with old fashioned pictures are particularly charming. Blocks can be used to make bookends, lamps and drawer pulls. Changing only the drawer pulls on a classic dresser or wardrobe is a good alternative to purchasing juvenile furniture. When the child gets older, you can change the drawer pulls instead of replacing the furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Lamp kit with wooden base
• Wooden alphabet blocks
• Wood glue
• 2-inch cubical wooden blocks
• Paint (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• Drill
• Screwdriver

Instructions

Lamp

1. Assemble the lamp kit. Choose a lamp kit with a wooden base and a rod for the cord at the back of the base. This allows you to avoid drilling the blocks.

2. Stack wooden blocks on the lamp base, in front of the rod for the cord, until you are pleased with the arrangement. Make a sketch of the arrangement to help you remember it. Remove the base from the lamp.

3. Use wood glue to attach the lowest layer of blocks to the base. Clamp them in place and allow the glue to dry as directed by the manufacturer.

4. Glue the remaining blocks on, one layer at a time. Clamp each layer and allow it to dry before you add the next one.

5. Reassemble the lamp.

Drawer Pull

1. Remove the existing drawer pull. Take the screw to the store and purchase a wood screw the same diameter as the old screw and 1 1/2-inch long.

2. Drill a starter hole in the center of the back of a 2-inch cubical wooden block. Use alphabet blocks, or paint the blocks in bright primary colors. Use a drill bit that is smaller than the diameter of the screw you purchased. Drill the starter hole 1-inch deep.

3. Place the block against the front of the drawer with the hole in the block aligned with the hole in the drawer front. Use a screwdriver to screw a wood screw through the drawer and into the block.

Tips & Warnings

• Make bookends in the same way you made the lamp, by gluing blocks onto a square wooden base. Stack the blocks against one side of the base to form a flat side to place against the books.

• Keep power tools and wood glue away from children.

• Use wood glue in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Country Living; A New Use for Mismatched China: Kelsey Savage Hays