My 10 year old girl has been wanting a vanity in her bedroom for quite some time. Her teenage cousin has one in her room and it’s “the coolest thing ever”. My practical mom thought was that it would be much more functional for the size of her room if we could create a desk space where she could do homework and be creative with her art supplies that could also function as the vanity she’s been wanting. I’m all about maximizing space and marrying form with function. At 10 she’ll be dealing with more homework this coming school year and being the creative that she is she could use a spot in her room to sit and draw or make beaded jewelry. As much as she wants a vanity to “get ready” she’s not quite at that stage just yet, but I know those years are coming probably sooner than I’d like. So creating a functional homework and art desk that could also be used as a vanity made a lot of sense. What she and I created with Kirkland’s Back to Campus Collection is a desk and vanity spot that suits her needs now yet has room to grow with her.
A simple desk, a funky chair, a small mirror and some stylish organizational accessories came together to create a spot in her room that puts the fun in functional.  I mean who wouldn’t love doing homework in a spot like this?!
Since space is a hot commodity in her bedroom I opted for a writing-style desk, but to give this spot the vibe of a vanity I brought in a funky upholstered chair that can push all the way under the desk when not in use. Using a chair like this rather than a typical desk chair adds personality and ups the style factor. It’s not only comfortable, but looks more inviting.
This White Smile Sequin Script Pillow is sweet and fun; it adds just the right amount of sparkle. It makes me think of that song from Annie, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” Seems perfect for a vanity space. 😉
Creating youthful spaces with room to grow is often more about playing with color and pattern and allowing your child’s personality to shine. Rather than bringing in a large mirror, I opted for a smaller size (that is large enough for her to do her hair and makeup someday) that allowed space to create a gallery wall for my girl to display her favorite photos. She really loves pictures and she was recently gifted a camera, so I know these photo collage frames will get lots of use.
(wood plank arrow collage frame \ distressed turquoise burlap 4-clip collage frame \ coral candlestick buffet lamp \ jamie blue wooden tabletop clock)
I love that this Wood Plank Arrow Collage Frame from Kirkland’s can hold a few different size photos. We have 4-by-4 inch photos displayed now, but 3-by-5’s or 4-by-6’s would work here as well.  The distressed wood is so pretty paired with the muted brass clips.
(jamie blue wooden tabletop clock)
The size of her bedroom wouldn’t allow for a deeper desk with drawers. We had to work with a narrow space for her desk/vanity area so the key was in working with the lateral space next to the desk and the vertical space above. I brought in a couple of simple yet stylish organizational pieces to store homework and art supplies as well as hair accessories and jewelry.
This Woven Metallic Gold Laundry Basket holds everything from art supplies to school notebooks and her camera. Traditionally, baskets like this are used as laundry hampers, but this basket is absolutely sturdy enough (and pretty enough) to hold folders and boxes of craft supplies. It gives my girl an easy-to-access spot to quickly clear off her desk.
As much as I love the metallic basket (which would also make for a great planter for an indoor tree – like a fiddle leaf fig – if I could actually get one to grow), I’d have to say my personal favorite organizational accessory in my girl’s new desk/vanity space is this Ivory Metal Basket Tower.
I just love the subtle polka dot pattern! Plus, it holds everything from books and homework supplies to hair accessories and jewelry boxes.
I feel like we really maximized this little spot to really make it functional yet stylish. I just love walking by her room and seeing her sitting here stringing beads or drawing or brushing her hair into a side pony tail. 😉  Someday in the not so distant future there may be lipstick and nail polish and …..well, I’m not ready for all that just yet. But I love that she has room to grow into that in this space!
*Thanks so much to Kirkland’s for partnering with me on this post! Their Back to Campus Collection is filled with lots of fun and stylish storage and organization accessories, perfect for getting your kids, tweens, teens and even your college-bound students ready to go back to school! All thoughts and opinions, as always, are 10o percent genuine. Thanks for supporting Our Fifth House sponsors!
What a great spot you two created.