Converting a Used Secretary into an Activity Center

This past year, we acquired our third used secretary, all of which I love.

I stored the first used secretary in my writer’s retreat in the mountains. The second one my husband used in place of a bookcase on his side of our bedroom. And the third one I set up on my side of our bedroom.

Furniture Shuffle

A month or so ago, we found a used matching bedroom dresser set, which we both really liked. This meant we had to move out some of our existing furniture.

I moved my little girl dresser & matching desk out to our barn for temporary storage. And my husband chose to move out the secretary he was using.

I didn’t want to put that piece in the barn. So, I decided to establish a new activity center with it.

Our New & Improved Activity Center

Up until the dressers acquisition, we were keeping stacks of games on a small end table in the corner in our dining room. And a small cabinet with drawers held playing cards, paper and colored markers. Much of this was largely ignored.

Bringing in & converting this used secretary into an activity center was much more practical. And it was much more appealing to look at.

I like that this piece of furniture keeps everything tucked away neatly while some of its contents are viewable through glass panes. And everything in it is easily accessible.

Plus, this gem of a unit provides a handy desktop (and/or tabletop) in addition to the desk & table we already have nearby.

Soon after placing the used secretary at its new address, I stocked it with all sorts of activity-related things. These included games, puzzles, activity-related books, and art & office supplies.

This morning, I took stock of all I put in there and made up a list for easy reference. I intend to pull this list out often — particularly whenever the kids are home and looking for something to do that doesn’t involve a screen.

I hope to regularly turn to this used secretary & its contents as an alternative to mindless entertainment.

I’m sure I will still lounge in the living room in front of our big screen TV at the end of a long day. But I’m thinking instead of staying glued to the screen in my home office when my computer work is done, I hope to spend more time accessing this other old-school office and enriching my life.

See what else I’m doing to go old school.