How to Build a Paintbrush Pot
Construct a sturdy desktop paintbrush holder using interlocking building bricks, featuring reinforced perimeter walls, divided slots, and smooth tile caps.
This guide shows how to build a paintbrush pot in 15-25 minutes. Start with establish the foundation base; follow the safety notes and step checkpoints below.
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- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap See 20-second demo if you want to understand it first.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free help, or Voice-only if you do not want to use the camera.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Brick separator tool
- ✓ Shallow sorting tray
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ 16x16 stud building plate
- ✓ Standard 2x4 and 2x2 building bricks (approx. 80-100 pieces)
- ✓ Standard 1x4 and 1x2 building bricks (approx. 30 pieces)
- ✓ Flat finishing tiles (1x4 and 2x2 smooth tiles, approx. 20 pieces)
- ✓ Colored decorative accent bricks
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Keep loose small pieces away from toddlers and pets to prevent choking hazards.
- • Use a brick separator tool rather than teeth or fingernails to pry apart tight pieces.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (5 Steps)
Establish the Foundation Base
Place the 16x16 stud baseplate flat on the work surface. Outline an 8x8 or 10x10 stud square footprint in the center using a single layer of 2x4 and 2x2 bricks, pressing each piece down until fully seated.
- • A continuous square perimeter of bricks firmly seated on the center of the baseplate.
- • Zero vertical gaps between the brick undersides and baseplate studs.
- • Placing the footprint right on the edge, making the pot prone to tipping over.
Build Interlocking Wall Layers
Stack consecutive layers of bricks around the perimeter using a staggered masonry pattern. Ensure every vertical joint on the current layer sits over the solid middle section of the brick below it.
- • Alternating brick seams resembling a classic running-bond brick wall.
- • Walls standing 4 to 5 brick layers tall with completely flush exterior faces.
- • Stacking bricks directly on top of each other with aligned vertical seams, creating weak shear lines.
Install Internal Divider Wall
Insert a 1-stud or 2-stud thick vertical partition across the center of the interior cavity. Tie the ends of the divider directly into the outer wall courses so it locks the entire structure together.
- • A centered internal wall bisecting the pot into two distinct compartments.
- • Divider bricks integrated into the outer wall perimeter rather than floating loosely inside.
- • Building a loose insert wall that rattles and lifts out when brushes are pulled.
Reach Target Height with Accent Colors
Continue building the outer walls and divider upward until the container reaches 10 to 12 brick courses in height (roughly 4 inches). Add contrasting colored or textured bricks on the upper courses for visual accent.
- • Container walls standing approximately 10 to 12 brick courses high.
- • A level top rim across all four exterior walls and the center divider.
- • Stopping under 8 courses high, which causes longer brushes to spill over the top edge.
Cap Top Rim with Smooth Tiles
Place flat, studless finishing tiles over the entire exposed top rim and divider wall. Press them firmly into place until the entire top surface is completely smooth to the touch.
- • All exposed top studs covered by smooth, flat tiles.
- • A continuous, snag-free rim around the top perimeter and divider.
- • Leaving open studs on top where brush handles and ferrules can catch and scratch.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by LEGO — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Brick separator tool? Flat, blunt plastic butter knife wrapped in painter's tape
- No Flat finishing tiles? Standard flat 1x2/2x2 plates left with exposed studs