What would work for two girls in a play room

6 years ago

Hi,

I have two girls age 7 and 6 and I am trying to create a play room / room for them.

They are coming out of the baby toys stage and I want the room to grow with them so I need to forward think.

I have so many items I want in the play room but obviously I don’t want to over load so I am going to spread the ideas around the house But i want the room to be used productively.

I have so far on my list

Play table

Desks

Mini kitchen

Teepee

Reading sung

Crafts area

Storage and toys

Chairs

The list is endless so I thought about maybe just having desks in here but I do like the idea of having desks in their bedroom also which would not make sense.

So any tips on what works for two 7 year olds in a play room will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Featured Answer

minipie

6 years ago

Of course children are all different but if it were for my two girls I would have :

- no mini kitchen (mine are outgrowing theirs)

- a biggish table (& oilcloth) for drawing, writing, art, with plenty of storage for art materials nearby, and a hard wearing floor underneath.

- a big dressing up box and a smaller one for accessories

- lots of bookshelves and a cosy corner - teepee yes but cushions/beanbags too

- a cupboard or nook that can fit the teepee into it would be sensible, ours doesn't fit in any cupboard so just hangs around taking up space when not in use.

- lots of cube storage or cupboards for toys, puzzles, games, lego (as they outgrow toys this can become storage for sports kit or whatever they get into)

Ideally (for mine) the TV would be in a separate room so they aren't drawn to it, but some kind of music system (and even a disco light!) would be nice as they love to dance.

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Comments (19)

minnie101
6 years ago
How big is the room? If possible I would keep the desks away from the play room so it's a designated play room plus they won't be distracted by toys when doing homework! Can the tee pee not double up as the reading snug? Bookshelves behind, with cushions inside and a rug outside etc. Are they allowed a tv, games console etc? Are they still also at the age where they want you in the play room? I think it's quite hard for the room to grow in terms of play though tbh, it's probably just the furniture and storage which will stay with them (although I'd like a teepee at any age!!)
claire morgan
6 years ago
I think you have everything you need. I would probably add a built in TV system, so they can watch films and can store their toys etc. you don't say how big the room is but if you can fit it in how about a small sofa? In terms of how the design may look like something like this would look nice, as it easily changeable as the girls grow older.

I have seen a few videos on youtube where they use a lot of Ikea storage to make their children playroom, here is one for you to look at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op523Z4iAUg

but you can find plenty of others if you look.
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Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
My experience of children that age is that they love doing crafting/art activities so I would focus on that. Flooring such as cork would be good and I would provide a wide but shallow surface such as oak edged white formica for them to work on. Bean bags and teepees are lovely and can be moved around. They could have tripp trapp chairs that are adjustable.
fullrenov thanked Juliet Docherty
Najeebah
6 years ago
You don't plan a space in terms of randon objects, you plan in terms of zones for functions. And decide whether you want them
a) playing in the play room, storing things in the play room
b) playing everywhere, storing things everywhere
c) playing everywhere, storing things in the playroom
I suggest the last.

Then look at what they actually do. Not what google says kids can do, but what they do do, and devote space, attentionn and moey accordingly. If they read a lot, do craft stuff seldom, get a big bookshelf, not a craft supplies cabinet. You get the idea.

Decide, based on their relationship whether the flexibility of individual spaces is important. ie, two separate poofs and smaller bookshelves, a metre or so apart instead.

from your list, some of your objects overlap in purpose:
Play table - Desks - Chairs - Crafts area
Mini kitchen
Teepee - Reading sung
Storage and toys

I disagree with the suggestion of a tv in the space. It's a contentious topic, but my view is that a tv in a playroom will probably result in 90% tv, 10% other activity, and a great deal of tv is harmful, particularly to young children.

Make the main furniture and storage pieces something long lasting, that can be easily repurposed in later years for school work and such storage. Things can be painted, that's easy and inexpensive.
fullrenov thanked Najeebah
minipie
6 years ago
I agree that if you have a table for craft, desks can more usefully go in the bedrooms
fullrenov thanked minipie
fullrenov
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Hi all,

Thanks for all your comments they are all noted. I do agree that the girls are at the age where the amount of toys will start to reduce - especially the big items like kitchens etc. so a good point maybe I could put these into the bedrooms for now as we have more space in there.

A craft table is an absolute must I think - but two problems come to mind. Ive tried a toddler table in the room, the plus side is it will free up space for teepee etc but I felt this was to small for the children - I need something in between from a toddler table to a dining table which are a pain to source and the bigger the table the more space I loose etc. has anyone found a suitable alternative ?

Also zoning - completely new to this - any tips ? Given the area is such a compact area with of course a list of requirements as long as my arm !!!! . My measurements for the room are 2.2m wide by 4m (pic below).

Music I didn’t think of so that’s on my list now - thank you.

sorry for the amount of questions I thought the playroom would be the easiest room to do but has become the most challenging !!!!!
katieme2015a34
6 years ago
i would put a tv with beanbags on floor. would probably not bother with toy kitchen as they will outgrow it really soon and i would personally use that space for a reading nock corner. think craft table is a great idea check out some cabinets from ikea for storage they are brillant perhaps some frames with a slot on twhere they can easily change
katieme2015a34
6 years ago
and display their work of art.
Najeebah
6 years ago
A toddler table is a bad idea. They 'grow' with kids until about the age yours are. Time flies, your 6 & 7 year olds will not be using that for anything in the near future.

What will the room most likely be in another 5-7 years, after the toy stage? A study & homework space, lounge for them, or do you plan on moving by then?

You could look for a smallish dining table, something like 900mm x 1500mm or so. This should allow enough space for them each on opposite ends, and a good amount of space in the room around it. This would probably be best along the length of the room, up against the wall, with seating on the ends, and length if needed.

Alternatively, you can get a square/ish table if you prefer. It would probably work equally well. Some shelving above this table will look good and use space well. You can get a machine washable rug beneath the table as well.
Don't think of it as losing space, with the right size, layout, etc, you're using the space, not losing it. Also, avoid tables facing the occupant to the wall.

The wall next to the door is an excellent spot for a storage unit, with again, space for shelves above, or a display of toys, a makeup area if they're into that, whatever.

The zoning stuff.. that deals with grouping your similar activities together into the same space. It keeps things organised, gives design easy flow.
So for instance, when you get ready, you have a single space for your needs of styling your hair, doing your makeup, and chosing your accessories. When you cook, you have a single space where the preparaton happens, you may cook there today, and bake there tomorrow, but that stretch of counter is a prep area. On a larger scale, your bedrooms are clustered together, as that's the private zones, the lounge and dining are near by, as that's the living and entertaining zone, the laundry & utility needs are also near each other, creating another zone of similar functions.

The same with your kids' space. The table will serve any functions that need a table. Building puzzles, doing art, doing homework in a few years, the like. Zones are defined by physical objects. Eg a table on a rug clearly defines that and distinguishes it from the rest. Like the hallway to bedrooms for instance

You can add in another area rug, warms up the space, creates another zone, Here, you can add some poufs, pillows, matrasses if you like. Get a lot of storage units along the walls here for all the toys, and some shelving for books. And in a corner, have the teepee. Now this zone is a comfortable space. It's good for playing with toys on the floor, napping, reading/being read to, watching tv, pretty much whatever. If you do get the kitchen (how big is that, I have no clue hmm) it can also go in this space.

So effectively, you have the need for: storage, a table play area, an 'other' play and reading area. And so storage can go along the walls, the table area can fulfil the need of table activities, and the remaining space is one large multipurpose play area.

You have a decent, though not large space. Having a few well defined areas makes it seem efficient and organised, as opposed to too many defined spaces, which breaks up the room too much, complicating it for use and making it seem smaller, or no spaces at all, which just looks disorganised at all times.
claire morgan
6 years ago
If you need a seating area for your kids to do craft stuff, how about a folded dining table like this, this way you can put it in the corner where your kids are not using it.
Najeebah
6 years ago
Ok, a square, or squarish table will give you better space usage, I've got a mock up with your dimensions. Here's the basic plan. Storage for craft things and board games, etc (table things) next to the entrance door. Storage for books and such near the external door. Above that is the tv. Storage in the remainder of the unit for toys. You can have shelving above the seating areas.
Najeebah
6 years ago
Here's the 3d mock ups
fullrenov
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Najeebah,

Many thanks for taking the time out to do this - I think I’m on the right track now and now got something to go off.

When I look at your image I can now see that it is acheievable and really quiet simple in regards to zoning the area, sometimes it’s just hard to envisage (especially as the room is just full of clutter).

il get started and of course keep you updated on how I get on.

Thanks again now I have some serious furniture hunting to do !!!

Thanks again.
Najeebah
6 years ago
My pleasure :) I'm glad it helps. You're right, it is quite straightforward eventually, though at first a conundrum. Yes, do keep us updated, we love following along. And if you want feedback on furniture choices you can send them along.

Some more tips:
Choose pieces that will be useful even when the space is no longer a playroom.
Choose fewer, larger storage units, rather than more small ones.
Keep it simple. Very important. Simple lines and structure of furniture, simple layout, simple everything. You know how a showroom kitchen never looks cluttered, but if anyone lived there, there'd be a dozen appliances, house keys, kids stray items, the cat's bowls, etc. If you design a busy space, it will be all the worse when lived in. If you design a comlpicated layout, it will be worse too. Simple is good, particularly in smallish spaces.
Chose fabrics that are easy to clean. Either machine washable or easily wipe-able, not things where crumbs get worked in to the fabric.
Chose the main pieces you want to design around, the focal points of the room, eg bold poufs or chairs in the corner, or a bold unit, etc, don't overdo the striking peices, particularly in a small space.
Dedicate a space to displaying their art work, and some files to storing them when the new ones come up.
Include useful things that you would in other spaces, a box of tissues, waste bin, etc.
Wall lighting or lamps is a good addition to warm up the space without too much overhead lighting.
Avoid toy overload. Some parents buy a limited number, others rotate toys in use and in storage for a few weeks/months, whatever suits you.
Involve the kids in designing the space. The descisions stay yours, of course, but you can give them some choices, and enjoy the process together
Paint is your best friend in a play room for this age. Focal walls, wall paper, etc. makes a huge impact, relatively inexpensive, easily changeable once nemo gives way to frozen...
If you want to consider other novel ideas that don't need a lot of space, chalk paint on a part of one wall, or a wall climbing area. You can also include one of those height/growth chart template things.
bookworm987
6 years ago
Great ideas on here. Not much to add, just that since your girls love art, I would recommend picture frame wallpaper, it's white with black frames in different sizes and the kids can draw on it! I got it online from littlewoods and used it on just one wall. So sweet to see their little drawings that change in style as they get older, plus their friends will leave their own mark too. But hide the markers if you have any toddlers visiting!

On the tv in the playroom debate - I think it's fine as long as there are ground rules. My kids 9&11 have tv and games console in there but strictly for weekends and we set a timer. When timer dings, it goes off and they have to do something else. Works perfectly!
wendy Anderson
6 years ago
When I created a playroom for my then 8 yr old daughter last year I bought a second hand drop leaf table for crafts etc. Best buy ever - she uses it almost every day and it can take up as little as 25cm when space is needed to play
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The Lighting Company
6 years ago
Don't forget the lights! Let us help
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Wallsauce
6 years ago
Hi,

You've had some fabulous comments! I've noticed a lot of the feedback is around making sure the girls don't grow out of the space.

Based on this, here are some wall murals that might help jazz up the space:

Find the mural here.

Find the mural here.

Find the mural here.

Find the mural here.

I hope this helps! All the best with your makeover :)
Nicole @ Wallsauce.com