The Dos and Don’ts of Perfect Playrooms
Kids have stuff (lots of stuff…) so a dedicated space is a real bonus. Follow our tips for creating a room that looks good and plays hard
If you have the space in your home, a dedicated playroom is a treat for your children and an asset for you – no need for their toys to spill over into adult space. This is a place where kids can be kids, free to be creative, imaginative and, yes, messy. That said, a playroom doesn’t have to be a pit. This space should work hard, function well and look good, too. It should be creative, not chaotic; child-friendly, but welcoming to any passing adult. So how do you do it? Begin by checking out these playroom dos and don’ts…
Don’t dismiss second-hand pieces
Buying pre-loved items is more than just a budget option, as this playroom demonstrates. The carpet squares were leftovers from a school project, and create a fun, patchwork effect. Furniture picked up at auction adds bags of vintage character and, if already scuffed, can take a little more rough treatment.
Buying pre-loved items is more than just a budget option, as this playroom demonstrates. The carpet squares were leftovers from a school project, and create a fun, patchwork effect. Furniture picked up at auction adds bags of vintage character and, if already scuffed, can take a little more rough treatment.
Don’t make tech an afterthought
Consider the technology you’ll be fitting in the room at the planning stage or you’ll end up with messy cables running everywhere. This looks ugly and is a dangerous trip hazard, too. Try wall-mounting a TV to free up space, or conceal it inside a cupboard.
Explore 9 ways to conceal your gadgets
Consider the technology you’ll be fitting in the room at the planning stage or you’ll end up with messy cables running everywhere. This looks ugly and is a dangerous trip hazard, too. Try wall-mounting a TV to free up space, or conceal it inside a cupboard.
Explore 9 ways to conceal your gadgets
Don’t be afraid to use white
Pale paint and mucky kids’ fingers sound like a bad combination, but white is easy to touch up, makes any room feel brighter and bigger, and forms a cool, neutral backdrop for brightly coloured toys and kit, helping to unify the space.
Pale paint and mucky kids’ fingers sound like a bad combination, but white is easy to touch up, makes any room feel brighter and bigger, and forms a cool, neutral backdrop for brightly coloured toys and kit, helping to unify the space.
Do display their creations
This is the room where the creativity happens, so make sure there’s a place to show it all off, too. A simple wire strung along one wall is a great place to peg up wet paintings and display favourite artworks.
This is the room where the creativity happens, so make sure there’s a place to show it all off, too. A simple wire strung along one wall is a great place to peg up wet paintings and display favourite artworks.
Do choose practical flooring
Hard surfaces like wood or vinyl withstand spills and can be cleaned easily. They also provide a level base on which to build towers or train tracks. Here, combining chequerboard and cork-effect vinyl adds extra detail. You can always throw down rugs or beanbags to soften the space.
Hard surfaces like wood or vinyl withstand spills and can be cleaned easily. They also provide a level base on which to build towers or train tracks. Here, combining chequerboard and cork-effect vinyl adds extra detail. You can always throw down rugs or beanbags to soften the space.
Do play with scale
Since much of the furniture and storage for young children will be small-scale and low-level, add some large-scale pieces, like this poster-size puppy photograph. It will prevent the room looking Lilliputian.
Since much of the furniture and storage for young children will be small-scale and low-level, add some large-scale pieces, like this poster-size puppy photograph. It will prevent the room looking Lilliputian.
Do opt for bold schemes
The playroom should still feel like part of your home, but you can add in brighter shades that will delight kids. Colourful rugs, cushions or curtains are an easy, quick and versatile way to up the fun factor.
Get more ideas from these colourful kids’ playrooms.
The playroom should still feel like part of your home, but you can add in brighter shades that will delight kids. Colourful rugs, cushions or curtains are an easy, quick and versatile way to up the fun factor.
Get more ideas from these colourful kids’ playrooms.
Don’t invest in age-sensitive themes
This is a fantastic castle-style playroom that would thrill most young children, but what happens when they hit their teens? Children move through passions and hobbies quickly, so play it safe and pick décor that won’t date.
This is a fantastic castle-style playroom that would thrill most young children, but what happens when they hit their teens? Children move through passions and hobbies quickly, so play it safe and pick décor that won’t date.
Don’t underestimate storage needs
At every age and stage, children come with baggage, so make sure you have plenty of places to stash their things. Be sure to mix it up, too, teaming cupboards with baskets, boxes and open shelving.
Browse storage solutions for children’s rooms
Do you have a playroom in your home? Share yours with us in the Comments.
At every age and stage, children come with baggage, so make sure you have plenty of places to stash their things. Be sure to mix it up, too, teaming cupboards with baskets, boxes and open shelving.
Browse storage solutions for children’s rooms
Do you have a playroom in your home? Share yours with us in the Comments.
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Children love writing on walls, so instead of hanging expensive wallpaper, try covering one wall of the playroom with blackboard paint. It will hopefully encourage their creativity and keep wall scribbling to one area!
You can see all the playrooms on Houzz, here.