I LOVE my job! One day I’m working with a couple downsizing to a condo in the city, the next day I’m working with a family that has 6 kids! I talk a lot about how to design “grown up” spaces, but what about the “little guys”? Well, this one’s for you! Here are my 6 Steps to Designing the Perfect Playroom:
1. Start at the Bottom
A great playroom needs great flooring. Whether it’s a rug or flooring material, it must be durable. Vinyl tiles or indoor/outdoor carpet, think function first. You want something that’s easy to wipe off or bring outside and just hose off!
IKEA
2. Look at the Top
What’s the lighting in the space? Do you need overhead lighting? Task Lighting? Will the kids be watching TV or playing video games? If the lights will be off or dimmed for TV, then think about some floor lighting or “night lights” to help guide them out of the room. LED means no bulbs to replace. Think durable, plastic (not glass!!) lighting covers – you never know when an errant hockey puck may go flying!
Serena & Lily
3. Sit Comfortably
Kids love to “nest” and to “flop”. Maybe a traditional sofa can wait, and some beanbags or nest chairs may be better. Floor pillows and ottomons can even double as seating!
HGTV
Daily Architecture Design
4. Make it Carefree
Fabrics should be easy to clean – vinyls have come a long way, as have indoor/outdoor fabrics. Do yourself a favor and leave the linens upstairs!
IKEA
5. Stash it Away
Kids’ toys have lots of pieces. Whether it’s Barbie dolls, shoes, or Legos, you don’t want to step on them walking through the playroom. Build in multiple storage options in your playroom design- cubes, bins, baskets, whatever you think will be easiest for YOUR CHILD to put things away!
HGTV
PB Kids
6. Make it FUN
Color it bright, add some unique features like a climbing wall (add a mattress to the floor below!) or a slide, anything to keep them moving when the weather outside forces them to play indoors. Without some “real” games, they will make some of their own – that’s when the baseball goes crashing through the window!
Gabriel Builders via Decoist
PB Kids
I always love to see pictures of ways others have created perfect spaces. Have you recently added a playroom? Send us your pictures!
Have the space but don’t know how to begin? Send us your pictures and maybe we’ll feature you will with some Design Inspirations!