Playroom Designs

Playroom designs should be fun and creative. This is the one area in your home that you need to use lots of color and variety to help stimulate your child’s imagination.

These are your two biggest areas and the best place to start with your new playroom design.

Walls can easily be painted or covered with wallpaper. Your child is going to grow and his or her likes and dislikes will also change. Those bright pink walls might be very appealing to a six year old but a ten year old may feel the color isn’t grown-up enough.

Murals are a nice element. You can paint one or opt for a pre-pasted mural. You can also use stencils to add interest and color. Be sure to let your child paint with you. Whatever you do to the walls make it easy to change either by simply painting over it or wallpapering. You want the room to reflect your maturing child’s likes and needs.

Your floor space isn't broken up like wall space and is the largest area of your room. It will receive the most abuse so you want to select something that's durable and will last the lifetime of the playroom, if possible. Hardwood, tile or vinyl floors are the best choices for easy clean up. You can add an area rug for comfort and warmth.

Other choices for different areas:

Activity Mats

• These come in all shapes, sizes and material. The best is a vinyl coated that can be washed once the activity is finished.

Foam Tiles

• Link several together to form a cushiony rug for sitting and playing. Great for kids’ gym areas.

The first thing you need to do is decide what activities you want to accommodate in the playroom layout. Make a list of the activities your child enjoys and any new activities you want to introduce into your child's playtime.

To help you get started here’s a basic list of typical playroom activities:

• Crafts
• Reading
• Play
• Exercise

The size of your room will determine how many separate work areas you can place in the playroom. If you have a relatively small room then three will probably be the maximum amount of separate work areas. You can combine other activities within a single work area.

Make a list of the types of crafts your child enjoys. This list will help you determine the best way to store the materials used the most.

Using your list of activities and the kind of materials you’ll need to store, you can now decide on what furniture to buy for your playroom.

Activity Table

• You can find all kinds of styles and choices for your child’s activity work table.

Bookshelves and Bookcases

• You can buy components that change as your child grows. Brightly colored baskets can serve as toy and supply bins. Your child can carry these bins over to the work area and return after clean-up.

Storage Furniture

• Storage units come in varying widths and styles. You can select storage chests or larger units that have shelving and bins.

Lighting

• You may opt for overhead lighting instead of lamps, especially if your children are small. Recessed ceiling lights and even overhead lights suspended over the table will give enough light for most activities.

Window Treatment

• Keep it simple when it comes to window treatment in a playroom. Since most of the activities will be during the day, make sure whatever you choose can be opened to let in as much natural light as possible.
  • Blinds
  • Wood Shutters
  • Shades
  • Curtains

Chairs

• You may need more than one kind of chair in the playroom.
  • Beanbags
  • Stools
  • Benches
  • Side Chairs
  • Rockers

Children’s Gym

• Include an area for your child to climb and tumble to help work off some of that energy built up from the artwork project.

Other Elements:

• Chalkboard – Purchase small one or use chalk paint and create your own
• Mini-stage for plays or puppet shows
• Play kitchen
• Reading area
• Snack area
• Art Easel

You can spend as much or as little for playroom furniture. You can invest in substantial quality furniture that can grow with your child like a three in one table that adjusts to three different heights.

Below are some playroom furniture suppliers:

• Land of Nod
• School Outfitters
• Art Station from Wish Rooms
• More tables and chairs
• Playroom Essentials from Land of Nod
• Wide Variety Furniture
• Bellacor Playroom
• Ready Set Home
• Playroom Furniture
• E Room Service
• Kaplanco

There are several things you’ll want to consider as you create your child’s playroom.

• Safety – Select furnishings and materials that are flame retardant and non-toxic
• Function – Make sure your furnishings can be used comfortably by your child
• Room to Grow – Make allowances for your child’s growth in your playroom design

Don’t get so wrapped up in the project that you forget to include your child in the process. Let your child help make some of the choices so there will be a feeling of ownership and contentment. Once the room is put together your child will have pride that he or she helped create it.

You can teach your child about green living by using the playroom for a green project.

• Choose products made from recycled materials
• Buy organic fabrics
• Make sure your child’s art supplies are green friendly
• Set-up recycling station in playroom

Playroom designs should be fun to create and fun for your child to use.

• Country Style Decorating Ideas
• Bathroom Design Pictures
• Interior Paint Color Combinations

• Country French Style Basics
• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design

• Wall Decoration for Playrooms
• Cheap Wallpaper Borders
• Handpainted Drawer Pulls
• Category:How Tos, Projects and Rooms
• Playroom Ideas