3 Pro Design Tips to Create a Playroom Your Kids Will Thank You For
As our children grow I am always modifying our playroom to enhance their developmental growth. In fact, I would have to say that it is one of the most lived-in rooms in our home. When it comes to the playroom, my mantra is always, “how can my kids play in here without my help or a screen”. Sounds funny to say but if you are reading this then you are probably a mom yourself and you know that this mantra is crucial to your sanity and your child’s independence. Whether you set up the playroom as a pop-up play space, a homework dedicated area, or a place to play and use their imagination, carefully considering the design aspect is key.
So what changes can you make to the playroom to spark your child’s imagination? Here are my 3 pro tips.
Tip 1: Consider the Color
Changing the color of the walls can dramatically affect the feel of the room and how much your kids enjoy it. You might think bright colors and patterns are the best for a playroom, but it’s a good idea to go with calming, soothing colors.
Children can be sensitive to color so choosing one that isn’t overly stimulating is essential. Natural colors and cool shades are best because they create a sense of calm, which will help make them feel comfortable and ready to put their minds to work and set their imaginations free.
We recently learned from our son's occupational therapist that he was sensitive to color and I noticed a difference when I painted his room in a combination of SW Spatial White and SW Sea Salt.
Tip 2: Create Stations
If you have elementary-age kids, design your playroom by mimicking a kindergarten classroom. The goal is to break the room up into different areas or “stations” that allow children to learn, create, and explore on their own. Mimicking that style for your child’s playroom is a perfect way to foster a balanced space where they can explore. You can even define each station with its own floor mat. I love Toddlekind floor mats. They are super cute, easy to clean, and eco-friendly.
Here are some stations that have worked for me and my clients over the years.
Art station Definitely choose a vinyl floor mat for this area to avoid big messes and it will make for an easier clean-up. I have found that an art table for cutting, coloring, and painting is more useful than an easel. Ours came with rolls of craft paper and storage bins where you can store and organize all their arts and crafts in one place.
Reading station Make this as cozy as possible with their favorite stuffies and blankets, a bean bag, and light. Hang a tent from the ceiling, add a bookshelf full of age-appropriate books that they can easily access, and watch them curl up and fall in love with their reading nook.
Motor skills fine-tuning station Create an area that will help your child fine-tune their motor skills. Trust me when I say, there’s nothing better for that than Legos. Create a dedicated station with a Lego table and organize them by color using color-coded bins. Hayneedle is also a great resource for storage solutions.
Imaginary play station
Create an area that simply gets their creative juices flowing. I love when I see my kids lost in a magical world that they have created and imagined on their own. Here are a couple of ideas to encourage imaginative play:
A play kitchen with food, pots, and pans, a dollhouse with little figurines, or small collected furniture.
An area to play dress-up. This could even be its own station! Be sure to collect as many costumes as you can. Look for post-Halloween costumes sales for hidden gems. Hats, wands, swords, plastic high heels, your old costume jewelry, and wigs can go a long way! We store it all in my old sleepaway camp trunk. Provide the props and see what they come up with!
Tip 3: Get organized
Stay organized and watch the magic come to life! Clutter stifles creativity and staying organized is my first priority.
I think it is so important to teach
your child how to clean up the playroom with you so they’ll be able to eventually clean up on their own. However, I’ll admit that even after we have cleaned up together, I always go back through and dispose of the clutter and revamp the stations. What do you want me to say, I’m a mom! I’m sure many of you can relate.
On top of that, staying organized allows you to pack a lot in, even in the smallest rooms. Having bins like the ones listed above are a good foundation for this.
How to make design easier
Designing a playroom your kids will be excited about doesn’t have to be an impossible feat. There are some things you can do to make the process easier.
Collaborate with your kids
Involve your kids in the design process. While it’s important to have fundamental stations centered around art, reading, and exploration, be sure to build the room around your kiddo’s interests.
If your child loves to paint, make their art area focused on painting. Or maybe they’d rather write or play musical instruments. Take all of their natural interests and talents into consideration. This also applies to decorations they might like.
Work with a professional
Creating the perfect playroom for your kids is easier than you think. It’s all about having fun and fostering their imagination. If you’re ready to design a playroom that your kids will thank you for, let’s talk!
Whether you need help planning the room's layout or you want to find the best items to furnish with, I can provide guidance.
Start designing your kids' playroom today
As an experienced designer and mom, I know the importance of having a carefully curated playroom, and I’m here to help you!
Email me at elizabeth@elizabethblakedesigns.com to get started!
Best,
Elizabeth