Styling

7 Playroom Design Tips

1. COLOURS AND PATTERNS:

Choose colours and patterns with the growth and development of your child in mind. When selecting your wallpaper or main patterns for decals, make sure it’s a kid friendly pattern but not too babyish that it will date or outgrow your child. Geometric line patterns are a great way to incorporate a minimal feel for the eye and will compliment colourful artwork and fun multi-coloured toys that will bring the room to life. It also creates a calmer, quieter feel to the room when there is a lot of toys and mess on the floor. It’s also much easier when your child has moved to the next stage of learning and play to change the room’s layout and update the toys and décor rather than changing the full room design.

2. FURNITURE:

When purchasing furniture, think long term. I always select furniture for a playroom that is a little more adult like with a classic timeless feel and has the ability to move forward into an older child’s space later on. You do not need a lot of furniture in a playroom other than storage and shelving but these items will be used on a daily basis, so invest in good quality items that will last and grow with your child,

3. WE LOVE READING:

Creating an amazing cozy reading nook to encourage kids to read, is one of the most important aspects of a playroom. I love the idea of the different shelf levels in the tree trunk, so that the youngest child who is 18 months, can keep his books on the lower shelf and allow the older kids to keep their books higher up out of reach of  their younger siblings. This can be recreated with any wall shelf system and allows for a special spot for each to put their own items, which children love. By creating a whimsical place where the kids can sit with their favourite cushions and toys, we were able to bring the feeling of a magical story book to life.

 

4. STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE:

Any kid’s space, no matter their age or sex must have heaps of different storage options. Larger storage or toy boxes like the Ikea Stova’s, are the best way to hide all the messy, small pieces and visually horrendous toys our kids like to ‘keep’. Open storage, like the floor baskets and lower shelving are great for everyday items that can easily be packed away for everyday use. Higher shelving is perfect to display all the stylish and keepsake items that we don’t want to be in reach of any little fingers and all the toys that work beautifully in the room and allow for a little visual styling that complements the room… (or for the adults that need a stylish visual focus when in the playroom, amongst the clutter and mess).

5. PLAY ZONES:

Creating different zones for different activities allows the playroom to cater for kids of all ages. Having a lower builders work bench for a toddler and a swing for the eldest creates an inviting space for all. There is a soft cushion area for the little ones to rest and a section of wall hooks for the dresses and handbags for the little lady. The playmate, tool bench and fire bell in the ‘Boy’s Zone’ keep the younger 2 boys busy while the oldest can read or write in the reading nook or relax in her beanbag.

6. GET THE KIDS INVOLVED:

Allow the kids to be involved with the design of the room. Ask them what ideas they may have for the space and what main items they would like to include. Also think back to when you were a child and what worked in your play space and what didn’t work. What items and activities did you love? (My swing!). If your kids already had a playroom before and you’re installing a new one, think about what worked in the old space and what didn’t work. Incorporate your childhood experience with the ideas your children have and mix it with the lessons you learned from the play areas your kids had in the past.

7. DON’T FORGET THE FUN:

Sometimes when adults create a kids space, they forget the most important thing: that it’s a PLAY space for a kid. Once you have your adult friendly wallpaper, classic furniture and some high shelving for your little styled areas, use your imagination to mix and match the decor elements of the room to create a fun, lively space. Use toys as decor to brighten and style the room.  Add some fun interactive wall panels that the kids can play with but also contributes to creating some texture and a feature in the room. Use lots and lots of cushions, mats and rugs so the kids have endless places to sit, lay and rest… (purely for your benefit as they may have an extra nap if they are super-comfy). Add artwork that is inspiring or educational for your kids, including their own framed artwork. Use lights, colours and features that your kids love so they will never forget the experiences and fun they had in their playroom.

By Natalie B xx