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33 Playroom Ideas for an Organized Play Space
A playroom allows your children to engage in independent and creative play. No matter the size of your home, designing a playroom just for them can be just the thing to keep them entertained.
There are many things to consider when designing a playroom, from sophisticated touches to organization options, while still maintaining the fun elements that your little ones love. Get inspired with this list of 33 playroom ideas for your kids that maximize space, storage and style.
Toddler Playroom Ideas
Set up a unique room for your toddler where they can express their imagination and creativity. Here are our favorite toddler playroom ideas that focus on safety, organization and fun.
1. Turn Their Bedroom into the Playroom
Having the playroom incorporated into your toddler’s bedroom is a great way to establish a centralized play area and help keep the toys organized. Since everything is consolidated into one room, you can keep toys and other items from cluttering up multiple areas of the house.
2. Roll Out a Rug
Rugs are the perfect way to elevate your playroom. They're soft and comfortable to play on and can be easy to clean. Plus, they help define the space and designate different areas of the room. Consider a rug design with an aerial view of a park to encourage children to play with toy people, animals and vehicles and engage their imagination. Or, choose a rug that can be reversed to a racetrack or other designed space when it’s time to play.
3. Use Bright, Vibrant Colors
Have some fun with color! If their space could use a pop of personality, incorporating vibrant and bold elements can instantly brighten up the room and provide a cheery and welcoming environment.
4. Incorporate Storage Baskets & Bins
Storage baskets and bins can be both useful and fun and are essential when it comes to playroom organizing ideas. Storage options are key for a playroom when it comes to making clean-up time a breeze and reducing clutter.
5. Embrace Chalkboards
Do your kids love doodling on the walls? It’s safe and fun with a DIY chalkboard wall —a fun way to decorate the walls without permanently damaging the paint. Install chalkboard wallpaper and let your toddler color to their heart’s content, mess-free. Or consider simply adding a chalkboard easel for a more portable option.
6. Use Child-Size Furniture
Consider using child-size furniture in your toddler's playroom. Instead of taking up the space with bigger adult furniture, furnish the room with play chairs and a table designed specifically for kids. You can also make it extra cozy with some beanbag chairs and floor cushions or an Anywhere chair. Incorporating furniture tailored to a toddler’s smaller size can provide a more comfortable space for them to feel welcome and enjoy doing their favorite activities.
7. Create a Mini Library
Kids learn through play, and dedicating a space for their hands-on lessons can help them grow. Make their area a place where they’re able to do creative activities that will help them develop life-long skills. They’ll love their very own learning nook complete with a small table and their favorite books, educational activities and crafts.
8. Create a Soft Spot
Whether they’re an active tumbler or just love having a spot to settle in with a picture book, a soft floor pillow is the perfect all-in-one playroom accessory. You can never have too many soft surfaces to avoid bumps and bruises.
9. Put the Play Area in the Kitchen
The kitchen is where the family comes together for meals and conversation. Place a kids’ play area near the kitchen so you can watch your children while you cook. You can even encourage their desire to help you in the kitchen by setting up their own kitchen set. Their age-appropriate area may help keep them busy in their own safe space while allowing them to feel that they are also helping out.
10. Stock Their Kitchen
Having their own kitchen stocked with items they love makes play exciting. Faux fruit and veggies, loaves of bread and meats and cheeses in their own storage baskets ensure their play kitchen is always ready for their next inspired culinary creation.
11. Don’t Forget Kitchen Essentials
Every chef-in-training needs the perfect tools. Mini pots and pans, fake knives and wooden spoons allow them the inspiration they need to craft fun dishes in their playroom.
12. Use Play Mats
Play mats are great to put in a playroom, as they're easy to clean, compact and comfortable. If your child needs an impromptu nap or a comfy place to play, the space is ready to go. Clean-up is as easy as a wipe-down with disinfecting spray before returning to the mat storage bins.
13. Bring in the Outdoors
The outdoors invites open-ended play and an appreciation for nature. You can incorporate outdoor elements to add wonder and magic to the playroom, including glow-in-the-dark star stickers and a special light-up moon to illuminate the room.
14. Invest in Cubicles
Cubicles or other wall storage systems can make organizing easier. They’re sturdy and can fit a wide variety of toys. Plus, they look great and can be repurposed for other storage needs if you have design changes. Choose an expertly designed system with sturdy construction to ensure it lasts through years of play.
15. Get Them Involved
Since the playroom is for your toddler, it can be helpful to include them in the design process. By getting your child involved, they can begin to build a connection to the room. Plus, it’s a fun activity you can do together and bond over.
16. Bring in a Stuffed Animal
Every playroom needs at least one stuffed animal friend. You don’t have to stick with a classic stuffed bear: you can choose anything, from a huggable whale to a flying dragon. No matter what you choose, a stuffed animal is a friend they’ll love and play with for years to come.
17. Set Up a Tool Bench
Do you have a little carpenter-in-training in your family? Set them up with a full toy workbench so they can practice their carpentry skills from the comfort of their own playroom!
18. Get All the Necessary Tools
To complete their tool bench, they need the right equipment. Play saws, hammers and screwdrivers will spark their creativity and let them have fun working with their hands.
Kids Playroom Ideas
As your kids get older, they’re going to begin to grow out of some things. Design a playroom that will grow with them! Use these next 13 playroom ideas to help you be organized and to provide a lot more fun for your growing kid.
19. Place It in Your Office Space
Want to be more space-conscious and also keep an eye on your little one? Try making a dedicated play space in your office. Set up a small desk and fill it with “office supplies” like papers and crayons. Add a lazy susan for easier organization. Complete the room with a play phone so they can have fun making pretend business calls.
20. Invest in Cabinets
If you're looking for additional storage options, think about investing in a cabinet set. Cabinets give every game and toy a dedicated space to stay when playtime is over. This helps keep the room organized and provides an opportunity for your little one to learn how to clean up on their own.
21. Utilize the Space Under Stairs
The space beneath stairs can be an excellent area for storage and allows you to make use of every inch of space in your home. Put up some wall decals, add a rug and you have the perfect play spot they can call their own.
22. Dedicate a Corner to Quiet Play
When it’s time to play quietly or wind down for nap time, set up a cozy corner with pillows and a nap mat for your little one. Add a quiet book or a plush animal for cuddle time.
23. Create a Mini Art Studio
Coloring is an essential activity for kids—it helps develop strength, lets them practice hand-eye coordination and invites them to be creative. You can encourage their inner Picasso in several ways, from displaying artwork in the playroom to getting them an art easel just their size.
24. Set Up a Tea Party
A tea party can be set up almost anywhere, from a rug to your kitchen table. It’s the perfect activity for anyone with a limited amount of space. Get a lovely tea set and throw your child a sophisticated soiree complete with crumpets and mini sandwiches.
25. Make It a Game Room
Turn the playroom into a game room, complete with comfy bean bags or an anywhere chair, a tv and a coffee table. This setup makes it easy for your kid’s friends to come over and have a good time. Set up an area with some board games and it becomes an entertainment room for your entire family, too.
26. Set Up a Dollhouse
A dollhouse is a classic part of childhood play. Assemble one on the edge of a play rug or tucked in the corner to offer your kids imaginative playtime.
27. Stock Up on Dollhouse Furniture
To support imaginative play, be sure your child’s playroom is stocked with plenty of dollhouse toys, furniture and accessories. Get a few different collections so they can have fun mixing and matching.
28. Brighten It Up With Colorful Chairs
Colorful chairs can brighten any playroom. A vibrant splash of color is fun and can go with almost any kid’s playroom decor. Pair your colorful chairs with a more traditional white table so that the colors really pop.
29. Add a Reading Nook
Encourage your child to read by setting up a comfy reading nook in their playroom. It can be as simple as adding some low bookshelves and a comfy chair that they can curl up in. Dress up the space with a few art pieces for added personality.
30. Make Room for Tumbling
If your children are getting into gymnastics, encourage their tumbling with an indoor gymnasium. Moveable pieces, including mats and padded ramps, allow your kids to create any formation their hearts desire.
31. Stick to Organizing Basics
Your kids’ playroom is a place for fun and games, but that doesn’t mean it needs to fall into disarray. Keep organization simple with cubbies, bins and baskets to ensure there’s always a place for everything.
32. Personalize Their Space
Personalize their playroom with name plates or plaques. Whether you have one child or three, everyone can have their name represented on the wall.
33. Keep Track of Important Milestones
Our final playroom idea will give you a way to keep track of your child’s growth throughout the years. From toddlerhood to elementary school and beyond, every fun summer of play can be documented on a wall-mounted growth chart.
Make your child’s playroom a safe place that encourages them to play and express themselves. Be creative and have some fun with it: it’s a playroom, after all!