Playroom Ideas

Cheerful paint colors are great options for any space where you want your child to have fun and let their imagination run wild. Opt for a subdued base for most of your walls and a bright accent color for a focal wall. Here are some color palette options:

• Butter yellow draws in the sunlight and warms the room. Use honeycomb, sunshine or sunflower yellow on your accent wall to finish the space.
• Light cornflower or ice blue are cool-toned colors that still welcome bright light. Finish your accent wall with electric blue, medium baby blue or periwinkle.
• Use clear or colored chalkboard paint and paint a box, sphere, triangle or any shape. Your little one can explore their artistic side or practice writing using chalk.
• If your little one loves pink or purple, try Himalayan salt pink with a rose pink accent or pale lavender with a bold lilac accent wall.

Using a lighter base means you won’t have to put as many coats of paint up on the walls when it’s time to update the playroom to a home office or homework space down the road.

If you’re not ready for a bright color on the walls, a neutral choice like white, off-white or taupe may be right for you. Use decor pieces like rugs and wall art to bring splashes of color into the space.

Tip: Use wall decals to decorate your child's playroom without painting a pattern on the wall. You can even add wall stickers and decals to bring color to a more neutral space if you don't opt for a bright wall color to start.

Most kids are going to spend some serious time on the floor in a playroom. They’re also going to take a toll on any flooring that exists in their play space. If you’re building from the ground up or retrofitting a room to be a dedicated playroom, an ultra-durable material like linoleum, wood laminate or solid wood is an ideal choice. These materials can stand up to abuse and are relatively easy to clean.

Along with the right flooring, area rugs can work wonders in a playroom and give your kids somewhere soft to play with their trucks, stuffed animals and any other toys that they love. Look for colorful, plush rugs to add to your child’s playroom.

When choosing a rug for a playroom, make sure you buy a solid non-slip rug mat to put beneath your rug. This will keep your kids from slipping during more active play sessions and help protect your flooring from wear.

Once the paint, wall art, flooring and rugs are in place, it’s time to arrange the furniture. Use these tips to pick the perfect playroom furniture for your kids:

• Add a size-appropriate table and chair set. Your kids will use theirs for everything from make-believe tea parties to reading books and drawing pictures.
• Go for a fort or other easy-to-craft play space within your play room. Let your kids help you choose between a fort, dress-up corner or anything else that fits their play style.
• Create a reading nook. For this, all you’ll need is a cozy chair – a large beanbag works great, too – and a floor lamp for reading. You can also hang sheer curtains for extra privacy and secluded comfort. Make sure you’ve got enough seating for every kid in the house if you’ve got more than one.
• Consider bench seating that can double as a day bed. This makes it easy for kids to take a nap in their playroom.

A space designed specifically for play is going to get messy in a hurry no matter what you do. Proper organization will make cleanup much easier. Use these playroom storage and organization tips to help you keep your child’s play space neat and tidy:

• Hang shelves. Wall shelves are a great way to display decor items and organize toys and stuffed animals. Paint your wall shelves or choose a neutral color like white so they’ll complement the space even if you change your playroom design later.
• Add storage bins. Storage bins are simple and easy to place into a child’s playroom. As freestanding furniture pieces, they can also store items like blankets and books. Look for low storage bins that are easy to access for the youngest member of your family.
• Organize the closet. If you’re using a spare bedroom as a play space, maximize the closet space. Use wire or wood closet organizers and hanging rack systems for toys, stuffed animals and more. A well-organized playroom closet can also double as overflow storage for out-of-season kids clothes.

The playroom is for the kids, but you can still create a comfortable area for you and any other adults who may be watching them play in their new space. Here are a few tips to make any playroom more comfortable for grown-ups:

• Add comfortable seating. A single chair can do the job, but if you have enough space, consider a pair of chairs or a small sofa so more adults can sit comfortably. Bench seating above built-in storage areas that are low to the ground are also ideal for kid-friendly access.
• Remember the lighting. As your kids get more comfortable with their new playroom, they’ll likely want to spend more and more time there. Make a good floor lamp or reading light part of your playroom decor and you’ll be able to enjoy a good book, or even work on your laptop, if your kids are old enough to not need constant supervision.

You’re designing a playroom for kids, and for most parents, the point is to make their young ones happy. So why not get them involved in the process from the beginning? Here are a few tips to help you get your kids involved:

• Ask them about their favorite paint colors. Letting them pick – with a little help from you, of course – can make them want to spend more time in the playroom you’re creating. Some kids will even want to help you paint.
• Let them pick out rugs with you. If you’re trying to decide between a few favorites for the playroom, show them options that work for the space and let them choose the one they love.
• Get their input on accessories. Things like lamps and wall art make a big difference in a playroom. Some kids won’t care about these details, but others may love the opportunity to make their personal playroom more fun.