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10 Dos and Don'ts for a Fun and Practical Playroom
Up the fab factor in your kids' playroom with these colourful and creative ideas. They're sure to inspire hours of play
If you have the space in your home, a dedicated playroom is a treat for your children and an asset for you – no toys spilling over into your adult spaces! This is a place where kids can be kids, where they are free to be creative, imaginative and, yes, messy. That said, a playroom shouldn’t be a place just to dump the toys and leave mess unchecked. This space should work hard, function well and look good, too. It should be creative, not chaotic; child friendly, but welcoming to any passing adult. So how do you do it? Begin by checking out these playroom dos and don’ts…
2. Do play with scale
Since much of the furniture and storage for young children will be small-scale and low-level, add some large-scale pieces, too, like this poster-size puppy photograph. It will prevent the room looking Lilliputian.
Since much of the furniture and storage for young children will be small-scale and low-level, add some large-scale pieces, too, like this poster-size puppy photograph. It will prevent the room looking Lilliputian.
3. Do opt for bold schemes
The playroom should feel like part of your home, but you can still add in brighter shades that will delight kids. Colourful rugs, cushions or curtains are an easy, quick and versatile way to up the fun factor.
The playroom should feel like part of your home, but you can still add in brighter shades that will delight kids. Colourful rugs, cushions or curtains are an easy, quick and versatile way to up the fun factor.
4. Do encourage creativity
Children love writing on walls, so instead of hanging expensive wallpaper, try covering one wall of the playroom with chalkboard paint. It will encourage their creativity and, hopefully, keep wall scribbling to one area!
Children love writing on walls, so instead of hanging expensive wallpaper, try covering one wall of the playroom with chalkboard paint. It will encourage their creativity and, hopefully, keep wall scribbling to one area!
5. Do Display creations
This is the room where the creativity happens, so make sure there’s a place to show it all off. A simple wire strung along one wall is a great place to peg up wet paintings and display favourite artworks.
This is the room where the creativity happens, so make sure there’s a place to show it all off. A simple wire strung along one wall is a great place to peg up wet paintings and display favourite artworks.
7. Don’t make tech an afterthought
Consider the technology you’ll be fitting in the room at the planning stage or you’ll end up with messy cables running everywhere. This not only looks ugly but can be a hazard, too. Try wall-mounting a TV to free up space, or conceal it inside a cupboard.
Consider the technology you’ll be fitting in the room at the planning stage or you’ll end up with messy cables running everywhere. This not only looks ugly but can be a hazard, too. Try wall-mounting a TV to free up space, or conceal it inside a cupboard.
8. Don’t dismiss second-hand pieces
Buying preloved items is more than just a budget option, as this playroom demonstrates. The carpet squares were leftovers from a school project and create a fun patchwork effect. Furniture picked up at auction adds bags of vintage character and, if already scuffed, can take a little more rough treatment.
Buying preloved items is more than just a budget option, as this playroom demonstrates. The carpet squares were leftovers from a school project and create a fun patchwork effect. Furniture picked up at auction adds bags of vintage character and, if already scuffed, can take a little more rough treatment.
9. Don’t invest in age-sensitive themes
This is a fantastic castle-style playroom that would thrill most young children, but what happens when they hit their teens? Children move through passions and hobbies quickly, so play it safe and pick decor that won’t date if you don’t want to completely renovate every few years.
This is a fantastic castle-style playroom that would thrill most young children, but what happens when they hit their teens? Children move through passions and hobbies quickly, so play it safe and pick decor that won’t date if you don’t want to completely renovate every few years.
10. Don’t underestimate storage needs
At every age and stage, children come with baggage, so make sure you have plenty of places to stash their things. Be sure to mix it up, too, teaming cupboards with baskets, boxes and open shelving.
At every age and stage, children come with baggage, so make sure you have plenty of places to stash their things. Be sure to mix it up, too, teaming cupboards with baskets, boxes and open shelving.
Hard surfaces, such as wood and vinyl, withstand spills and can be cleaned easily. They also provide a good base on which to build towers or train tracks. Here, combining chequerboard and cork-effect vinyl adds extra detail. You can always throw down rugs or beanbags to soften areas within the space.