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Clever Kids' Rooms: Tried and Trusted Tips for a Unisex Playroom
How to create the perfect playroom that will delight both boys and girls alike
If you have both boys and girls, creating a joint playroom that keeps them both happy can be a challenge. A playroom should encourage children to relax, think, play and get creative, and be a place they want to take their friends. This can be difficult if boys and girls have different ideas about play, games, toys and colours. But sticking to these simple design ideas regarding choice of colour, creating different zones, and providing plentiful storage will help you to create a space they both love to be in.
Grey and lime green
The soft dove grey and lime green here are not obvious unisex colours but make for a calming, restful and relaxing space that will suit tots just as well as it will teens. No-nonsense carpet in a neutral shade ups the comfort factor, whether playing trains on the floor or up late at night cramming for exams.
The soft dove grey and lime green here are not obvious unisex colours but make for a calming, restful and relaxing space that will suit tots just as well as it will teens. No-nonsense carpet in a neutral shade ups the comfort factor, whether playing trains on the floor or up late at night cramming for exams.
Monochrome
Classic black and white looks wonderful against sisal and wood and creates an unexpected and playful colour palette. Just because this room isn’t awash with pink or bright primary colours – as most playrooms are – doesn’t make it any less inviting. In fact, this fresh, bright and breezy room is just crying out to be played in.
Classic black and white looks wonderful against sisal and wood and creates an unexpected and playful colour palette. Just because this room isn’t awash with pink or bright primary colours – as most playrooms are – doesn’t make it any less inviting. In fact, this fresh, bright and breezy room is just crying out to be played in.
Multi-coloured
A bold mix of several different colours is the fun and vibrant approach here, and everyone’s favourite is sure to make an appearance. Paint chairs in an array of colours, and involve children in the decision making. Personalise the space further by decorating the walls – and even the ceiling – with their bright and beautiful artworks.
A bold mix of several different colours is the fun and vibrant approach here, and everyone’s favourite is sure to make an appearance. Paint chairs in an array of colours, and involve children in the decision making. Personalise the space further by decorating the walls – and even the ceiling – with their bright and beautiful artworks.
Stripes
Stripes suit boys and girls alike but why not pair a primary colour with one that’s a little more grown up for a look that lasts? Red paired with soft beige, as in this children’s reading and play nook, has an appeal all of its own. This approach is ideal if the playroom is visible from other rooms, or is part of an open-plan design.
Tolomeo Faretto E27 wall lamp; 60 stool: Artek
Stripes suit boys and girls alike but why not pair a primary colour with one that’s a little more grown up for a look that lasts? Red paired with soft beige, as in this children’s reading and play nook, has an appeal all of its own. This approach is ideal if the playroom is visible from other rooms, or is part of an open-plan design.
Tolomeo Faretto E27 wall lamp; 60 stool: Artek
The pinstriped wallpaper here is brilliant for both sexes, and is a backdrop that will stand the test of time. Just change the accessories as they grow for a more mature look.
Decals
Decals add a fun and whimsical touch, and are great for renters because they’re so easy to apply and remove. Why not take the kids shopping and see if they can agree between themselves on how to decorate their playroom. Just make it clear that the credit card will not be making an appearance unless all parties are happy with their decal decision.
Decals add a fun and whimsical touch, and are great for renters because they’re so easy to apply and remove. Why not take the kids shopping and see if they can agree between themselves on how to decorate their playroom. Just make it clear that the credit card will not be making an appearance unless all parties are happy with their decal decision.
Chalkboard canvas
Sometimes a blank slate is the best approach – the kids will soon make it their own. A chalkboard wall is great for budding artists, is a good means of communication, and will allow both boys and girls to express themselves.
Sometimes a blank slate is the best approach – the kids will soon make it their own. A chalkboard wall is great for budding artists, is a good means of communication, and will allow both boys and girls to express themselves.
Big kids
If your children are older, go grown-up with wood, natural materials and neutral colours.
If your children are older, go grown-up with wood, natural materials and neutral colours.
CREATE DIFFERENT ZONES
Splitting the room into zones for different activities is more likely to keep everyone engaged. Consider a low table for Lego, a dress-up zone with storage baskets, a reading area with bean bags, a desk for drawing and working, and a rug for soft floor play. In this playroom, there’s even a boxing zone for when the kids need to burn off some energy.
Splitting the room into zones for different activities is more likely to keep everyone engaged. Consider a low table for Lego, a dress-up zone with storage baskets, a reading area with bean bags, a desk for drawing and working, and a rug for soft floor play. In this playroom, there’s even a boxing zone for when the kids need to burn off some energy.
Children love having their own personal go-to area, whether it be a designated part of the room or just their own desk or chair. Create an area each where they have freedom to work, play and express themselves. This is done here with two chairs in different colours. Easy.
Three work stations provide ample personal space for each child, ensuring they always have their own place to work and store their treasures. If you can squeeze a desk and storage into each of their rooms, that might suit them even better. Involving your children in the decision making will soon help you figure out if a communal or solo desk arrangement is the way to go.
PROVIDE BOUNTIFUL STORAGE
Bring lots of storage into the room with built-ins, free-standing units, or baskets and bins. This will ensure each child has their own space to play and that they are not tripping over each others’ things. Here the plentiful shelves and storage boxes in different colours keep each child’s toys and clutter hidden out of sight. It also makes packing away and tidying up a breeze. Blue, green, red and orange are the colours of choice here – sure to please both boys and girls.
Bring lots of storage into the room with built-ins, free-standing units, or baskets and bins. This will ensure each child has their own space to play and that they are not tripping over each others’ things. Here the plentiful shelves and storage boxes in different colours keep each child’s toys and clutter hidden out of sight. It also makes packing away and tidying up a breeze. Blue, green, red and orange are the colours of choice here – sure to please both boys and girls.
The different coloured bins here store each child’s toys and are easy to identify. The aqua on the wall, rug and window treatment ties the room together.
If your daughter can’t live without pink but your son insists on all-things blue, why not just go with it and include both colours? Throw some other colours into the mix, and provide plenty of storage boxes for toys and it’s sure to be a playroom they can’t wait to spend time in.
YOUR SAY
How have you met the needs of the boys and girls in your home’s playroom? Share your ideas in the comments section.
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YOUR SAY
How have you met the needs of the boys and girls in your home’s playroom? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
14 Imaginative Playroom Ideas That Will Keep Kids Coming Back for More
Fun Houzz: Could You Get to Grips With a Climbing Wall?
Growing Concerns: All-Age Kids’ Bedrooms
Work Your Wizardry Under the Stairs for a Retreat Your Kids Will Love
Choose colours that set the mood for playrooms rather than obvious boys’ or girls’ colours. Seek out colour combinations that sing and look beyond traditional unisex colours to more unusual shades such as the dark blue seen here. Pairing it with the orange wallpaper and chair lightens it up and provides a burst of cheerful colour any child will love. Bonus: you won’t have to make over the room as the kids grow up.
Deco monkeys wallpaper: De Gournay; Eames chair with Eiffel base