Guest Blogger: How to Design an Inspiring Playroom for your Kids

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Guest Blogger: How to Design an Inspiring Playroom for your Kids

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 03:07 AM PST

 Guest Blogger #309, Entry #854, December 22, 2011

Unless you want toys littering the living room and homework piling up on the dining room table, it behooves you to set up a kids area they can use to play and do homework away from the common areas of your house.  While you might not want to give up your own home office or den for this purpose, you may be able to find an alternate space like the attic, the basement, or the garage for this purpose.  And as long as you furnish and decorate it with the wants and needs of your children in mind, you won’t hear any complaints.  So here are a few things you’ll certainly want to consider when it comes to outfitting a playroom for your kids.

Create an inspiring playroom for your kids

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Age appropriate design

The first thing you need to think about is the age (or ages) of your kids.  The reason for this is purely practical because smaller kids are not only going to have different needs than older siblings; they’re also going to operate on an entirely different level (and a smaller scope).  So whether your kids range in age from toddler to high-school or you simply want to create a space that will serve your young children as they grow, you need to think about how you can make your space versatile for ongoing needs of all your kids.

Consider flooring in your kids playroom – this basement variety is great!

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Walls and flooring

To start at the beginning, you need to address the walls and flooring of the space.  While you might be keen to keep the neutral walls that came with your house, consider that a white or off-white wall is a little institutional and not terribly inspiring (especially when paired with fluorescent overhead lights common to garage and basement spaces).  Injecting some color and pattern into the space through kid-appropriate paint and artwork will set the stage for creativity and fun.
And when it comes to flooring, practical and comfortable is the name of the game.  Hardwoods aren’t great to play on since they’re, well, hard.  And carpeting that is subjected to spills, markers, glitter, and who-knows what else will soon be a useless mess.  So if you have to install some flooring anyway, think about laying down interlocking rubber tiles (like the ones at the gym).  The kids won’t get hurt if they fall, they can spill all they like, and tiles are easy to clean and cheap to replace, making them perfect for you kids’ playroom.

Furnishings and storage

The next step is to install kid-friendly furnishings and storage.  You’ll probably want workspaces that are suited to the size and activity level of your kids.  So a low craft table is a good idea for small kids while school-age children will likely need individual desks to sit and do homework in peace.  You should also install cubbies and containers for storing different items; the bottom shelf could house toys for toddlers while higher cubbies could be used for craft supplies and school items for older kids.

Comfortable and functional furniture is essential

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Kid accessories

Finally, you should add some flair to the space with accessories that the kids will love.  So find some cute and colorful lamps, a few photo frames to hold their favorite family pics (or hang their own artwork), and even an iPod docking station so they can have some tunes on while they play or do homework.  It takes a little forethought to prepare a recreational space that is suitable for your kids, but once you look at it from their point of view you should have no trouble designing a room that they’ll love to use.
Evan Fischer is a contributing writer for Home Tuition Singapore where you can find quality one on one home tutoring for all subjects and levels.
For more kids organization & decor on Stagetecture, click here.