Turning a spare room in your house into a kids' playroom? We know a thing or two about creating fun, imaginative spaces and which kids’ playroom furniture pieces should make the cut. So, if you're a little stuck on what to include, we’re here to help!
Read on as we take you through what to know about creating a personalized space in your home that your child will enjoy.
Benefits Of Having A Playroom
Before we discuss all the essential elements of a kids’ playroom, let’s take a minute to find out why these designated spaces are important.
Firstly, a playroom means your house will be a lot tidier. That’s because a dedicated space for children to play helps keep toys and big craft projects away from the rest of your home.
While the room will most likely look like a colorful tornado hit it every day, the great thing is that this whirlwind is confined to a single room in the house. And if you have unexpected guests, you can just close the door (if there is one), and no one will know!
Another great benefit of playrooms is that they can help your child understand that their bedroom is for sleeping.
When you regularly perform a certain activity in a specific room, your brain begins to associate the room with that activity.
For example, if you have a home office and all you do at your desk is switch your computer on and work, then you’ll naturally begin to fall into that rhythm as soon as you step into the room.
When it comes to your child’s bedtime, you want them to associate their room with sleep. But if your child uses their room to both sleep and play, it may take them a while to want to snooze.
Having a playroom helps separate playing and sleeping areas so there’s no confusion about what’s expected when your child is in either space.
In addition, when your child’s friends come over for a visit, a playroom makes things a little easier. You already have a spot for them to have fun together. If they’re old enough, you can leave them in the room and have adult conversations elsewhere without being interrupted.
Finally, one of the biggest benefits of playrooms is that they can help you create dedicated spaces that facilitate learning. Whether you would like your child to paint, draw, or build something with their blocks, it’s easier to have a specific area dedicated to this educational play.
Now that we know why playrooms are so important, let’s help you choose the right kids’ playroom furniture for your little one.
Top Tips For Choosing Kids’ Play Furniture
1) Have A Plan
It's challenging to create a fun playroom without a solid plan. So, before purchasing any furniture, come up with a clear vision.
Answer the following questions to determine the best use of your space:
- Do you have multiple children that need to share the playroom? If so, you'll want to consider furniture and toys that accommodate the different ages.
- Is the room you’re using small? Then you might need to consider multifunctional pieces.
- What theme would work best for the room?
- Are you hoping to keep this playroom for a few years? If so, will the furniture you’re purchasing suit your child as they grow?
Considering your space, your children’s age, and their likes and dislikes will help you create a plan to meet their needs.
2) Choose Color
As adults, we might prefer more neutral color schemes in our home. But choosing pieces, colors, and patterns that excite your child can make their playroom even more special for them.
Think back to when you were little. Did nude, white, or brown furniture get you excited? Or were you more drawn to colorful, rainbow-inspired pieces?
If your child has a favorite color, this can even be the dominant color in the room. And don't just stop at the furniture — the storage bins, walls, decor, and toys can all be fun and colorful.
If you're not yet ready to take the plunge with bold colors on the walls or larger pieces of furniture, that's okay. You can style your child's room in neutral tones and then add some bright rugs, beanbags, or storage bins to add color.
3) Add Some Comfy Seating
Comfortable seating is an essential part of a child's playroom. And the best part is you don't have to complicate things. You can keep it simple with a fur rug, bean bags, floor cushions, or even a giant stuffed animal.
The more comfy and inviting the space is, the more excited your child will be to play in their room.
4) Consider Size And Height
When looking for the right kids’ playroom furniture, it's essential to consider the items' size and height. Ideally, you want pieces that your little one can easily climb, grab, or crawl through without needing much (if any) help from you.
So, consider your child's age and how big they are (and will likely be in a couple of years) when picking furniture pieces.
5) Think About Storage
Children’s items take up a lot of the space in your home — cots, changing tables, playpens, little chairs and tables...the list of items never ends.
Knowing you’ll need to store these items, it's important to dedicate a particular portion of your child’s playroom for this purpose. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to make it functional. Colorful tote bags or wicker baskets can make great storage bins!
6) Incorporate Easy-To-Clean Flooring
Cleaning up after children can be a challenge. But opting for linoleum or wooden flooring makes life a little easier because these materials are both easy to clean and stain-resistant.
However, if your budget is a little tight, consider foam flooring instead. The foam is also easy to clean and is a great way to add comfort and interesting colors and patterns to a space.
Pro Tip: These floors even come in more neutral tones that are great if your playroom is in an open area of your home where bright colors might really clash.
7) Don't Forget To Personalize Items
Your kids' playroom should be a place they love. And since they'll also be doing a lot of playing, learning, and relaxing in this space, why not incorporate personalized items into the mix?
To get started, you can involve them in the process by asking questions like:
- What's your favorite color, animal, or toy?
- Do you want a jungle, princess, or ocean theme?
And, whenever possible, ask for their opinion on the kids’ playroom furniture you’re considering.
All of this involvement will help your child get excited about their room, and when everything is put together, they'll be happy to see that you took some of their likes into consideration.
3 Fun Playroom Ideas
1) Kitchen Play Area
Kitchen play areas are an old favorite that many kids love. Consider incorporating a simple 4-piece wooden kitchen set and little tables and chairs into the room’s design along with a “cooking” area for the full mini-chef experience.
Remember to add props such as pots, pans, and cutlery to help make the kitchen come to life!
2) Cozy Fort
Creating a fort can be a fun activity for your child, and you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets to create one.
You can use any available resources in your home to create a reading nook, a fairy garden, or a teepee. And, to add some comfort to their creation, our crib mattresses and cotton sheets can also come in handy. Newton's Figgy Play Couch would also be a great addition.
These organic, breathable materials give you peace of mind while providing endless fun for your child!
3) Craft Corner
If your child is like most, they probably love using their hands to play and explore. To encourage more of this hands-on learning, put together a craft box for your little one.
This craft box can be filled with pipe cleaners, cotton balls, paint, building blocks, and everything else that’s kid-friendly around the house. This is an interactive way for children to develop their creativity and imagination.
What fun items will they create? We’ll have to wait and see!
It’s Time To Play!
Kids’ playrooms and kids’ playroom furniture are a great way to give children a space where they can learn and explore. They’re also an excellent way to keep a tidier home (or at least reduce the mess).
We hope that the above guide will help you create a fun space for your child that they can enjoy with their friends for many years to come.
While creating your child’s playroom, remember to include our crib mattress or organic cotton sheets for safe, cozy comfort in the space.
Happy playing!
