I Put A Playroom In My Living Room

ad. Having a dedicated playroom sounds like a dream! A place to store all the toys and keep the rest of the house tidy? Count me in! But the reality is that most people don’t have space for a playroom. And if they do have space, it means that their child will spend most of their time either alone in a playroom, or end up bringing toys into the family living space.

I really liked the idea of having my son play in our living room – after all, it is a family room! Our living room is a large enough room that he can have a good-sized play space. We’ve had this setup since we moved in six months ago, but I’ve just added some new wall art and flags to make it look even more fun!

Here are some tips on how to turn your living room into a fun play space for children. 

Map Out Zones

In a multi-functional space, it’s smart to create clear zones. You can use rugs or furniture to define play and living areas. A colourful rug can be fun and also offer a bit of comfort for floor play, and make it a fun space. Arrange the sofa, toy storage, or bookshelves as barriers between the toy zone and the rest of the house. 

A side table near the front of the window can separate art supplies from board games and larger toys. This furniture arrangement keeps each designated space clear while making it easy to clean up at the end of the day.

If you have sufficient space, you can create zones for activities such as reading, crafts, and imaginative play, like a play kitchen. This keeps activities organised and helps small kids find their favourite spot quickly in the living room.

Storage Solutions

I love storage solutions that look tidy, think things you can close and hide clutter behind! Storage ottomans or benches serve two purposes in a kids’ playroom or living room. They hold a lot of toys, books, and art supplies out of sight. Many storage options can even fit under windows or next to the front door.

These pieces can blend well with any colour scheme or interior design style you choose for the whole room. Choosing multi-functional furniture is a great idea for families who want a space to spend time together without clutter taking over the formal living room.

Shelves, baskets, and bins make it easy to keep your living room organised. Easy access encourages kids to put things away after playtime. An organised area helps maintain a clean look in the entire living room while allowing open-ended play for children.

Blend the Play Area with the Living Room

Choose a colour scheme that complements the living area, as this will help the space feel calm and inviting. Use light, bright colours to open up small areas. You can also add bold accents for a playful touch.

Mix patterns carefully to avoid chaos in the room. Stick to a few main shades, and use them throughout the playroom space and living area. This creates harmony between zones for activities like crafts or reading. Hanging cheerful wall art, cushions, and rugs can all share similar tones for added cohesion without losing style in your formal sitting room.

Rotate Toys

A toy rotation system helps keep the play area tidy by keeping your child interested in a few toys at a time. Store the rest in bins or baskets out of sight, then change the toys every few weeks; this keeps play fresh and exciting, matching your child’s interests.

Also, limit the number of toys available at once, as too many options can overwhelm young kids. Focus on quality over quantity; choose items that promote various types of play, like games or crafts.

Regularly organise and declutter

Toys can pile up quickly. Choose a day each week to sort through toys and games. Keep only the things your child plays with often. Donate or store unused toys.

Our Play Area

Our play area is simple, but I love how it looks. My son loves the tent for reading or hiding in! The IKEA storage drawers are great for his train sets, and the smaller drawers are perfect for storing all those little bits that come with toys.

The thing I love most is the wall art from Posterstore. I love the giraffe and lion prints, as they feature floral patterns within the design, which complement the rest of the room. I’ve put his little phonics posters from school into A4 frames so we can practice them over summer. I wasn’t sure how the flags would turn out, but I actually love how they look! I was also worried about how to position the ‘You Are My Sunshine’ sign. I wasn’t sure whether to place it under the light or between the pictures. I am happy with the option I chose, even though it was a bit of a gamble.

We are lucky that under the window to the right, there’s a large window seat with storage, so many of his toys are in there, ready for rotation.

Next on my list is to sort out the toys in his bedroom!

Related posts:

• Styling Our Entrance Hall With Desenio
• Creating a cosy reading area on our landing
• Styling My Kawai Upright Piano
• Styling Our Ikea Daybed With Poster Store