How to Design an Organized & Stylish Kids' Playroom

{image via Design*Sponge & Our Labor of Love} 

A dedicated playroom may not be necessary if you live in a moderate climate year-around.  But for those that have to endure long cold winters or heat wave summers,  designing a playroom where kids can "shake their sillies out" is a good idea - not only for them, but you! Here are some tips on  how to design  an organized and stylish playroom:

Design with Your Child in Mind.

This may seem obvious, but it is really important to determine what your child likes to do before anything else. Does he enjoy legos, trucks or books? Does she love to paint, sing or play dress-up? Then select items for the space such as an easel, train table or cozy reading chair that will promote their interests. 

This fun & funky playroom {above} designed by Little Crown Interiors includes a mini black and white laminate dance floor and working disco ball for the future Broadway star. The aqua wall mirror mimics the checkered pattern in the dance floor nicely.  Whimsical custom cabinets are beautifully built to store and organize all those toys.

{image from Feldman Architecture via Houzz}

Go Vertical.

Floor to ceiling shelving helps maximize storage and helps balance a space visually. Check Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids and Room & Board for some great options. Organize the toys in stylish baskets & bins to keep clutter-free and easier to maintain. Favorite age appropriate toys should be kept within reach and on lower shelves to accommodate little ones.

San Francisco based, Feldman Architecture designed this practical, yet stylish playroom. The floor to ceiling built-in shelves and bench not only maximize storage, but frame the windows beautifully.

{image from Ore Studios via Design*Sponge}

Look Down.

Selecting the right flooring for your playroom is also important. If you have wooden, cement or carpet flooring, layering it with an easy to clean area rug is a good idea. The playroom above designed by Ore Studios showcases colorful carpet tiles from FLOR {child table & chairs from Room & Board}. I have recommended FLOR tiles to clients before and love them because they are washable, interchangeable and are available in a vast array of colors. No nails, glue or padding necessary. Gotta love that.

{image via Dash & Albert via Posh Tots}

I am also a hug fan of Dash & Albert woven cotton rugs. They offer tons of colorful patterns including preppy stripes in just about every hue and color combination. Although not used in a playroom, we have a  3' x 5' Dash & Albert rug in a high traffic area and cleans up beautifully in the washing machine. 

{image via Rosenberry Rooms}

Select Petite Furnishings.

Purchasing the right "kid" size furniture for a playroom is important. Because kids grow up so fast, and pieces may not be used more than a few years, first hit local consignment stores,  flea markets and yard sales for used kid's furniture. Ebay and Craigslist are also favorite resources for finding inexpensive furniture. Also, don't be afraid to purchase pieces even if a little beat up. A fresh coat of paint in a color coordinating with the room may be all that is needed.

Retail stores such as Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod and Rosenberry Rooms are also great resources for child's size furnishings.

 {image via Houzz & Affordable Closet Systems}

Add Color.

A playroom by nature is supposed be fun. The colors you select will either energize or calm. Determine how you want the room to feel: Calming or cool colors are often hues blues, greens and violets {most grays included}. Energizing or warm colors are often hues of  red, orange and yellow {browns and tans included}.

In this playroom above by Affordable Closet Systems horizontal stripes are painted on a slanted wall/ceiling in a cooling blue and green hues. The wide stripe combined with the narrow striping above the custom bookcase creates visual interest and draws our eyes up.

{image from Allison Cosmos via Houzz}

Personalize the Space.

Decorating the walls with framed family photos, vacation spots or pieces of your child's own artwork is a wonderful way to personalize the space in a playroom.  For those with a particular theme {i.e. jungle, princess, western, etc.} a custom mural or monogram wall decal are also great options.

Artist, Allison Cosmos recreated the Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland in this closet turned playroom. So sweet.

Bottom line, designing a playroom should be fun, so enjoy the process! 

Do you have a playroom for your kids or one when you were growing up?