How to Design the Perfect Playroom to Combine Fun, Function, and Flair

Why create a separate playroom?

Even considering a separate room just for play, is amazing for both parents and children. But why is it such a good idea? If you are not yet convinced, here are a few reasons!

• Neutral play zone for all your children. If you have more than one child, the playroom will be a shared space. Not only you don’t have to divide toys between kids’ bedrooms, but they can learn to share and play together from an early age.
• More space for movement. The kid’s bedroom has some mandatory furniture like a wardrobe, bed, dresser, and even a desk. A playroom can be almost furniture-free and be a space where kids can run and be active more freely (especially when the weather is bad for outside play!).
• Bedroom for rest, playroom for play. If the bedroom is not filled with toys and active play elements, the separation can help a child have more restful evenings.
• A place where to host friends. Playroom is also perfect for hosting your kids' friends. It is a designated room where all the children can come together, play, and learn without disrupting any other rooms in the house.

Understanding your playroom needs

Once you have decided that you want a playroom, it is time to understand your needs and limitations.

First up, consider your child’s age, interests, and activities. If you have children of different ages, factor in a designed play area for all ages. Keep in mind that children can change their interests fast, so don’t be scared to not only cater to their current favorite activities but also add unfamiliar and new themes for them to explore.

Then, make realistic observations about the playroom size and what layout could be the best for the space and your kids. Also, think about the near and far future. How you can adapt the room so it grows with your kids and what the room will become in the future when kids will grow out of a playroom.

Make sure you have a checklist of what you definitely need to add and what is optional. For example:

Need:

• Reading nook
• Play areas for children aged 3, 5 and 7
• Crafts table

Want:

• Jungle gym
• Swings
• Slide
• Playhouse

Choosing a theme for a playroom

Should a playroom have a theme? That really depends on you and your children. But since children grow and change their interests quite fast, it is best to add the theme through accessories or removable playroom wallpaper – something you can change rather quickly.

Also if you have more than one child who will be using the playroom, it is best to mix their interest or create little corners with themes. For example, adventure zone, fantasy zone, cars zone.

When choosing a color palette for the playroom, remember that toys already are bright and colorful, so the room’s walls and furniture don’t necessarily need to be bold. To have a harmonious playroom stick to a few neutral colors for base items like desks and chairs. If you want you can add a pop of color with playroom wallpaper, curtains, floor mats, or rug.

Playroom wallpaper

Let’s see what wallpaper can do to a playroom! It is a great way how to explore a theme, add more playfulness to the area, or just the opposite – bring a little bit of peace into the playroom.

Peaceful playroom wallpapers

• Cute clouds Wallpaper – Simple, blue playroom wallpaper with light fluffy clouds. A very relaxing color palette, that will add a serene element to the playroom.
• Ripples of Mural Wallpaper – Wallpaper that’s almost like a colored wall. Perfect to add a pop of color but keep the playroom minimalistic.
• Fluffy Leaf Wallpaper – The neutral color palette of this playroom wallpaper will add a nice pattern but won’t overwhelm the place.
• Chalk Drawing Wallpaper – These simple lines in a semicircle pattern give a peace of calmness yet subtle playfulness.
• Palm Leaves Wallpaper – Light green leaves that are perfect for a tropical or nature-themed playroom.

Animal-themed playroom wallpapers

• Dog Park Wallpaper – If your kids love dogs, this is a perfect playroom wallpaper. It can even transition easily into your kids’ teenage years since the pattern is quite mature.
• Cute Zoo Wallpaper – Wallpaper that is more suited for younger kids since the animals on the wallpaper are drawn in a very cute manner.
• Exotic Animals Wallpaper – Are your kids animal experts? This realistic-looking animal-themed wallpaper is great for nature explorers.
• Fox in the Forest Wallpaper – Animal and forest themes are mixed in this playroom wallpaper with a cute foxie drawn with different trees.
• Bear Happiness Wallpaper – Three little bears sharing a pot of honey is a very nice addition to an animal-themed or forest-themed playroom.
• Portraits Wallpaper – This wallpaper serves not only aesthetic purposes but also educational. A wall full of drawn bear portraits that show different grimaces is a great way how to learn more about emotions and feelings!

Space-themed playroom wallpaper

• Through a Telescope Wallpaper - This dark blue wallpaper can become an amazing feature wall. Because of its dark colors, it is better to use it on just one wall to create depth and theme.
• Constellations Wallpaper – Light wallpaper with stars, different suns, and moons. Very cute and playful wallpaper for the playroom.
• Milky Way Wallpaper – Is your kid a fan of all things cosmos and space? This mural wallpaper is perfect for little space explorers.
• Space Sketch Wallpaper – Rockets, planets, and meteorites drawn in calming lavender and light blue.
• Into the Space Wallpaper – Playroom wallpaper featuring a rocket and a moon, that will spark lots of creativity and inspiration for space play.

These are just a few playroom wallpaper ideas. To explore more themes and cute patterns, click here!

Functional layout for play and organization

Once you have the main theme for a playroom ready – either you have chosen a playroom wallpaper or a thematic rug, you can start planning the layout and organization.

What to keep in mind when planning a playroom:

• Easy access. Make sure all furniture is children-sized. And not only tables and chairs but also storage units. This means they can grab games, toys, and crafts themselves, and they can put these items back themselves as well.
• Less is more. Make sure you don’t overstuff the room with furniture and even toys. Add just the necessary furniture plus some pillows, puffs, and blankets for comfortable sitting on the floor.
• Plan the designated areas. Create an easy flow for the room. For example, put the table by the window, not in the middle of the room. If it is meant for crafts, have a shelf with craft supplies near the table. Place the reading nook near the crafts tables so all quiet activities are in one place. On the opposite side of the room and in the middle create active play areas.
• Bins, baskets, and boxes. Make organization simple! First, choose containers of the right size for the items. Second, organize toys and supplies together with your kids, so they know where everything goes. Third, make the organization system as simple as you can!

Ideas for playroom features

A playroom will be different for everyone. But there are some features that almost all kids love and grownups consider a good investment. Let’s see what they are!

Chalkboards

Or better yet – a chalkboard wall. Kids love to draw and express their creativity outside the realm of paper sheets. Give them a big canvas! It is also an option for them to easily create a backdrop setting for games or they can work together on a larger drawing project.

Wall decals

Playroom wallpaper can add a fun flair and inspire lots of fun games. If you choose the peel and stick wallpaper option, you can change it once in a while to add a new theme!

Play tents and playhouses

Kids love a good closed-up space indoors. Play tents and playhouses are cozy, kid-sized, and perfect for lots of fun games. They can serve as a fort or as an element of play.

Mats for the floor

To encourage kids to play on the floor, you can skip rugs and lay mats on the whole room’s floor. Mats are soft and a little bit bouncy so kids can run, tumble, jump, and experience active play safely. Mats are also easy to clean.

Good rug choices

If you go for a rug, make sure it has anti-slip properties. You definitely want your kids to play safely. Another thing you can look for is a theme. There are rugs that look like roads so children can play with little cars. Some rugs have animal, ocean, or even game court designs.

Technology-free zone?

Should a playroom be technology-free? That depends on you! There is no denying that technology is part of our daily lives and kids need to learn to use it wisely. On the other hand, kids are exposed to technology everywhere they go, so a room that is designated for tech-free play, can be a good call.

Elements that inspire creativity

Grownups like to do everything for their children, but remember that one of the best gifts of childhood is being creative. So, when looking for items to add to the playroom, look for ones that can have multiple purposes. For example, building blocks, different strings, even boxes, and other safe everyday items. Let your kids create their dream world themselves!

In conclusion

Designing the perfect playroom is about more than just creating a space for toys and games – it’s about fostering an environment where imagination, learning, and joy come to life. By thoughtfully balancing fun, functionality, and flair, you can craft a room that grows with your child and becomes a cherished part of their childhood.