Time For Playroom Ideas? Behold, This Checklist Has Everything You'll Need
If you're reading this, congratulations: You've already pulled off a beautiful nursery and gotten through those first months with a brand new baby. But now your baby is, well, not really a baby anymore, and it's time to make space for something else: playroom ideas.
The ideal playroom is a place of imagination and discovery, where little ones can play and grow. Here are a few of our favorite design ideas, and a handy list of essential must-haves, so you can create a whimsical wonderland for your little one.
Furniture
Bookcase
No kids' playroom idea is complete without a tiny library's worth of books to learn from and read again and again — plus a bookcase to hold them all. Look for an option that's low to the ground and perfectly sized for kiddos, so that they can reach with ease (Pro tip: Make sure all furniture is secured to the wall to prevent things from tipping over).
Add to cart: West Elm Sloan Bookrack, $199
Table and Chairs
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A table and chairs — in kid proportions — will become a hot spot for games, puzzles, and crafts. Stock with coloring supplies, construction paper, kid-friendly scissors, and stickers.
Add to cart: Tender Leaf Toys Forest Table and Chairs, $209.99
Comfy Seating
Equally important for afternoons curled up with chapter books is kid-friendly furniture, like a couch, sectional, daybed, or an armchair or two. Stock with plenty of throw blankets and pillows for maximum comfort (and for fort-making, of course).
Add to cart: World Market Honey Rattan Daybed, $549.99
Lighting
Reading or Standing Light
All playroom ideas need a reading lamp or two, for what else? Reading, coloring, working on projects, building things ... the list goes on and on.
Add to cart: Pillowfort Desk Task Lamp, $29.99
Hanging Light
As with any room, a playroom needs layers of lighting. An overhead or ceiling fixture casts all-over light — so there's plenty of illumination for playtime at all hours of the day and night (until bedtime, of course.)
Add to cart: Bell 1 Floor Light with Animal Shape Base, $133.55
Play
Pick and choose a few playthings that kids can use their imagination with and make their own. Here are a few ideas:
Train Set
Because every playroom needs a train set.
Add to cart: Hape Busy City Train Rail Set, $79.99
Fort
There's nothing better than building a pillow-and-blanket fort on a rainy day. Or, get one you can leave up rain or shine. No grown-ups allowed.
Add to cart: South Shore Sweedi Play Tent with Chalkboard, $84.99
Play Kitchen
A playroom idea must? Tiny kitchens. This essential is a fun addition for any and all genders to make-believe culinary masterpieces.
Add to cart: Teamson Kids 2 Piece Urban Adventure Play Kitchen Set, $151.99
Blocks
Classic wooden blocks last forever, and they encourage free thinking and strengthen building skills. With some imagination, blocks can become anything: a tall tower, a dollhouse, a road, a boat, you name it. Watch out Frank Lloyd Wright!
Add to cart: Excellerations Best Value Tabletop Unit Blocks, $109.55
Storage
Baskets and Bins
Keep toys in order with plenty of baskets and bins. To make cleanup (and finding things) easy, label the front of each one clearly according to type — such as stuffed animals, board games, sports stuff, etc.
Add to cart: Food52 Pehr Pom Pom Baskets, $24 – $85
Toy Chest
A sturdy wooden toy chest provides good-looking, out-of-sight storage for bulkier toys — and a good-quality version can grow with your kids. When they're older, use it in their bedroom as a blanket chest or a spot for keepsakes.
Add to cart: Target Child Craft Toy Box/Storage Chest, $69.98
Hooks and Pegs
Make tidying up easier for your tiny tots by hanging rows of wall hooks or pegs at their height for storing jump ropes, jackets, bags, and other hangable items. That way, when the kids come in, it's easy for them to hang things up and take them down for playtime.
Add to cart: West Elm Marble Medley Wall Hooks (set of 4), $19.99
Decor
Curtains
Fit playroom windows with curtains for privacy and in case there are any unplanned midday naps or movie nights. If you'd rather have blinds or shades, make sure they're cordless — hanging cords are a safety hazard for kids and toddlers.
Add to cart: Crate & Kids Silver Star Curtains, $19 – $39
Area Rug
An area rug might seem like a purely decorative item, and in most rooms, it is. But in the playroom, it's also where kiddos will spend most of their time, playing and lounging on the floor with books and games. Opt for something attractive in a kid-friendly pattern that is easy to clean — and make sure it's soft and comfortable, too. (Optional: Layer with a faux sheepskin.)
Add to cart: PB Teen Confetti Dot Rug, $129 – $649
Floor Pillows
Don't forget a handful of oversize cushions, which make playing or reading on the floor so much more comfortable.
Add to cart: Urban Outfitters Washed Corduroy Floor Pillow, $49
Garlands
Playroom ideas looks extra friendly with a garland or two — the more colorful and cheerful, the better.
Add to cart: World Market Colorful Felt Garland, $7.99
Chalkboard or Bulletin Board
Paint a wall in chalkboard paint or hang an oversize bulletin board to allow kids to draw their own murals or hang art and decor to their heart's content. After all, the playroom should be a space where kids can arrange the decor themselves.
Add to cart: Gautier Studio Blackjack Large Kids' Blackboard, $119
Artwork
Last but not least, hang some kid-friendly prints throughout, with their own creations peppered in the mix, too.
Add to cart: Type Alive ABC Kids' Art Print, $25