The following article was published in the
Vermont Home Style Magazine in 2005
and written by Annette Besaw

Creating A Playroom - Bring Out The Best In You And Your Kids

Designing a playroom for our children can bring out our hidden creativity and has nurturing factor that goes along with this process. Involving your child in the design process will make the process more successful. One of the most important elements is plenty of storage. Book shelves, bins, baskets, trunks, etc., there can never be enough. Combine elements that are practical, fun, comfortable and pleasing to the eye. Be creative when choosing colors because it stimulates children’s creativity. Remember to choose furniture that can be versatile and can be used for their next stage of development. If not close by, a ½ bath and a kitchenette could be added for convenience.

I have found that an organized and zoned playroom works best. “Organized” means having a home for everything. Labeling the shelves with pictures so kids know what goes where. A zoned playroom has 3 areas, a loft, an open area and a cozy alcove for reading books. Building various levels in a room creates interest and creativity. A loft can be used for a pretend play area, could be a cave today a firehouse tomorrow. An open area can house an art center and block building on one side, and a large motor area on the other. A quiet alcove should be a cozy nook to read or to listen to books on tapes. So be sure you supply this area with storage to house books where the covers can be seen to stimulate interest.

A closet can be transformed into a puppet theater. Cut the door in ½ and remove the top part.

A mural could be painted on a large wall to give a thematic feel to the room. Contact the art department in your local high school and ask if there are any art students that would be willing to paint a mural for school credit or for pay. If the space has no windows use cloud printed wallpaper, frame and hang to give an outdoor feel. Hang a clothes line on the wall in the art area to hang art creations. Attach ropes and pulleys from the loft to an area below and attach a pail or bucket to transport articles from one level to another. Hang a roll of white craft paper on a wooden dowel or a drapery rod on the wall for easy access for your child’s art creations. You can also make an easel out of a sheet of Plexiglas. The concept of seeing their creations in reverse can be intriguing.

If the space feels cluttered take a piece of vinyl and velcro it to the bookcases. You can remove the vinyl during craft time and use it to protect the floor. Take an old coffee table and paint the top of it with chalkboard paint or paint it a bright color and use it for your craft table. You can also find specialty paint that can be used for magnet boards. To make magical constellations use glow in the dark paint for the ceiling. Corkboard can also have many uses.

Every room needs soft elements. There is child size furniture out there to be purchased, but I believe children grow too fast and would prefer to use adult size furniture.

This also give the adults a place to sit while reading a story to that special someone. Bean bag chairs are always a favorite among all ages. Children feel like they are getting a little hug while sitting in them. Hang a mirror on the wall in the open area where children can watch themselves dancing to their favorite tone.

If short bookcases are used in the center of the room, use the backs of them for magnetic games or hang fabric with pockets to store small stuffed animals or all those beanie babies. Underneath the loft might be a good place to house a computer station. Be sure there in ample lighting here and throughout the whole space, especially in the reading nook. You can find on the market huge blocks that your child can use to build their own play environment. They are modular and customizable. And don’t forget children’s all time favorite, free large cardboard boxes that appliances come in. Attach a few together to make a huge tunnel or cut doors and windows in them and let the children paint their own playhouse.

You can find area rugs that are designed to look like roads or have games on them. Get your child to help you make your own using fabric paint and a sisal rug.

If your space is big enough think of adding a swing or a small climbing apparatus for large motor development or to just get that excess energy out.

The most creative time in a person’s life is when we are 4 years old. Designing a playroom for our preschoolers can be an exciting time. If we take time to really observe our children, they will show us the way. You must think as a kid thinks. Try it. Have courage and jump right in! You may surprise yourself.

A B Transformations – Annette Besaw
Interior Designer and Professional Organizer
802-879-8353