Creating a playroom

freeatlast2014 · August 2011

Hi Ladies! I pop on here from time to time and love the advice and ideas you all contribute.

We have an almost 8m old and plan on turning the guest room into a playroom. What are some must haves that you and your kids could not live without? What are some things you got/did that you would not do again if given the chance?

We do plan to have another child in the future so this room will be as is for quite a long time (we have a different room that will serve as #2's bedroom when the time comes).

TIA!!

ETA: Looking for ideas on keeping it organized, safe, and fun

lucisparents · August 2011

I saw a post the other day where a lady attached a metal oil pan (she said it was $9) to the wall for magnets. It was a really cute idea especially for older kids. I'm planning on using it myself. And I plan to make fabric bookshelves (like a pocket for the books) for our new playroom too.

shugs-n-sweets · August 2011

We just recently converted our formal living room into a playroom. My LO is still small so I will add way more eventually...

The 9 cube organizing shelves with baskets is a super cute and easy way to keep things organized. I have 2 large rubber buckets to keep bigger toys.

A rain gutter attached to the wall makes a great book display. Cookie sheets also work for magnets. Chalkboard paint for an area on the wall. Felt boards are easy to make by taking a piece of cardboard and wrapping it in felt fabric.

I hope to eventually get a mini play set like the ones you would normally put outside. A large mirror (set horizontally near the floor if they are small).

Can't think of anything else at the moment...

susanmosley · August 2011

I think my dream job would be designing a playroom.

A full length mirror

Squish, comfy, moveable seating

small table and chairs

some kind of floor mat/rug if hardwood floors

Something a kid can go into - a tent, a tunnel, etc

I agree with pp that those cube storage things are cute and functional.

Something that houses art/craft supplies, play doh, etc. - we have a plastic 6-drawer thing that is about 3 feet high - it works well.

meglew · August 2011

DD's playroom is pretty small, so organization was key. We have this storage unit from IKEA and the canvas bins for 4 of the slots, with plenty of room for books and puzzles in the other slots. She has this table and chairs for playing and craft projects. She still enjoys playing with her kitchen, so that remains, but will most likely be the next piece moved out. She also has 2 large canvas buckets (1- dress up clothes and 1- stuffed animals/dolls). She also is getting to storage cubes for additional seating and has another basket for books. She has a rug like this for driving her cars and trucks on.

Hope that this helps!

susanmosley · August 2011

meglew:
DD's playroom is pretty small, so organization was key. We have this storage unit from IKEA and the canvas bins for 4 of the slots, with plenty of room for books and puzzles in the other slots. She has this table and chairs for playing and craft projects. She still enjoys playing with her kitchen, so that remains, but will most likely be the next piece moved out. She also has 2 large canvas buckets (1- dress up clothes and 1- stuffed animals/dolls). She also is getting to storage cubes for additional seating and has another basket for books. She has a rug like this for driving her cars and trucks on.
Hope that this helps!

It helps me enjoy dreamland

...and pinterest

thanks

meglew · August 2011

susanmosley:
meglew:
DD's playroom is pretty small, so organization was key. We have this storage unit from IKEA and the canvas bins for 4 of the slots, with plenty of room for books and puzzles in the other slots. She has this table and chairs for playing and craft projects. She still enjoys playing with her kitchen, so that remains, but will most likely be the next piece moved out. She also has 2 large canvas buckets (1- dress up clothes and 1- stuffed animals/dolls). She also is getting to storage cubes for additional seating and has another basket for books. She has a rug like this for driving her cars and trucks on.
Hope that this helps!
It helps me enjoy dreamland
...and pinterest
thanks

I am glad I could help! Smile

EmmieB · August 2011

let's see...at 8 months we had a treasure basket, some big cars, a wire maze (from IKEA) and the foam floor pads.

It's stage 4, so I had a lot of focus on just getting outside, giving him space to explore, and the treasure baskets. The had spoons and scarves and things that rattled...

His play area has been in a state of growing with him, and he's got "stations" in the 3 rooms we spend the most time in (in addition to his bedroom and his play area) so that he interacts with us as much as possible - there are photos here:

https://embrita.blogspot.com/search/label/baby

(sorry, I'm not nearly as good about blogging as I ought to be)

Most of his furniture came from IKEA, but we're upgrading to this table from Land Of Nod later this year:

https://www.landofnod.com/kids-adjustable-play-tables/kids-furniture/espresso-low-activity-table/f3821 (we'll get the tall legs at the same time, so when the time comes we can make it a standard-height table for the kids to use as a desk.)

HTH!