PIP (long!) Help with playroom space?

CarlaAndJames

XP'd from my month board

Ok HGTVers and Pinners, I need your help!

Thinking about Christmas has me thinking about organizing our space a little better. LO's room is pretty filled with crib/glider/dresser/cube shelf, so while she plays in there a lot, her primary play space is our second living room. It's separated from our main living room by a look-through fireplace and non-fuctioning bar. You can see it from the front door, so we try to keep it fairly in control most of the time, but it really is the best space for us to dedicate mostly to her.

It is also DH's computer/desk space, and we won't want to get rid of that. That's one the main reasons it works, we can be on the computer with her playing out our feet and everyone is peaceful

We'll probably get her a wooden kitchen for christmas, and I'm thinking I'd like to do some kind of table and chairs for her to sit and color at as well. (or even something like this but short enough for her to sit at with a child's chair)

Here is the room:

Wall 1 - Bar on the left. DH's computer desk (sans computer for the moment). Door is to the laundry room and then to garage (so its our primary in/out)shelves on the right are built in, currently holding baskets with random stuff, could definitely be changed up for toys and stuff).

Next wall:

Built in shelves, horrible couch that I'd be happy to get rid of. Would like to have some typeof adult seating in here, but maybe a big chair or 2 or a smaller loveseat or something? Bookshelf on the right can be moved to another room and replaced with something more kid's storage friendly? Behind the couch is an awesome window seat that I feel like has more potential than we are currently using it for!

Next wall:

Door goes to the kitchen, and you can see the open edge of the room that leads to our foyer/front door on the right. Right now this is kind of a parking space for big toys.

Last wall:

This table is temporary (DH tore his knee and needed his computer set up where he could prop his leg up) Behind it is a raised hearth fireplace (short, only like 6-8" raised) The bar is on the right. Don't really want to bother ripping it out, but it's not functional, no plumbing going to it, but it does have a sink/faucet on one side.

 

Ok, if you made it through all that, hit me with all of your decorating genius! (and yes, I know first and foremost, we need to have those carpets cleaned!)

momofmanyinthemitten

Designs for Living and Learning is a really good book. It's more for daycare/preschools, but it shows different play areas that you should have for your kids and it has a ton of pictures. Check your library for it.

Comet4658

For primary in and out, do you keep jackets there?  In which case you might want some hooks.  I suggest nice ones, not plastic.  Do you keep shoes there?  You can put them in a basket on your shelf.  Other wise if you don't keep either than put toys at the lower part of the shelf and keep the top part for things for going in and out of the house.

Do you still rock your child to sleep?  If not get rid of the couch and move the glider in here for seating at no cost and then just find another chair.  Put a cushion on the window seat. 

Definitely paint the walls a different color than beige.  With beige carpet and walls the whole things just blends together.  What about light blue or a very nuetral/ natural green color? 

Your built in bookshelves don't match your charerry furniture.  Can you stain them cherry?  Oh green walls and cherry furniture look amazing together. 

For design look, I don't love plastic so when you look for items look for wood or metal such as the table and chairs and the storage.  I'm OK mismatching some wood but try to keep it as uniform as possible.  For example we have cherry wood matched with natural wood.  But cherry and white, I am not a fan of.  Cherry is much more grown-up than white, so I would go with that. 

Also pick one metal for the room and stick with that throughout.  It makes decorating so much easier.  Once you get the rules, you can break them.  I mixed balck and silver metal, but starting out its much easier to stick with one.  Measure your space and create a design board before purchasing. 

SusieBW

I don't have a ton of suggestions, other than to get rid of the couch and that table!  You have two really rad features in that room that you've got all hidden away. 

If I had a window seat, it would be the centerpiece of the room.  I'd get rid of those blinds and the couch, put up some flowy curtains and a pretty cushion on the seat, and get some natural light in there!

And I agree with PP about painting the walls so that they don't blend with the carpet.  Since it's primarily a play space, but still a main room in your house that everyone sees, I'd do something bright and fun, but still fairly tame - like a tuscan orange or springy green.  Something bright, especially with the big windows.

jenna3016

https://pinterest.com/jenna3016/ideas-for-e-s-playroom/

 

Check out Pinterest for ideas.