A thoughtfully designed playroom can not only be a fun home experience for children, but also can make parents lives a little easier. Giving kids a space that encourages creativity and independence, a playroom is not only visual organized but also functional and adaptable, evolving as children grow. Today, I am going to share a roundup of some of my favorite decorating ideas for playrooms that can work long term and adjust with your child, based on what stage of “play” they are in. This post contains affiliate links.
20+ decorating ideas for playrooms that work long term
Decorating a playroom is about more than just choosing a fun color and decor. It is about creating a space the supports different kinds of play, keeping clutter manageable, and making sure the space feels inviting for little minds without feeling overwhelming. Focusing on a layout and flexible decor choices that not only look great but also support your child’s development is a great place to start when thinking about what you what your playroom to look like, as well as how to keep it organized.
What is the best color for a playroom
Choosing a color for your playroom is the first step to creating the space and often the hardest. Below are some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a color for your playroom
Neutral colors
Neutral colors for a playroom are a great option, as they are a base that can adapt and grow with your child, based on the colors and kinds of toys that they are liking at the moment. This flexibility allows the space to be adjusted and match any other home decor as well.
Soft pastels
Soft pastels are a great option for a more feminine playroom, but also are known to create a calming environment. This color palette is great to make a space feel whimsical for young children and invite play time.
Bright colors
It is recommended to avoid a lot of bright colors if your space as small, as this might feel too overwhelming. Instead, consider focusing on bright accent colors such as wall decals, pillows and other decor or furniture to add color with meaningful decor pieces.
Themed palettes
Themed playrooms, such as rainforest, rainbow, etc. are often a popular choice when decorating a playroom. Doing a themed room is a great idea if your child has something that they really like, but be sure to consider the long term feasibility of the theme if your child interested were to change over time.
How to decorate a playroom
Below are some ideas that I have incorporated when decorating my daughter’s playroom. These below ideas not only help me stay organized, but also inspire creative, open-ended play without feeling overwhelming and cluttered.
Step 1: Start with a layout that works for you
Start with a layout in your playroom that divides spaces into clear “zones” for play, arts and crafts and other things that your child likes to do.
Step 2: Choose multi-functional furniture
Choosing multi-functional furniture is a great option if you have a small play space you are creating, but also is great if your play space is large. Furniture that can double as storage for examples keeps the furniture in the area minimal and leaves more space open for play time.
Step 3: Keep frequently used items at the childs height
Keeping toys at the correct height invites children to play with their toys more often independently, sparking imaginative creativity.
Step 4: Mix open shelving with closed bins to reduce clutter
Mixing open shelving with closed storage is an organizational key to success that I incorporated into our own play space and it has been great!
Step 5: Keep the play area safe
Most importantly, be sure to incorporate soft play items such as rugs and foam mats to keep the play area safe. Ensure all outlets have plugs and that nothing breakable is within the area.
Step 6: Leave open space
Finally, be sure to leave open space within the play room for play and mess! Be sure to not overfull the room.
Playroom decor ideas
Below are some of the things that I have incorporated into our own playspace at home. Weekly or bi-weekly, I rotate they below items
Kids Play Table and chairs
A kids play table & chairs is a great start when adding items to your playroom. The table can be used for anything and everything play focused from art time to independent play such as doing a puzzle.
Sensory Table
A sensory table is great to have in your play area if you have space. These can be themed based on what your child is learning or even a book you are currently reading. New to sensory bins? I have made a list of sensory bin must haves as well as easy sensory bin ideas in previous blog posts, and also have some sensory bin activities for sale on my etsy shop, Shop Wanderbloom.
Play Kitchen
Our play kitchen is one of the most played with toys in our place space! We have a play kitchen filled with play food and accessories, such as a play smoothie machine, that inspire hours of imaginative play. My daughters loves to make mommy and daddy “lunch” in her play kitchen and serve us at her little table.
Play food storage area
If you have a play kitchen, considering having a way to organize all of your play food too. Play food can easily become very cluttered and organized, so I have found that keeping it all in storage bins keeps the area clean.
Foam Pit
When our daughter was about 1, she was gifted a foam pit! Although she does not use it nearly as much anymore, it has been in our playroom for years and was always played with. A foam pit filled with balls is a great playroom addition and especially helpful in the day that your little has additional energy.
Art Cart
We found this art cart at Walmart when we moved and love it! It stores all of our art supplies including construction paper, glue, scissors, stickers, markers, crayons and of course coloring books. It is also on wheels so we are able to move it around.
Versitle storage
One thing that was a must when decorating & designing our playroom was versatile storage. Since I rotate toys to ensure they are all played with, having a combination of open and closed shelf storage was a must, as well as easy accessibility. We landed on getting a Billy bookcase shelving unit from Ikea and like it so much. So many people that have come over ask if it’s built-ins and they are great for storing a lot of things but don’t take up too much space.
Dress up station
We are officially in our dress up era! I bought a kids toddler clothing rack and filled it with toddler dresses and other imaginative play items. The bottom shelf holds dress up shoes and accessories such as princess crowns. So cute!
Reading nook with bookcase
A bookcase is a must have for any playroom, especially if you have a child that likes to read. We opted for a small one from Amazon that was easy for our daughter to get books in & out of on her own.
Wall decals
Make your playroom even more fun by doing some fun art on the walls. If you are not up for painting, wall decals are a great option that I have done before.They are easy to stick to wall, instantly updating a room but are often also easy to remove, making them a flexible decor choice! If you are feeling brave, paint is also a good idea. I shared how I created an accent wall in a past playroom on my blog post, DIY playroom accent wall.
Art Easel
Do your kids like to create art? If so, an art easel is a great playroom addition! You can find kids art easels at all different price points, from Amazon to even really nice, heirloom ones from Pottery Barn.
Stuffed animal storage
Having a designated place to store stuffed animals is a great way to keep them organized and out of the way when not in use.
Puzzles
Puzzles & Magnatiles are some of our favorite toys to play with! Not only are puzzles great to get the mind thinking and can be challenging, but magnates are great for open ended play and creativity!
Playcouch
A play couch is another great decor item to have in a playroom! I love to sit on ours and read books to our daughter during play time and she loves to also play on it with her stuffed animals.
Art Display area
A place to store art in the playroom adds decor & also displays your littles art, making them proud! We have a colorful bulletin board in our room that I rotate art on, but you could also get frames that are easy to change.
Soft flooring
Soft flooring is a must to keep a playroom safe for little ones! We got a House of Noa playmat and love it. Not only does it look great, but it’s also very easy to keep clean.
Open ended toys
Open ended toys such as wooden blocks & pretend play items are great to teach independent play as well as be creative.
Music player & instruments
If you have a little one that likes music, an item like a tonie is a great thing to have in a playroom! We love ours and have so many tonies that I rotate them out so they are all played with.
Portable Play storage
Don’t have a designated play area? That’s okay! Inspire play throughout your home by having things that make it easy to bring toys around your house and living room, such as a book caddy for books and a small storage bin that can be carried for larger items.
I hope this gave you some ideas for your playroom that you are making, now or even in the future!
XO,
B
