Kids Design Ideas: 8 Ways to Make Your Living Room a Playroom
For families with young children, the living room is usually the busiest space in the home; you use it equally for lounging, watching TV, and often as a playroom for the kiddos. As you might imagine, when your living room becomes your playroom, things can easily start to feel pretty crowded and even cluttered.
It’s no wonder that customers frequently ask for ideas on how to incorporate a play area for kids in their living rooms. To help, we gathered 8 of our favorite ideas on creating a kids playroom within your living area.
1. Delineate With a Rug
Add a colorful rug as a way to “zone” a kid’s playroom and create some visual separation from the main living space. It’s a quick and easy update that everyone can immediately get on board with. Opt for a sturdy area rug that can stand up to lots of stomping and toy cars.
2. Dedicate a Storage Spot
Some spaces might be better suited to a play corner rather than a playroom. If this sounds like your home, try tucking a storage bench into a corner that’s solely for your kids’ toys. Pull in a pouf and you’ll have a simple play corner set up just for them! It’s a great way to minimize clutter and contain messes since everything can be stowed away quickly and neatly.
For an added bonus, you can repurpose the bench in a new area in your home once the kids outgrow their toys.
3. Carve Out a Cushy Corner
Little nooks in your space, such as a tricky-shaped landing at the top of your stairs, are perfect places for setting up a kids’ corner.
Plop down a few beanbag chairs and poufs, along with a small table and some storage, to create a cozy playroom that’s perfect for storytime as well as games.
4. Create a Low-Furniture Nook
There are endless options for kids furniture out there, but no need to stick to pint-size pieces when creating your playroom.
Low-profile pieces, such as poufs and ottomans are great seating options for a play area – they’re small enough for kids and pair nicely with child-sized tables. They also make great perches and footstools for adults, so they’ll be sure to get plenty of use.
5. Play Up a Colorful Alcove
If your living space is equipped with a recessed wall area, turn it into a colorful play corner that appeals to your kids in a big, bright way.
Think a vibrant sofa with fun pillows and patterns, along with a charming rug. This is a great way to put an awkward corner to use in a living space and incorporate fun colors that aren’t elsewhere in your home.
6. Tuck it to the Side
Carve out a special, playroom nook by pulling your sofa away from the wall and using either the side or the back to divide the space. This gives the kids a designated area to play while grownups can watch over from nearby.
Stylists Tip: For a great multipurpose piece, try a couple of inexpensive coffee tables in place of a kids-table. They look nice and often last longer, so you can repurpose them easily once the play area is no longer needed.
7. Dream Up the Ultimate Playroom
If you have a larger living space, consider converting one end of the room into a full-on play area for your kids.
This approach is all about going big. Bring in a fort, mini kitchen, and a kid-sized table and chairs to create a space they can call their own. Make sure to consider durable fabrics that can stand up to lots of romping, rolling and any occasional spills!
8. Design a Kid-Friendly Office
Need a place to work and keep an eye on the children? Set up a mini play corner in your home office or even work office if you have the space. Pull in a few ottomans or poufs and a low table for your kids to crayon, play with puzzles, or read. Add a shaggy sheepskin to cozy up the spot!
I was looking for a sofa for a playroom and I saw an old post where you had a bright orange/reddish sofa – i know it’s a long shot but just wondering if you know the vendor.
It’s from Joybird. We also have a similar item available from our in house line Ravine Home https://www.ravinehome.com/
Hi, Great post. Where is the center table from, the one is picture #8.
Where is the egg chair from??
Pottery Barn Kids!
Hi, great styles! Where is the rug in #7 from? Really love it!
Hi Cheena – The rug was from Land of Nod which is now Crate & Kids. Happy styling!
I love the little table and stools in #7, where are they from? You should have given links for everything because they’re all great looking.
Hi Anya, thanks for reaching out and yes linking to more products is something we are working on adding! Here is the link to the little table and stools. Happy styling!
Where can I find the bean bag chairs in your Cushy Corner photo?
Hi Sharika, thanks for asking! It’s the adjustable bean bag chair from Crate & Kids, you can check it out here or see it in your space (and shop it with exclusive discounts) through Modsy. Happy styling
Where is the small white table from in design 4? And the adorable white poufs!
Hi Leilani – thanks for asking! The poufs are from CB2 (peek them here) and the coffee table is from The Mine. You can see + shop both pieces in your space with Modsy!
Where is the rug in the small furniture picture from?
Hi Margo! It’s the Monaco Vintage rug from Safavieh. You can check it out here.
Good Post.!
Really amazing designs, Worth to visited to have a look these such a amazing designs…
Thanks for your efforts for sharing these designs.!
What is the white shelving with storage in #5?
Hi Joel! It’s the Pink Flamingos Rug from Anthropologie. Happy styling!