Playrooms give young children opportunities to have fun, relax, and be creative. They also confine clutter and provide an excellent environment for learning how to be organized.
Large or small, a playroom needs to offer a place for quiet activities – such as curling up with a book – as well noisy pursuits, including lively card and board games. It should provide efficient storage for a broad range of materials from art supplies to a zoo of stuffed animals. Below are some ideas that you can use to create a playroom that fosters both organization and creativity.
Design the Room to Age
Time passes quickly. What starts as a toddler’s playroom may someday transform into a teen hangout. Keeping the walls and flooring simple allows a room to age more easily as kids grow. For splashes of color, add lively curtains and decorate with your children’s art.
Divide the Space into Zones
For young children, divide the playroom into zones serving different purposes. A window seat or alcove can act as a place to curl up and read a book. A desk equipped with shelves and drawers might serve as a station for puzzles, board games, writing supplies, and crayons. A work counter for messy art projects can be situated in a separate area complete with built-in supply cabinets.
Select Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
Choose materials that are easy to clean, such as durable laminate tabletops, requiring only soap and water. This makes it easy for your children to help you clean up and can even prep your kids for going to school.
Place Storage Within Reach
When adding shelves and cupboards to a storage closet, make sure they reach from the floor to the ceiling. Place supplies within easy reach of children based on their age. Keep scissors, paint, and other supplies that required adult supervision out of reach.
Label Bins, Drawers & Shelves
Clear storage containers help children find what they need. Well-labeled bins, drawers, and shelves can also help with this. Labeling helps children and adults remember where to put away toys and other items. Labels should include pictures as well as words to help pre-readers and children with special needs. For example, bins for building blocks and bricks can be divided by color with each bin label containing the word and picture of its contents.
A Corral for Stuffed Buddies
From early childhood through elementary school, many children collect stuffed animals. Turn a shelf or cabinet into a corral by using bins and baskets. When your child grows out of them, the shelves and bins can then be used for other toys or supplies.
Add an Element of Whimsy
Nowadays, some parents apply chalkboard paint to the walls of playrooms to help unleash their kids’ creativity. Try adding wallpaper or paint a mural to add an extra touch of whimsy and color to your playroom.
Children love whimsy, but they also love order. At Closet & Storage Concepts here in Boston, we’re happy to help you create a playroom that meets both of these needs. Take advantage of our free in-home estimates to get organized today!