23 Playroom Ideas That Will Grow With Your Kids

It’s time to embrace your inner child with 23 playroom ideas that’ll inspire little ones to let loose and get creative in a space that’s all theirs. But let’s be honest, dedicating a room to play is also beneficial for the parents (anyone who’s experienced a barefoot encounter with a stray LEGO piece will understand). Imagine banishing stuffed animals from the living room, corralling all the toy cars outside the main bedroom, and finally finding a place for that play kitchen that isn’t your actual kitchen. These kids’ decorating ideas from the pros—complete with storage solutions—will make the whole family happy.

What does a playroom need?

“Playrooms need a giant dose of fun,” says interior designer Raili Clasen of Raili CA Design, based in Newport Beach, California. Clasen knows a thing or two about light-hearted and lively design. Her book, Surf Style at Home, is loaded with fun-loving inspiration (including some of the ideas below). As for how to infuse a playroom with fun, Clasen recommends adding a mural, colorful art and kids’ furniture, or a giant slogan painted across a wall. Playrooms should also have plenty of storage (more on this below), comfy seating, and low shelving that’s accessible to little ones.

How do you create a cozy playroom?

“Thick, plush rugs and ultra-comfy chairs are a great way to soften the senses,” says Clasen. “Multiple textures in fabrics and pillows invite guests in for a cozy hangout space.” If your kids’ room isn’t big enough for a couch or lounge chairs, consider bean bag chairs or even oversized pillows arranged in a corner to create a comfy reading or drawing nook.

How do you decorate a small playroom?

A diminutive den needs a little more direction than a larger space. Clasen says, “For small playrooms, I would narrow down the use and keep it simple. For instance, maybe you want a place to do art, so hang canvases along the wall and place a small table and chairs smack dab in the middle.” Chalkboard paint also makes good use of your space, turning the walls into scribble-safe surfaces. Or, if your youngsters would prefer a gaming zone, skip the table altogether and any bins of toys (those can go in your kids’ rooms), and go with only a loveseat and screen. Multifunctional furniture is also key, so pick a loveseat that doubles as a pullout for sleepovers.

How do you maximize storage in a playroom?

In a tactic you’ll see in a number of the following playroom ideas, Clasen is a fan of keeping the storage to your room’s perimeter. She says, “I would select one wall in the room and install storage cabinets, or even better yet, school lockers the entire length of the wall. That leaves the rest of the room for all the different play zones.” Baskets filled with toys can be placed on bookshelves, and shallow storage bins (like the ones used for under-bed storage) can slide beneath a couch. Other storage ideas include investing in a storage system with individual bins that slide into cubbies or onto open shelving. Making storage accessible helps kids learn to clean up and organize their toys.

How do you carve out a playroom within a larger space?

“For large living areas that need a small play ‘room’ I would make sure that area blends into the living space,” says Clasen. “This might not be a spot to go wild with color if your adjacent rooms are neutral. If you are not adding walls, trees make great screens that act just like walls do.” In addition to potted plants, an area rug or a piece of art can help differentiate a kid zone from the larger room, whether it’s a living room, kitchen, or basement. A painted accent wall or wall decal can also do the job, but as Raili mentions, make sure your colors don’t clash.

How do you design a playroom to grow with your kids?

“Design your playroom like a living room first, then layer in play zones,” advises Christina Cruz of Christina Cruz Interiors, an AD PRO member in Austin, Texas. “Think tailored upholstery, real-wood tables that last, and architectural lighting to add various moods.” From there, layer in toys and books that can be shed naturally over time as interests change. A smart kids’ room should be able to evolve “from imaginative play to homework, games, and a teen hangout without needing a full redesign,” says Michelle Palmer Murphy of Demi Ryan in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Amy Storm of Amy Storm & Company, an AD PRO Directory member based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, agrees. “Preplanning for future TV’s, computer power, potential desk locations, and seating arrangements is essential for setting up the space for a successful and easy conversion,” she says.

As for the ideal TV that’ll grow with your kids (since, if you have one, it’s likely the most expensive piece in the room), JT Austin, a technology manager at Sony, recommends one that’s intuitive enough for young kids to use without getting frustrated, has straightforward parental controls, and seamlessly pairs with gaming consoles for older kids. His pick? “The Sony Bravia 5 features dedicated Google TV kids’ profiles where you can set daily limits, monitor activity, and manage apps and restrict content,” he says. Plus for gamers, “[it] has exclusive features that automatically optimize brightness and color to reveal the full cinematic potential of PlayStation 5 games.”