The Ultimate Playroom Design Guide
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Create a play space in which your kids can laugh, touch, build, climb, learn, and make memories! Keep reading to discover the bestselling sensory toys, cozy furniture, and boho decor at reasonable prices.
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Have you ever scrolled through your social media feeds and seen the most magical playroom and thought, "My kids would love this, but I could never create something as cool as this."
I’ve thought the same thing before. Surely only design experts or wealthy parents could create such a dream play place. That was until I was gifted a cute alphabet tapestry with the tags still on it. After seeing how affordably priced it was I felt inspired to shop around for more kiddie decorations. I soon realized how reasonably many kids’ items are priced and how easy it is to attain that boho playroom look. The key is to approach your play-space design process systematically.
In this blog post I will share the 4 design steps to achieve a beautiful and functional modern playroom (at an affordable price).The 4 key steps are:
Wall & Floor Decor: decals, wall art, rugs, and more
Toy Storage: baskets, bins, shelves, and organizers
Kid-Friendly Furniture: craft tables, sofas, floor pillows, etc.
Toys & Activities: pretend-play, sensory toys, swings, ball pits, and more
Continue reading to begin your playroom transformation. You can do this, Mom!
“Play is the work of a child.”
One. Wall Art & Floors
First, decide on and decorate the walls and floors to set the tone and inspiration for the room. Do you want to use decals, framed art, tapestries, or all of the above? Pick out one or two large focal decorations and many smaller ones to create an aesthetically pleasing look.
I like having a good mix of educational artwork and fun designs.
Next, choose a cute rug or two, especially if you plan on having a cozy reading corner!
I suggest putting a play mat in areas that might get messy (e.g., the craft table or snack area) because they are easy to wipe down.
“Children don’t say - I had a hard day. Can we talk? They say - Will you play with me?”
Two. Storage & Organization
Next, choose what types of storage solutions you will need. Perhaps the most satisfying part of designing a room from a mom’s perspective is the organization.
Think about what items you’ll have in your playroom. Do you need bookshelves?
Do your kids like toys with lots of small pieces? You might need a lot of toy storage bins.
What about dress-up or pretend play? Would you like to use hooks or a dress-up clothing rack?
Don’t forget to get a few cute baskets too!
“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”
Three. Kiddie Furniture & Pillows
It’s time to pick out playroom furniture to add coziness and function to your space. Think about the different “areas” you’d like to create.
Here are a few suggestions:
a reading nook
a calming corner (learn more about that here)
a pretend play kitchen and dining space
a craft area
a snacking zone
Next, browse my shopping guide and furnish the areas of your play space.
“Playtime is a child’s science lab...their time to create, experiment, and learn.”
Four. Toys, Pretend Play, & Dress-Up
Now for the fun part! Time to the fundamental aspect of a play space…toys!The options are infinite, and that can feel a bit overwhelming. I suggest you think about these toy categories and make sure you grab a few toys from each one.
Remember, you don’t have to buy all your toys at once; it’s better to collect them over time.
A well-rounded playroom
Learning toys (puzzles, stem toys, science kits)
Sensory toys (textures, chew toys, slime)
Pretend play (play kitchen, workbench, cleaning tools)
Dress-up (doctor, chef, dragon, princess)
Role play (dolls, stuffed animals, dollhouses)
Gym (climbing toys, tunnels, foam mats)
Hideouts (tents, clubhouses, ball pits)
“Toys are children’s words, and play is their language.”
Happy decorating, Mama!
You don’t need a huge budget to have nice, pretty things for your family. Take your time transforming your play space, get creative, and try to enjoy the process as much as possible!
View my entire boho-chic playroom on a budget shopping guide here.
