Play is an essential part of childhood, so why not create a space in your home dedicated to it? A playroom can also help you keep toys and kids’ activities organized in your home so you can avoid toys cropping up in the living room, bedrooms and other areas. If you’re ready to create a playroom in your home, we have some kids’ playroom ideas to help you design a space that works for your family and lets kids enjoy the wonder of childhood.

Practical Considerations for Playrooms

Let’s start with some practical considerations that can help you set up your playroom to be kid-friendly and functional in your home. Consider these playroom setup ideas:

1. Install Hardwearing Flooring

The foot traffic in a playroom can put your flooring’s wearability to the test. Activities like art projects and snack time mean you need flooring that’s easy to clean. Consider these flooring types:

  • Carpet tiles: Carpet has the advantage of being soft and inviting for kids playing on the floor. Since carpet tends to be prone to stains and wear, consider carpet tiles instead of sheets. This way, you can simply remove worn or stained tiles as needed and replace them while leaving the other tiles in place.
  • Laminate and hardwood: Hard flooring options have the advantage of being more hypoallergenic and easier to clean. All it takes is a broom and mop to have the floor sparkling. Laminate is more resistant to scratches compared to real hardwood. However, you can refinish hardwood as needed to restore it.
  • Rubber flooring: Rubber floors aren’t just for the gym — they’re also a great option for playrooms, especially for kids who want to do some tumbling on the floor. In addition to offering some shock absorption, these floors are also easy to clean.
  • Area rugs: Regardless of what flooring type you have in your playroom, you can add an area rug to protect your floor underneath and spruce up the room’s design. Area rugs come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns to fit any playroom. For extra durability, consider an indoor/outdoor rug.

2. Opt for Washable Fabrics

Any upholstered items in the playroom should feature washable fabrics. You don’t want a spilled drink or a stray paint splatter from an art project to spell disaster. Instead, you should be able to spot-treat sofas and chairs and toss throw pillows into the washer as needed. Leather is a nice choice since you can wipe it down easily. Microfiber and wool are also good choices since they can stand up to spot cleaning.

3. Choose Easy-to-Clean Paint

Little hands can leave plenty of smudges on the wall, so make sure you choose wall and trim paint that is durable and easy to clean. There are two things to consider here — quality and finish. Opt for high-quality paint in an eggshell, satin or semi-gloss finish. The glossier the paint, the more durable and easier it will be to wipe down, so it’s best not to choose flat or matte finishes in a playroom.

Wallpaper is likely also a poor choice unless it’s a glossy material that you can clean. Another option is to install wainscotting on the lower half of the walls and paper the upper portion. This can be a good option when you want to bring fun patterns and designs to your walls.

4. Stick to Durable Fixtures

As you purchase fixtures and decorations for your playroom, factor in how sturdy these items will be. The same principle applies to the toys that go in your playroom. It’s best if a piece of artwork or a lamp getting knocked down leads to nothing more than putting the object back in its place. A wall hanging that might shatter, or a ceramic lamp that may break are not the best options, particularly for small children.

5. Add Window Films for Privacy and Protection

Another great way you can add some practical value to your playroom is by installing home window films. Residential window films come with a variety of benefits, including:

  • Solar control: Solar films can filter out UV rays, making the playroom safer for kids. Protecting kids from UV light is crucial since UV exposure during childhood can contribute to skin cancer later in life. These films also increase privacy and can make the bright colors in your playroom less prone to fading.
  • Safety and security: Security films can protect your playroom against hazards like storms and break-ins by helping hold glass together even when it breaks from impact. By holding the glass together, you avoid the dangerous and damaging effects of shattered glass on the floor and an opening to the outside.
  • Decoration and privacy: Window films can also be decorative. In addition to installing decorative films on windows, consider adding them to a glass wall or french doors to the playroom to provide some privacy and separation from the rest of your home while still letting in plenty of light.

Choosing the Right Wall Decor

In all likelihood, the floor of your child’s playroom will be full of their favorite toys, but what about the walls? This is where you can have some fun with some creative decor choices that really bring the room to life. Consider these playroom decoration ideas that will enhance the room’s walls.

1. Design Around a Theme

An eclectic design aesthetic is certainly well suited to a playroom. However, you may find it easier to pick out decor if you choose a cohesive theme. Consider drawing inspiration from your child’s favorite things or their personality. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few fun themes to consider:

  • Dinosaurs
  • Outer space
  • Comic book superheroes
  • Safari or zoo animals
  • Mountain lodge
  • Transportation or race cars
  • Fairy garden
  • Boho chic

Look online for more playroom decor ideas, or ask your child for some ideas. Coming up with a theme together can be a fun, collaborative activity.

2. Opt for Bright Color Designs

It’s no secret that kids love bright colors. Even if you’ve chosen more muted colors in the rest of your home, consider bolder choices in the playroom that appeal to kids — especially if this room is closed off from the rest of your home via a solid door or frosted glass. If you want to use color in moderation, try hanging a few pieces of colorful wall decor that pop or create an accent wall painted in a brighter color than the other walls.

The reason younger children, in particular, tend to be drawn to brighter colors is a scientific one. As their eyes develop, brighter colors stand out better in their field of vision and are more inherently interesting. Even as kids get older, brighter colors can feel more stimulating. Different colors are also thought to have different emotional and cognitive effects. Opt for blues and greens, for example, for a calming effect, and yellow or orange for a joyous atmosphere.

3. Include a Chalkboard Wall

Chalkboard walls have taken off in popularity over the last decade or so, and they’re exceptionally well suited to playrooms. A chalkboard wall can be the perfect addition to your playroom if your child loves doodling or wants a fun place to practice handwriting or write out math problems. You can create a chalkboard wall by painting the wall with chalkboard paint, using chalkboard wallpaper or hanging a large chalkboard. Include some chalk in the room and let your kids’ creativity run wild.

4. Use Wall Decals for Temporary Decor

Kids’ interests frequently change along with their taste in decor. If you want to switch up your playroom decor regularly, consider going for more neutral or versatile paint colors and using wall decals to add some fun and visual interest. You can find wall decals in various designs, including fun phrases, familiar characters and natural features like flowers and trees.

Wall decals are typically made of vinyl with a clingy or adhesive back and are easily removable without damaging the wall’s paint job. This allows you to switch out decals whenever it’s time for a refresh.

Furnishing the Playroom

Choosing the furniture for your playroom is an important part of creating your ideal playroom design. Playroom furniture should be functional, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Consider including these pieces in your playroom:

  • Desk: A desk can be a great workspace for all sorts of projects, from homework to artwork. Choose a desk and accompanying chair or stool that is the appropriate size for your child.
  • Craft table: A table can also be a great work surface, especially for collaborative arts and crafts or other projects between siblings, friends or you and your child. You can also use a table for snack time, science experiments and more.
  • Bookcase: Research shows that children who grow up in book-filled homes may enjoy higher success rates academically and professionally. Include a bookcase in your playroom and fill it with books for your child to read alone or for you to read together.
  • Storage cubbies: Kids may not mind a cluttered playroom, but parents are sure to enjoy the room more when it’s tidy. Kids can start learning early how to clean up after themselves when there’s some organization in the room for them to stick to. Find some matching storage cubbies with drawers or bins where all the smaller toys, art supplies and other items can go when not in use.
  • Comfy chairs or sofa: When your child simply wants to relax for a bit or read a book, they’ll be pleased to have a comfy chair or sofa they can sink into. Beanbag chairs are a popular option with kids. Children may also enjoy miniature recliners or rocking chairs designed for them.
  • Double-duty furniture: Some furniture can play double-duty. This is a beneficial strategy when you’re working in a tight space you want to optimize. For example, you can provide a place for a sleepover guest if you choose a sofa with a pull-out bed or a daybed instead of a standard sofa. Or you could opt for a bunk bed with a built-in desk. You may also want to look for furniture that includes hidden storage.

Rounding It Out With Some Fun Features

Once you have the basics taken care of, you may want to focus on finding that extra special touch that will make the playroom your child’s favorite space. Here are a few kids’ playroom ideas that can make your playroom extra special:

  • Slide: Slides don’t have to be just for the playground outside. An indoor slide can turn your playroom into a kid’s paradise. Freestanding slides can work for toddlers and preschoolers. For older kids, you might install a larger enclosed slide that starts in an upstairs room and terminates in the playroom. Imagine how excited they’ll be to show this feature to their friends.
  • Swing: Another piece of the playground you can bring indoors is a swing. Anchor your swing into the ceiling and watch kids enjoy pumping their legs and feeling weightless.
  • Teepee: Teepees have become popular with kids since they can be the perfect spot to retreat when they want to enjoy a cozy feeling. Kids can also use their teepee for naptime, reading or to pretend like they’re camping.
  • Stage: Does your child enjoy performing? A small stage in the playroom can be the perfect spot for putting on shows for family and friends or imagining a future career as a singer, actor, magician, dancer or comedian.
  • Ball pit: A ball pit is a fun addition to a playroom for younger kids. You can purchase a ball pit that fits your desired size and design or put your own ball pit together by filling a wading pool with plastic balls.
  • Dress-up station: Dressing in costumes can be a fun way to facilitate pretend play and creativity. If your child enjoys dressing up, consider dedicating an area to dress-up. Add a floor-length mirror so kids can admire or giggle at themselves.
  • Nap corner: The playroom can be a serene place in addition to being a high-energy one. Include a nap corner complete with soft pillows and blankets so your child can enjoy some comfort and rest when they get tuckered out from playing.
  • Media wall: You can also make your playroom double as a media room by adding a flatscreen TV to the wall or a projector screen, and some surround sound speakers. Enhance any home theater or media room by adding Black Out film to the windows so kids can enjoy a great picture with minimal glare any time of day.

Enhance Your Playroom With Residential Window Film From Madico®, Inc.

As you consider these kids’ playroom design ideas, don’t forget to outfit your playroom with residential window films from Madico. Explore our residential window film product line to learn more about the various options we have available. Our window films can provide you with enhanced protection, comfort and decor in your playroom and anywhere else in your home. When you’re ready to learn more from a knowledgeable professional, locate a Madico dealer near you.