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These designer-inspired ideas will help you tap into your inner child too.
One of the joys of being an adult is designing your home exactly how you want... as your budget allows, of course. If you have kids, you have the unique opportunity to dream up playroom ideas that you would have adored as a child. There are a few secrets to crafting a playroom that both you and your kids will love: Make sure it contains plenty of smart storage solutions (for their LEGOs and other toys), keep the design flexible enough to grow with your child, and be as imaginative as you can be.
From indoor climbing walls to craft stations and rainbow-themed rooms, the following playroom ideas will help you tap into your inner child while giving your own kids the ultimate fun space at home. These ideas will ensure the room is enjoyable, practical, and adaptable. Read on to discover 35 designer tips that'll help you solve the problem of overflowing toys and create a playroom that matures with your kids, offering endless joy for years to come.
If your kids have (reasonable!) design requests for their playroom, making them come true will give them the space of their dreams. In this animal-accented playroom, designer Ariel Okin says that the kids “really wanted a swinging chair,” so she added one.
Add playfulness to the room by choosing a fun, patterned floor. The team at Becca Interiors chose this white, black, and burnt orange carpet for the playroom in this Connecticut home, giving the space a bit more life and vibrancy.
A Dutch door is a playroom idea that bridges the gap between whimsical and practical. It encloses the space while letting you quickly peek in if needed. The team at Curated Nest chose to do so in this upstate New York home, and it matches the rest of the aesthetic perfectly.
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In the same home as above, Curated Nest installed this custom climbing wall in the basement. “The kids are very active and wanted a space for friends to enjoy, so we created this custom climbing wall with a hand-painted mural,” Lina Galvão from Curated Nest explains.
Related Story: What to Know about Building a Rock-Climbing Wall in Your Home
Yes, the playroom in your home should appeal to the little ones, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your entire aesthetic. Designer Annie Kern did not shy away from the rich tones and textures that make up the rest of the house in this playroom idea.
Combine a playroom and bunk room for the ultimate sleepover space. Designer Becca Casey added built-in shelves and a window seat to this moody space. Plus, there are three separate beds so the kids can have plenty of overnight playdates.
Related Story: How to Build the Ultimate Bunk Room, According to Designers
A hand-painted mural is the stuff of playroom dreams—it will encourage imaginative play and give your children the fondest memories of growing up in such a beautiful space. In this home, designer Tina Ramchandani used a ceiling mural to add color without feeling chaotic.
As your kids get older and their interests change, their personal space should evolve too. What was once a playroom covered in stuffed animals may become a pint-sized workspace for arts and crafts. Designer Marika Meyer says that this colorful, inspiring craft room might just be her favorite in the entire project.
Decorate the kids-only space with art that they've done themselves. Do what designer Ashley Gilbreath did in this playroom idea and showcase their artwork in custom frames—it'll make your children feel so special to see their work on display.
As designer Emily Henderson points out, kids outgrow things quickly—what they love today, they could be bored of tomorrow. “Keep large pieces neutral,” she says. “It's easier and more affordable to layer on pops of color and your kids' favorite characters or animals than it is to implement those motifs into the furniture and rugs.”
Implement traditional patterns and elegant materials when figuring out your playroom ideas—it doesn't have to be all neon and bright colors. Designer Becca Casey added a beautiful toile print wallpaper and rattan accents to this room that will only get better with time.
Related Story: Toile de Jouy: The Famous French Pattern’s History and Enduring Appeal
If your home has a small, awkwardly sized space, put the playroom in there. This reading nook in a boy's room by Benni Amadi was designed to feel like an indoor tree fort. Utilizing as much square footage in the house as possible and having fun with it was key.
Related Story: 12 Closet Remodeling Projects That Will Transform Your Space
Teach your kids early on about the importance of separating work and home life by designing a little study area for them in their playroom. As they grow older and start working on homework after school, their desk space can mature with them, like in this space by Marika Meyer.
Create an indoor playground for your little ones, complete with swings, monkey bars, rock climbing walls, and hanging ladders. This Marika Meyer-designed space offers a great solution for rainy days or harsh winters when kids don't want to play outside.
Don't shy away from layering loud patterns, especially when it comes to playroom ideas. Designer Yancey Seibert Shearouse added so much simply by choosing a more maximalist style and doubling down on the vibrant prints.
Designed by Dane Austin, this playroom in a modern home is extra playful and kid-friendly, but it also stays true to the overall design objective throughout the home. “It was very important to the homeowners that we stay true to the home’s natural wooded surroundings,” Austin says—so there are plenty of earthy materials throughout. With clever storage cubbies, a modern crafting table, and striking artwork, everyone will be happy!
Place a pretty clothing rack in the playroom to keep dress-up costumes and props organized. This way, they'll be just as easy to put away as they are to pick out. We're loving how April Tomlin added little house structures to make games even more immersive.
There's just something therapeutic about making a mess, isn't there? This playroom designed by Kiki Slaughter includes drapes that enhance privacy and provide a very exciting canvas for scribbles.
The curtained stage in this playroom idea, designed by Phillip Sides, adds drama to everything from guitar practice to spontaneous productions. If your kids love music and the performing arts, consider setting up a similar space that can double as a rehearsal and performance arena (those curtains and wall-to-wall carpeting help absorb noise for a makeshift “soundproof” room.
Instead of putting a mattress down on the lower bunk platform, design firm Marsh & Sea turned it into a dedicated play zone. The warm wood and crisp white paint create a solid foundation, and though each piece feels kid-friendly, it proves that even the tiniest of spaces can still make room for playtime.
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