Play is what being a kid is all about. By creating a fun and functional child playroom we give our kids the best foundation there is. Sure there may be other rooms in the house where your children hang out to watch TV, play on the computer or play a board game with the rest of the family but none compares to the value of having an actual child playroom.
Having a room where imagination fuels the play is where it's at. Child playrooms are all about giving your children the space and the equipment needed to inspire play. All children need is imagination and a child playroom to be creative in.
When it comes to creating a fun and functional child playroom it's important to consider your child's natural tendencies. What type of play does your child enjoy the most - is it arts and crafts, building forts, dramatic play, creating tall skyscrapers out of building blocks etc.?
Get input from the whole family regarding room design and set-up. Although it's important to accommodate current interests and activities a wise parent also plans the space for future use. This is where it's important to include adjustable shelving and incorporate lots of flat surfaces for future projects. A 5 year old will use a playroom very different from how a 10 year old would use it.
For more ideas on designing and decorating child playrooms visit http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net/decorating-child-play-room-decor-ideas.html
For a versatile child playroom and one that grows with your children keep the permanent elements in the room like tables, chairs and wall units basic. That's the functional part.
The fun part comes in how you bring the room together with decorative accessories like fashionable slipcovers, wall decals, posters, and funky storage bins.
No matter their age, kids are natural magnets for stuff. Open shelving with lots of bins is often best way to go as it provides storage flexibility for now and in the future. Your shelving unit for the next few years may house a collection of storage bins filled to the brim with stuffed animals and building blocks and may later be replaced by books, board games and DVDs. As children get older many of them also like to display their collections of things. This is where open shelving comes in really handy.
If on the other hand, you prefer out of sight, out of mind storage when the kids aren't actively using their playroom you may wish to consider armoires or storage cupboards to keep everything behind closed doors. It's all a matter preference and what type of playroom you wish to create for your children.
Either way if you opt for open or closed storage you will want to make sure that any shelving units, storage cupboards or armoires are secured to the wall with toggle bolts and brackets.
Following are some creative ways to add a little fun to a functional child playroom space.
*In the craft area paint the chairs in different colors.
*Create a cushion floor using large multi-colored rubber puzzle pieces.
*Use a bulletin board for displaying artwork and posting special activity reminders.
*Turn baby wipe containers into great storage boxes for small craft supplies.
*For a great storage unit paint an old table and cover the sides with fabric to hide roll out storage containers of craft supplies.
*Revitalize old metal shelves with a little spray paint.
*Purchase unfinished shelves and paint them to match the room.
*To protect little fingers and bruises from hard edges consider padding your child's toy box with quilt batting and fabric that matches the rooms décor.
*Create handy little cubbies by installing a few wooden shelving boxes here and there.
*Since kids love to play in enclosures consider purchasing a lightweight nylon tent, or making one yourself in a fabric that co-ordinates with the room. Another great idea would be to add some nylon crawl though tubes and cardboard house than can by decorated by your kids using paints or markets. Catalogues and magazines are a great source for ideas that you can adapt and craft yourself.
