Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Home
  3. How to Create a Fun and Functional Playroom for Your Children

How to Create a Fun and Functional Playroom for Your Children

Caroline Biggs, Freelance Writer portrait
By Caroline Biggs July 09, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
blue dormer playroom with window seat
Credit: Jane Beiles
We're sharing expert advice for designing an exceptional play space that your little ones will love.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
blue dormer playroom with window seat
Credit: Jane Beiles

A well-designed playroom does more than just provide your kids with a safe space to horse around in—it should engage and inspire them, too. "A playroom is for both children and adults to enjoy," says Denise Davies, CEO and founder of D2 Interieurs. "You don't have to sacrifice style in order to have a functional play space." Karri Bowen-Poole, the founder of Smart Playrooms and someone who regularly collaborates with Davies to design both commercial and residential spaces for kids, adds, "A well-designed playroom needs to be able to grow with the kids but also appeal to them in the present. That's why it's important to keep the space gender neutral and appealing to kids of all ages."

So, what elements constitute a fun but functional play space? For starters, Bowen-Poole says you'll want to make sure there's "lots of comfortable floor space, ideally cushioned with a soft, flat weave rug or carpet tiles, so your kids have plenty of room to safely roam and play." Once you've padded the playroom floor, you can get creative by layering in colorful (and durable) furnishings, interactive toys, and sensory-rich nooks. "Really think about how your child will use the room and create specific zones throughout the space," Davie explains. "Have a space for arts and crafts, a zone for building blocks, a physical play area, and one for pretend play."

Both of our experts also stress the value of refraining from decorating around trends and themes, such as cartoons and movie characters. "Themes are dated and outgrown quickly," says Davies. "We like to design spaces that kids can grow into. Opt for furniture and indoor-outdoor fabrics that can be recovered (or replaced) easily, like peel and stick wallpaper and bean bag chairs."

No matter what design style you choose, remember what this space is meant to do: inspire the imagination of your children, says Davies. "The goal is to use design elements, like colors, shapes, and textures, to create a stimulating space that children will want to keep coming back to," she adds. If you're not sure how to do just that, read on for a few our best tips for designing a playroom that's functional, inspiring, and brimming with style.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Play Rug

romy reversible play rug from ruggish
Credit: Courtesy of Ruggish

Don't let the good looks of this sleek area rug fool you. Designed with plush memory foam, you can flip the double-sided rug over to reveal an interactive play map on the underside.

Ruggish "Romy" Play Rug, $199,

ruggishco.com

.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Kids' Chair

gray malin x cloth company kids chair
Credit: One Kings Lane

No playroom would be complete with a comfy kid-sized chair to kick back in. We love the whimsical print on this one.

Gray Malin x Cloth Company Balloon Bouquet Kids' Chair, $365,

onekingslane.com

.

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hopscotch Rug

ikea kids hemmahos hopscotch rug
Credit: Courtesy of Ikea

Comfortable floor space is key to creating a successful playroom. Soften up the floors in your children's play area by adding this hopscotch-inspired rug. Not only does it look good, but it also helps your child develop motor and balancing skills.

IKEA "Hemmahos" Rug, $25,

ikea.com

.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Adjustable Toy Organizer

kids toy storage organizer with bins
Credit: Courtesy of Snail & Crab
How to Get Kids Excited About Organization

"Functional storage furniture is a must for any playroom," says Bowen-Poole. This eye-catching toy organizer boasts open cubbies so kids can stash stuff away quickly—no excuses!—and in style.

Snail & Crab Kids' Toy Storage Organizer, $50.99,

snailandcrab.com

.

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Activity Table

grow with me convertible desk table
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

"When kids are immersed in arts and crafts or playing a game, they need lots of room to be able to gather their materials," says Bowen-Poole. This convertible kids table provides plenty of surface space for spreading out supplies. We like that it includes two sets of legs so that it can grow with your child.

Delta Children "Grow with Me" Convertible Kids Play Table, $139.99,

amazon.com

.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lego Wall

wood designs lego wall
Credit: Courtesy of Wood Designs

Bowen-Poole, a grade-school teacher-slash-designer, suggests mounting wall activity boards, like this one, to promote literacy-rich learning opportunities around a playroom.

Wood Designs Lego Wall, $204,

wooddesigns.com

.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

World Map Decal

alloway world peel-and-stick wall mural
Credit: Wayfair

Removable wall decals are ripe with interactive design opportunity for a playroom. This peel-and-stick wall mural features a giant map of the world marked with animals and icons so kids can explore different types of wildlife across the globe.

Harriet Bee "Where In the World" Peel and Stick Wall Mural, $153.99,

wayfair.com

.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Toy Storage Cart

kids craft and toy storage rolling cart
Credit: Courtesy of The Container Store

"One of the key elements to keeping kids interested in the playroom is occasionally switching up the layout, which may mean having to move storage furniture to a different area of the room," says Bowen-Poole. This wheeled cart comes with removable handled trays so you can move toys around with ease.

The Container Store Kids' Craft & Toy Storage Cart & Accessories, $68.94,

containerstore.com

.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bean Bag Chair

small vinyl yellow bean bag chair
Credit: Courtesy of Target

Snug seating is crucial in a comfortable playroom. Turn an empty playroom corner into a bonafide reading nook by pairing a colorful vinyl bean bag chair with a bookcase.

Target Small Vinyl Bean Bag Chair, $34.99,

target.com

.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Photo Ledges

nex wall-mounted picture ledge shelves
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Even storage can make a stylish statement in a playroom. Install a few of these floating picture ledges on an empty wall to display everything from books to toys in a gallery-style format.

NEX Floating Shelves Wall Mounted Shelf Picture Ledges, $27.99,

amazon.com

.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Play Kitchen

milton and goose essential play kitchen
Credit: Courtesy of Milton & Goose

Pretend play gets a sophisticated upgrade in the form of an elevated kids kitchen. We like that this one, which is made from sustainable birch and maple wood, has turning knobs and storage cabinets will keep the kids engaged for hours.

Milton & Goose Essential Play Kitchen, $649,

miltonandgoose.com

.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Adaptive Climbing Wall

flaghouse adaptive kids climbing wall
Credit: Courtesy of FlagHouse

Consider this climbing wall the Rolls Royce of playroom accessories. Designed with grab-bar handholds and ledge-style footholds, this fun toy strengthens motor skills and promotes inclusive play.

Flaghouse Adaptive Climbing Wall, $1,669.

flaghouse.com

.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Caroline Biggs

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13
    2 of 13 Play Rug
    3 of 13 Kids' Chair
    4 of 13 Hopscotch Rug
    5 of 13 Adjustable Toy Organizer
    6 of 13 Activity Table
    7 of 13 Lego Wall
    8 of 13 World Map Decal
    9 of 13 Toy Storage Cart
    10 of 13 Bean Bag Chair
    11 of 13 Photo Ledges
    12 of 13 Play Kitchen
    13 of 13 Adaptive Climbing Wall

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    How to Create a Fun and Functional Playroom for Your Children
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.