Baby + Kids
40 playroom ideas for creating a fun, modern space
From unique toys to playful decor to modern kids’ furniture, deciding what should be in a playroom in your home should be a fun process for everyone involved. You’ll want to strike a balance between style, design continuity and utility, all while catering the space to your little one’s unique interests and needs. These modern playroom ideas will help you create a play-and-hang space that inspires!
1. Think about a theme
As you look for kids’ playroom ideas, consider establishing a fun theme first. This gives you a reference point for selecting decor, colors and furniture so that you can maintain a consistent look. Try kid favorites like outer space, jungle, unicorn or a beloved character like Ada Twist.
2. Gift the gift of make-believe
For children, fun waits around every corner. So why not transform their space into an imagination station and foster screen-free play with toys that spark creativity and discovery? Inspire them with toys that will keep them unplugged while promoting creativity.
3. Create a loft play space
Lofts are technically a type of bedroom furniture, but they can also be useful in creating a play area for kids. The open space underneath is perfect for making a dedicated activity zone, while the bed at the top makes for a fun reading lounge.
4. Use lots of colors
When picking your playroom decor, consider leaving room for a wide-open palette. This doesn’t necessarily mean painting every wall a different color or changing the carpet—you could also add whimsy and color with playful accents.
5. Don’t forget the books
If you really want to maximize the space, remember that books open up a play area to worlds beyond the four walls of the room. Bring story time to life by stocking up on their favorite stories so they can dive in any time.
6. Make storage fun
You can help your little one keep their space tidy with one of our favorite playroom storage ideas—making their toy storage just as exciting as their toys. By making organization more fun, you can ensure they give their books, toys and more a home.
7. Set up a chalkboard wall
With chalkboard wallpaper, writing on the walls is encouraged! Let your kid practice their drawing and decorating skills by giving them the freedom of sketching whatever they’d like on an entire wall. And if you’re homeschooling, this would also be a great homeschool room feature.
8. Convert a basement
Turn unused downstairs space into a dedicated play area to give your child plenty of room for activities. Basement playroom ideas are essentially the same as in any other part of the house, but be sure to include plenty of extra lighting options. You may also want to consider updating the paint or wallpaper to add brightness.
9. Double up the living room
Want to incorporate the playroom into an existing space? You can still maintain a stylish, minimalist living room while accommodating a kid-friendly play area. Try some space-saving living room/playroom combo ideas, like adding fun toy shelves, storing kids’ items in an ottoman and sectioning off a corner of the room.
10. Bring in your own design elements
While this may be their personal play place, it can also be blended into the greater design of your home using touches from other rooms. Try matching some of your favorite decor or furniture, even if they weren’t necessarily meant for kids’ rooms.
11. Find fun decor
The best playroom decor ideas are always the ones that add an element of playfulness to the space. Try to pick pieces that bring a bit of whimsy and reflect some of the unique things your child loves to engage or play with.
12. Don’t overlook the details
As is the case in any room of your home, a playroom comes with limitless design decisions, and every element offers another opportunity to contribute to the overall aesthetic. Every single piece, even down to the lamps, curtains, shelves and wall hooks, can be catered to your design.
13. Make it an escape
Everybody needs a space of their own to find a little peace and quiet sometimes, and children are no exception. Make their play place into a temporary escape with semi-enclosed features like a tent, playhouse or even canopy.
14. Expand their horizons with unique toys & games
How do you make a fun playroom? It might be as easy as filling the space with a wide array of unique playthings. Surprise them with toys, games and books they’ve never encountered before and let their imagination do the rest.
15. Embrace childlike wonder
As you design your child’s playroom, try to keep their perspective in mind and remember how you saw the world when you were their age. What do you think will spark their imagination, encourage their creativity, excite them or help them feel comfortable? Let these questions guide you as you make your choices for the space.
16. Set up a playroom in their bedroom
Your child’s bedroom may also be an ideal place to establish a play area. Help them keep their favorite games and toys at the ready right when they get up on the weekends with a few of our favorite bedroom storage ideas.
17. Add plenty of the soft & snuggly
If your little one has some well-loved animal friends, it may be time to add to the collection. Bring in some additional inanimate playmates to boost the fun, and try some creative stuffed animal storage solutions to keep them organized while incorporating them into the decor.
18. Plan ahead
It’s their playroom today, but in a few short years, you may be turning it into their study room. While you want to design a space that’s tailor-made for a child to play in right now, it’s also useful to consider how your child will grow into the space over time. Consider making strategic picks for essential, timeless furniture pieces that will be just as useful and relevant for them later on.
19. Draw from their favorite things
You know your child’s favorite things better than anyone, so use that knowledge as a source of room decor inspiration. Try to bring in pieces that show off their favorite shows, colors, book characters and animals so they can be surrounded by what they love.
20. Provide an array of storage options
Promote play and imagination by organizing clutter and keeping favorites at arm’s reach with a wide range of storage solutions. From chests to cubbies to crates to baskets, this makes it easier for your little one to keep track of their things in a way that makes sense to them. You may find that they prefer to keep toys in one place but like to keep their stuffed animals or games in another.
21. Share your workspace
If you spend a lot of your time in a home office, consider turning a portion of it into a dedicated play place. It may not be a traditional shared workspace situation, but it allows you to keep an eye on the little one while you get work done. Use furniture, curtains or other distinctive features to set visual boundaries to make the room feel like two separate spaces.
22. Opt for washable rugs
Kids tend to spend a lot of their playtime on the floor, and rugs in a playroom can see a lot of action. Washable options make it much easier to give the space a little refresh once cleaning time comes around.
23. Give them plenty of space
Sometimes play requires a little sprawl (or impromptu mid-game nap), so make sure your kiddo has plenty of open floor space to move around. Try grouping larger furniture pieces or keeping them flush to the wall, or swap out a dresser for shelving to create an unimpeded play area.
24. Nurture their inner artist
Kids tend to need a little encouragement to explore their artistic impulses. Make sure their playroom gives them plenty of outlets for their creative energy by including easels, chalkboards, notebooks and art supplies.
25. Set up a nap zone
Playing hard often leads to napping hard. Give your tuckered-out tike a place to do some A+ snoozing with alternative playroom sleepers like a daybed, a futon, a trundle or a sleeping bag.
26. Designate activity zones
One of our favorite playroom organization ideas is to conceptualize the room as separate smaller rooms. Try setting up distinct spaces for relaxing, playing video games, playing with toys, doing crafts and reading.
27. Spruce up the walls
If you want to add just a little something extra to your playroom design, consider adding some wall decals or wallpaper. This lets you customize the look of the room with just the right amount of color and texture.
28. Inspire them to create new worlds
Is it time for an update on the classic dollhouse? Fill your child’s playroom with modern takes on the timeless favorite toy to inspire them to build imaginary worlds and fill them with the characters they create.
29. Reflect their personality
One of our favorite game room ideas for kids with distinct personality traits is to play into their personalities. Are they extroverted, cheerful and active? Consider bright tones and ornate flourishes. Are they quiet, creative and introverted? Neutral tones and subtle decor may make them feel more connected to the space.
30. Put the “fun” back in functional
Even functional items like storage, lighting and seating provide opportunities to enhance the fun. Keep things playful as you pick out the items you might ordinarily think of as purely utilitarian.
31. Bring what they love to life
Does your little one love imagining thrilling adventures in the outdoors? Do they often disappear into the fantastic world of their favorite book series? Do they tune into a beloved show every chance they get? Turn their fantasy worlds into reality with similarly themed interactive toys and furnishings they can play with.
32. Go with STEM-themed toys
Remember, learning should be fun! Help your little one develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with learn and play must-haves like STEM-themed toys that will challenge, engage and inspire them.
33. Include playful furniture
To maximize the fun, try to pick out furniture that can safely be climbed on, stacked, rolled, pushed over or used in any way as a plaything. Look for pieces that provide a soft place to land for kids who love to jump, climb, build and tumble.
34. Fill the room with adventure
Make the playroom’s possibilities for adventure seem as limitless as your child’s imagination with dynamic toys, decor and furniture. You may not always be able to predict which pieces will resonate with them most, so give them a wide range they can explore over time.
35. Draw from your hobbies
Chances are your little one is already interested in some of the things you love doing. Inspire a sense of curiosity in your hobbies by theming some of their toys and decor after them to create a playroom you’ll both love.
36. Let them choose kid-approved designs
Want to be sure they love the look of their new playroom? Give them a say in the design! See if they have a theme in mind for the space, or ask for their input on specific items like shelves, baskets, toys or even lounge furniture.
37. Show off their creations
It’s important for creative children to feel supported and to see that the things they create can play a real, tangible role in their environment. Show off their artwork in their playroom and encourage them to make their own decor and toys.
38. Encourage play in every design element
Remember to keep a spirit of play in the room with wall art and decor choices. You could also consider more open, visual storage solutions that keep their toys in plain sight while also maintaining order.
39. Get personal
Let your little one take ownership of their playroom with monograms or personalized decor. This will help give them a sense that they can be free to play however they want in their own space.
40. Keep it kinetic
When it comes to playtime, it’s important to have toys and features that also keep your kiddo moving. Animal rockers or games that require standing or moving will keep their whole body moving during playtime.
These playroom ideas should help get you started on designing a do-it-all space for play dates, story time and more. You can’t go wrong if you keep their personalities and unique tastes in mind, and be sure to ask for their input as you consider their furniture, colors, layout, theme and—of course—toys.
