Kids' play spaces require both whimsy and practicality
Credit to Author: Claudia Kwan| Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2019 13:00:45 +0000
If you’re thinking of revamping a child’s play space, try to remember that a parent’s desire for practicality is not the only priority.
“You need to incorporate some real imagination and whimsical elements, because that’s what children are drawn to – they don’t think like adults,” says Lori Steeves, founder and creative director at Simply Home Decorating. “Use artwork or an object or a play structure to inspire your colour scheme or concept.”
In one client’s home, Steeves used a ferris wheel as a jumping-off point to inject colour and a sense of fun; a large mural of the carnival ride set the tone for the playroom. Other times, something like a small tent or playhouse can be a springboard for a theme; kids love small spaces in which they can feel cozy. Fabric touches like colourful bunting or paper flowers can also liven things up.
A small tent or playhouse can be a springboard for a playroom theme.
Next, the interior designer says it’s important to resist the urge to fill up the space with ‘stuff.’
“You need lots of open floor space, because kids always want to play on the floor,” she explains. “You need the surface to be soft but durable, and something that can be cleaned up easily.”
Steeves says carpet tiles are an excellent choice for a playroom, because they can be laid out in colourful patterns; they can also easily be pulled up and replaced piece-by-piece on an ad hoc basis. There are also lots of options for rugs: artificial fibre ones (which can be cleaned easily), wool ones (naturally resistant to dirt), or indoor-outdoor carpets, which are also easily cleaned, but not necessarily that soft.
Interior designer Melissa Barling’s esthetic tends more to whites, natural materials and unfinished woods; she figures white is easier to keep clean because you can see right away when it’s dirty.
Choose wisely when it comes to a table and chairs; kid-sized furniture items may be incredibly cute, but they can be brutally uncomfortable for adults hanging out with the children. Adjustable furniture might be a better option for growing with the children, or a mix of small and full-size pieces.
Make sure to incorporate lots of storage space that is labeled, so that kids can learn to keep their own spaces tidied up. (You’ll remember this the 100th time you step on a piece of Lego.) Certain toys can be kept on lower areas of shelving to be easily accessible to children, while things that may require some grown-up supervision – paints, play clay, scissors – should be higher up.
Melissa Barling, founder of Winter Daisy – a studio specializing in interior design for children – echoes the need for storage. She says some open storage and shelves will allow artwork and seasonal items to be cycled in and out, to keep the playroom environment feeling new.
Interior designer Melissa Barling recommends placing a play table in the middle of a room, rather than against a wall.
She also recommends placing a play table in the middle of a room, rather than against a wall.
“If your kid is always looking at a wall, it makes their eyes lazy because they’re not having to perceive depth,” she details. “If you put the table in the middle, kids can move around and see things from different positions.”
Barling’s esthetic tends more to whites, natural materials and unfinished woods; she figures white is easier to keep clean because you can see right away when it’s dirty. Washable materials and surfaces are key, as is buying a smaller number of higher quality toys to avoid clutter. Her go-to flooring choice is high-end indoor-outdoor rugs, or wool rugs over laminate or hardwood.
Adjustable furniture might be a better option for growing with the children, or a mix of small and full-size pieces.
Don’t get too caught up on what you may spot on Instagram or Pinterest; you don’t have to set aside an entire room if you don’t have one available. Steeves says small individual regions can be turned into play areas for children, as long as they are planned out properly.
“Some kids don’t even put clothes in their closets, so you can set them up for quiet activities like arts, reading, and crafts,” she points out. “Put a little mini-kitchen in the kitchen, or a mat and toy cash register in the home office to play ‘store.’ As long as there is a place to put the toys away, it should work; you also need certain toy-free areas, like the bedroom, so that adults don’t feel overrun with kids’ stuff.”