5 Ways to Create Comfort in a Toy Filled Playroom
Playrooms are a great way to compartmentalize the noise and mess in a home, but at what cost? Many parents attempt to make their playroom a fun, organized space, but within minutes, it can end up a disaster. So, how do you combine comfort and toys in the same room?
1. Add Kid-Friendly Seating Areas
Several sitting areas in a playroom can give children a lot of choices. Seating areas that give kids the option of using them in multiple ways are even better. Bean bags are a great way to add seats and places to roll around.
You can also add a modular sofa to the room, which can be moved around and rearranged as needed. The various modules allow kids to mix up space when they like.
2. Create a Quiet Space
While being noisy and rambunctious is part of being a kid, sometimes they need some quiet, too. Adding a space where your child can relax and calm themselves is a good idea. Try adding a tent or a small, confined space where they can curl up away from everyone. Add twinkle lights and some books nearby to make the space even more inviting.
Cushions, blankets, and stuffed animals can all help make a quiet space more comforting. You may also want to put some fidget items there, like a stress ball or a color-changing flashlight.
3. Divide the Space
It’s simple to separate the space into little areas where your child can enjoy different activities. Kids love nothing more than little houses or caves they can play in. Use curtains or larger toys to separate the spaces. For example, you might have one area that is a reading space with a curtain around it and the art area may be walled off with easels or a low shelf full of supplies.
This also makes it easier to corral toys and supplies to specific areas of the room. Each area should have its own storage choices. Bins, baskets, and shelves are all quite useful and can be put to good use. Teach kids to pick their toys up and put them back after using them to help reduce the number of items on the floor.
4. Eliminate the Electronics
Electronics can take all the attention if they’re in the same room as the toys. You’ll find that removing the television or computer from the playroom is a great way to encourage more creativity and playtime. It also makes it much easier to reinforce time limits when the electronics aren’t actually within reach in the play area.
If you do include electronics in the playroom, make a point of keeping them hidden. Tuck the television inside a cupboard or put the computer in a closet. The kids will see toys and other things first and be more attracted to them than the electronics.
5. Reduce the Toys
The fewer toys you have, the less there is to organize. Kids can easily become overwhelmed when it’s time to pick up and the entire floor is covered. The first step to preventing a disaster is to simply eliminate toys they don’t use. These can be donated to charity or sold. Anything broken should immediately be thrown away.
If you still have too many toys after getting rid of the things that no longer work or that your kids don’t play with, try storing some. You can switch toys out every 3 months to keep the clutter down. Your children will be excited to have their old favorites back and you’ll avoid having a messy playroom.
6. Give Everything a Place
Each and every toy in the playroom should have a specific spot where it can go. Clear boxes or open baskets are perfect for piling things, but you want to be sure they’re clear for the kids to use. Labels work well for those who can already read. For younger children, you can use a picture on the bin or shelf to encourage little ones to put their toys away where they belong.
The simpler it is to clean up, the tidier space will be. You’ll all feel more comfortable when everything has its own spot.
7. Keep Things Muted
By lowering the lights or using only natural light, you automatically calm a child’s nervous system. If they’ve had a big day at school, or are tired, but still need to play for a bit before bedtime, muted colors like tan, dusty rose, and such can help. Avoid using bright colors and lights that can ramp up behavior and encourage kids to be over the top.
Creating a beautiful playroom that invites children to play without making you feel crazy is all part of the challenge. Look at what your children love to do and then build their space around those activities. It’s the best way to ensure everyone is comfortable and happy.
With these tips, you should be able to create a lovely, comfortable space in a toy-filled playroom. Make a plan and start working on eliminating clutter and building the perfect space for your family. Comment below your favorite organization tips for those pesky playrooms!
