When you first bring home a baby and start your life as a parent, it’s hard to imagine just how much “stuff” you will accumulate and need. As the baby grows into a toddler and is able to start playing with toys, they suddenly start to take over every square inch of your home. It’s usually at this point parents put their foot down and realize a proper playroom is in order, a place to keep all the toys and mess so that the house doesn’t become one big toy store.
But, before you get started on creating a toy room for your little one, it’s a good idea to give the design and plan thought. Creating one that is able to grow with your child is usually the best plan so you will get many years of use out of it.
Pick a Cheerful Color Palette
Rather than going with the typical blue or pink based on your child’s gender, opt for a cheerful color palette. You want the room to inspire creativity and fun, and this can be achieved through the color palette you choose. You may want to stay away from themes, however, as these will wear off fast as your child grows, which means you’ll constantly have to change it.
Provide a Variety of Storage Solutions
As your child grows and gets older, one thing that becomes obvious really quickly is that their toys also get bigger. With this in mind, you’ll want to provide a variety of storage options in different sizes and configurations. This will help ensure longevity.
A Homework and Study Corner
Even if your child is still a toddler, it won’t be long until they start pre-school or nursery school so you’ll want to think ahead and design that quiet study corner that is perfect for learning, and homework later down the road. The area should include a desk and chair that is perfect for their size at the moment, a bookshelf, and writing/drawing supplies. It should be in a well-lit area that is also close to a power outlet.
Right now, they aren’t using a tablet and computer, but it happens sooner than you may think. All you have to do is take one look at the various educational and learning apps out there to see the merits and getting them on a tablet as early as possible. For example, the Stuttering Doctor app is perfect for young children who are having issues with stuttering. The number of educational apps is vast and many of them can be quite effective.
Give Thought to the Flooring
Here’s a tip that can sometimes be overlooked, but flooring is a big issue in a playroom. Because the playroom can be the scene of many spills and messes, it’s usually a good idea to use a decorative carpet that is relatively inexpensive. Even better, look for one with a rubber backing so spills can’t soak through to the flooring below.
Think of Their Present and Future Needs
The key to designing a playroom that grows with your child is to be mindful of their needs right now, as well as their future needs.
