October 2019

With the rising popularity of small space and apartment living, we’re forced to make creative, smart, and functional decisions about how we set up and utilize our spaces, especially with kids in the picture. Whether your apartment can accommodate an entire playroom or you’re looking at sectioning off dedicated parts of various rooms, the mission is the same: to create an efficient and inviting space where your kids can engage, interact, and play!

Here are a handful of ways to carve out a play area in your shared space. As you design, get your child involved. They’ll love having a say in things and maybe even think of a few things you never would.

Determine the Play Zones

Start by taking measurements of available spaces and consider how the room will be used. Think about what your child likes to do and what sorts of activities and toys will comfortably fit in any given space. Setting up shop in an open floor plan? Create a visual barrier with a change in flooring, like an area rug or modular flooring tiles. Modular flooring tiles are great because they’re soft, come in a wide range of colors, and can be put away and stored when not in use.

Work the Walls

Since floor space is prime real estate, take advantage of your wall space. Add wall mounted bookshelves that can be fixed to the wall and positioned within reach for your child to access. Save space and replace a chalkboard easel with one that can be hung on the wall. Secure a wall mounted paper roll and a wall pocket, as a clever and compact way to store arts and crafts. Just keep things at child-height, so your little one can reach all the good stuff.

Playroom Essentials

Furniture and accessories can quickly eat up space, so it’s important to have a list of items in mind and to be selective when it comes to more permanent pieces. Seating is a great example – you may be deciding between a table and chairs for drawing and creating or a comfortable lounge chair for reading and downtime. You know your kids best, so set the scene to align with their favorite activities. In a small space, storage and organization are also top of mind. Choose baskets and tubs that are decorative and efficient for storing toys and books. Parenting hack – keep some baskets with toys in the play area and some stowed away, so you can switch them out occasionally and get your kids excited over and over again about the same toys!

Add Some Flair

Spark your child’s imagination with color and some decorative elements to help bring the space to life. Set up a pop-up teepee (which can be easily stored), color code the books and toys in bins, or pick out a toy chest that resembles a character or scene that will act as both storage and décor. The more a play space looks different than the other areas of your apartment, the more special it will feel to your kids.