Playroom Plans

If you are feeling overwhelmed by a house strewn with toys and clutter, you’re not alone. Chances are, your child is feeling burdened by the mess too. A tremendous number of toys without their set place can be stressful for a child and make it difficult for them to zoom in on a single thing and enjoy play time. A disorganized playroom can even setup a theme of chaos in your house, but, don’t worry! You can turn things around right now.

Continue reading for amazing playroom design ideas and playroom organization hacks that will leave you and your child with more time to enjoy play—rather than being overwhelmed by the mess.

How to organize a playroom

First things first! Take a deep breath. Don’t get too bent out of shape when there are a few toys left out. Playrooms are meant to be played in, and they should also serve as a safe environment for creativity. That being said, a little bit of structure goes a long way in making everyone, including your child, happy—and even more well-behaved (well, hopefully!). Most people are familiar with the cliché that children crave structure. Well, multiple scientific studies have proven that children want you to set guidelines and boundaries, which help them understand what is expected of them. Setting up an organized system in a playroom is no different!

A great first step in organizing your playroom is to prep a few weeks before, tackling the playroom by first observing your children at play. Determine what toys are consistently in use and which ones are ready to be donated. Involve your child in the process by mentioning things like ‘Hey I’ve noticed this toy has been a little lonely. I think another little boy or girl will have fun playing with it. Can we donate it?’. You may be surprised to find out that most children are as happy to minimize as you are.

You can also increase organization by starting to incorporate pickup time into your child’s bedtime routine. This can give you and your child peace of mind. You’ll both be able to rest easy knowing that your kids have a clean place to play in the morning. Set a five-minute timer for a fun twist and watch your children giggle as they race to clean up. A sticker and a high five are great rewards for a tidy playroom.

Functional Furniture

Once you’ve gone through your belongings, gotten rid of unused items, and even started to incorporate an evening cleaning routine, you’re ready to move on to the big changes. One such update may be new playroom furniture that can help take the organization and function of your space to the next level. You can start by figuring out what furniture is needed—remember that functionality is key. Essential playroom furniture pieces help keep the room open for play and functioning 24/7. Consider a comfy storage bench or ottoman; these multi-function pieces are great for hiding away bulky toys or books, while providing mom or dad a place to rest during an intense play session. Sitting criss-cross applesauce for extended periods of time just doesn’t seem as appealing as it was in grade school. Don’t forget the kiddos! A small plush chair or bean bag will work wonders when your child wants to sit and read, or relax just like mom or dad!

Remember, kids’ playroom furniture should be appropriate for play by age groups and should always be safety focused. When it comes to safety, look for soft furniture such as upholstered ottomans and soft baskets or storage cubes. This will limit injuries during clumsy trips and falls that playing children often have. If you choose sturdy hardwood furniture, make sure corners are softened and the piece is against a wall, out of the way of the normal play area. Bookcases can be great for displaying books and other toys, but you may want to avoid bookcases with doors or drawers as little fingers can be easily pinched. You should also refrain from placing tempting toys on top of heavy furniture, as children love to climb, which can lead to accidents. Most importantly, make sure that heavy furniture, such as bookcases are safely anchored to the wall. HOM Furniture provides FREE anti-tip kits in all HOM Furniture showrooms to help anchor furniture to the wall.

How to organize a playroom on a budget

Organizing your child’s playroom doesn’t have to break the bank, and in most cases, only a few extra items are needed. Plastic tubs are great for organizing toys by type, and their clear sides make it easy to see what is inside. For little kids, consider labeling each bin with a picture of what goes inside and have a fun pickup party. Turn on some dancing music, and have a race to see how quickly each child, or you and your child, can fill up a particular container. Gamification of everyday mundane tasks makes them easier to handle—especially for little ones! Storage cube organizers are stylish shelves with cubbies that are fantastic for displaying items and can be repurposed as your children grow. Storage cubbies also tend to be fairly affordable, and the cloth cubes that go inside are fantastic for bulkier items such as large figures, vehicles, large blocks, stuffed animals and even books. Plus, the various shelves give a sleek display for different decor through the years. You can also utilize extra baskets, bins and crates in your favorite style, placing them either on extra shelves or the floor. Who says playroom furniture and décor can’t be stylish!

Along with storage, you’ll want to have fun home décor items that give your space a cute and comfortable look. Area rugs can be a fantastic and budget-friendly option if you have hardwood floors or even carpet, and are looking to create an extra cozy space for enjoyable play. Want to jazz up the walls a bit? Use your child’s artwork, placed in a fashionable frame for a fun, budget-friendly decor twist that will melt your heart every time you walk in the room.

Remember, at the end of the day getting frustrated over playroom messes doesn’t help anyone. Keep calm and don’t sweat the small stuff, implement a few organizational and storage changes, and smile knowing that a temporary mess means they spent time having fun and being creative.