Playroom Media Room Design Plans
The more we check entire room makeovers off of our house to-do list, the more I realize how close we are to finishing all of them! After wrapping the kitchen makeover the other week, I figured it would all be an easy downhill ride with the last couple of blank rooms in our house.
But then, I got major creativity block. I sat in our playroom for days just staring at it (I mean… along with Olivia dressing me up like a pretty pretty princess and brewing imaginary pots of tea).
It’s been great to let her make a mess in here and to hardly care what it looks like, but I’ve always wanted to make this space more functional.
UPDATE: See the full playroom makeover reveal here!
I’ve finally been able to sort of wrap my brain around this one since it’s been so overwhelming figuring out where to start on such a blank canvas. So far, this is what I’m envisioning.
Even though this room has mostly been Olivia’s playroom from the beginning, I’ve really wanted to make it into a combo playroom / media room / craft room that can be versatile for all three of us.
The idea is to make it a casual space with plenty of storage for Olivia’s toys, room to spread out with future homework and craft projects, and a place where we can crash on the couch for a game night (or a billionth showing of Frozen).
With that tall order in mind, this is the design plan so far: (Affiliate links are provided below for convenience. For more information, see my full disclosure here.)
- Built-Ins: When we first moved in, I knew I wanted to install built-ins on this wall, and that was pretty much the extent of my good ideas.
But then when Rachel from Shades of Blue Interiors shared her wood wall, she gave me that lightbulb moment I’d been waiting for. A few months ago, Robert and I found some old weathered fence boards nearly for free on Craigslist that we’re hoping will be perfect for adding some interest around a TV and these Billy Bookcases from IKEA.
We’ll make the bookcases built-ins by anchoring them to the wall and adding molding to the top. We might build a bench seat similar to what Rachel did with a liftable top for extra toy or board game storage too.
2. Windows: We’ll most definitely be adding our DIY molding around the windows, and I’m thinking of some curtains panels with a bit of texture like these navy burlap curtains.
3. Artwork: On the back wall, we’ll be framing a grid of corkboard to make it an easily changeable space to display Olivia’s artwork.
4. Sofa: We bought our current sofa 5 years ago when Robert and I first got married, and it still has plenty of life left in it. I’m hoping the shape will make it really easy to slipcover with a white cotton fabric that I can bleach up yucky kiddo stains and throw them into the wash when I need to.
5. Coffee Table: I’d love a versatile coffee table like this trunk that we could also keep Legos inside of without slamming on little fingers and a white Lego baseplate on top to make it a fun spot where Olivia can build.
6. Rug: I wanted to incorporate more color than I usually do, and I’m completely smitten for this rug I found that is colorful and playful but still subtle.
7. Pillows: I’m sure these will change down the road, but these pillows would be cute coordinated with the rug that I’m head over heels for.
8. Homework/Craft Station: This half wall would be perfect for a long, skinny table similar to this table from IKEA that I could pair with these wood and metal chairs so that Olivia and I can craft together or she can work on school projects in a year or two.
9. Ceiling Fan / Lighting: We’re sort of ceiling fan junkies around here, and I’m a big “fan” (sorry had to…ha!) of this weathered gray one to replace our small, basic fixture.
For the paint color, I’m still debating between a light warm gray or a clean, white shiplap all over look. But since we’ll still have carpet in here, I’m thinking shiplap will look a bit odd. The jury’s still out on the wall color situation.
I’m still letting the plans marinate for a little bit on this whole room, but I’m pretty confident most of these ideas are here to stay.
What do you think so far?! Do you have a playroom in your house that needs some love? Or do you have any great storage solutions that you use to corral the toy chaos? Are there any ideas you have for this space? I’m all ears over here.
Oh, and in case you missed it yesterday, I’ve been thinking of interviewing Robert a.k.a. the crazy grunt labor around here and letting him take over the blog for the day. I’d love to get some questions to ask him from you guys! Click here to submit your questions for him.
