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How to Create a Small Space Play Room for apartment living

Interior Stylist, Magdalene Liacopoulos from The Bebe Style Co. shares her advice for putting together a children’s playroom when working with limited space

Magdalene Liacopoulos Interior & Nursery Stylist

With small space and apartment living rising in popularity, we are forced to think smarter about how we utilize the space in our home. With this shift in living, young families are saying goodbye to the notion of a big backyard and instead creating a children’s playroom. Whether your apartment can accommodate an entire room dedicated to a play zone or you are working with transforming a space off the living area, the same rules apply.

TIP 1: WORK THOSE WALLS

Floor space is valuable real estate, and for this reason, it’s important to make maximum use of your walls—the good news is that the possibilities are endless.

Custom-cabinetry: Consider built-in shelving. Yes, it’s an investment, and for this reason I highly recommend choosing a design that suits the general feel and style of your home. Built-in shelving means that toys, books and the like have a home. Bringing in accessories like storage bins and book stoppers to custom cabinetry will help keep things organized and neat.

Image via A Beautiful Mess

Image Via Home Polish

Wall mounted bookshelves: If you aren’t quite ready to commit to something tailor-made, then at the very least I would suggest a bookshelf that can be fixed to the wall and positioned within reach for your child to access. My go-to for small spaces is the Ubabub Booksee wall bookshelf set. The modern acrylic design makes for a streamlined look, and in a small space you want to minimize bulky and fussy additions.

Wall Art: Swap out the idea of the run-of-the-mill chalkboard easel for a piece that will save on space, like the Gautier Studio Blackjack blackboard that can be hung on the wall! Another great idea is bringing in a wall mounted paper roll—all you need is a few extra accouterments, like The Fabelab wall pocket. It’s a clever and compact way to store arts and crafts. Finish off with a statement stool, like the Olli Ella storie stool and you have yourself the ultimate craft zone.

Image via Olli Ella.

TIP 2: LAYOUT AND PLAY ZONES

When working within a small perimeter, it’s important to consider how the room will be used. Think about your child’s preferences, the available space, and what will comfortably work within the playroom. With this information in mind, plan how you will utilize your walls – map out and establish your play areas.

Stylist Tip: A rug is a great decorative element to bring in to help establish a specific zone.

TIP 3: PLAYROOM ESSENTIALS

Furniture and accessories can take up valuable space, which why it’s important to have a list in mind and be selective with your choices. Seating would be one of the items at the top of the list, and it may mean deciding between a table and chairs for drawing over a lounge for reading and downtime.

Try to be guided by your child’s likes. For creative ones who love to draw, you can’t look past the latest Lemonade Play Set range by Babyletto.

BabylettoLemonadePlaysetMarshmallowLS1

Unfortunately there is nowhere to hide in a small space, which is why sufficient storage is another important one to add to the shopping list. You’ll need organizers and baskets like the Lorena Canals Bubbly Basket to help manage toys and keep organized. A small space can get overcrowded easily, so I will always recommend having some of the toys stowed away in tubs, and replacing them in and out of the playroom regularly. As a bonus this will also keep things stimulating for your child.

TIP 4: INJECT SOME PERSONALITY

The purpose of a children’s playroom is to spark their imagination and keep them occupied and interested—it wouldn’t be a very effective playroom if there wasn’t an injection of colour or quirky decorative element to help bring the room to life. Think about what will work visually in your space, however a cluster of Fiona Walker felt animal heads on the wall with a string of Cam Cam Copenhagen flag bunting could be all the room needs to strike the perfect balance of fun and thought-provoking.

TOT PICKS FOR YOUR SHELVES + WALLS

Fiona Walk Strawberry Bookstopper + Aloe Vera Cactus Bookstopper