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3 Easy Ways To Make An Awesome Playroom
Editor's note: If you are lucky enough to have a room to set aside as a playroom, you will find some very worthwhile ideas in Alycia's article. And if your children play in their bedrooms or a corner of the sitting room, many of these ideas can be adapted too...
It's no secret that every good parent wants to have a great playroom where a child can explore and imagine to his or her heart's content. But so often this space ends up becoming nothing more than an eyesore to poor mom and dad! Many feel that in order to create a truly enjoyable room, they will have to spend a fortune. But that just isn't the case! With a little creativity and ingenuity you can create an inspired play place. Here are some simple steps that anyone can take to ensure that the playroom lives up to its full potential. Step 1: Customize! Each child is unique and has individual interests. Find out about them! If you have a few kids then see if there is a theme that they can collectively agree on and go with that. Creating a theme for a room can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint and a few strategically placed items. For instance, if your daughter is interested in fairies, find a playhouse that fits that theme and turn it into the centerpiece for the room. If your son is interested in jungle animals, frame some posters with that pictorial theme and hang them around the room. Step 2: Organize. Most of the clutter in a playroom is due to disorganization. By creating some clearly defined areas in the room, children can learn to be organized from a young age. A delightful reading area can be created by simply placing a comfy chair and bookshelf on a colorful kid-friendly carpet. Action figures and dolls can be placed on one shelf while art supplies can have their own corner. All of this ensures a clean space that can be fully enjoyed by children and maybe some parents too! And don't feel pressured to keep every toy forever. If your child isn't playing with it anymore sell it or donate it! Step 3: Think Ahead. We all know that children's taste can change rapidly, so when planning your renovation, don't get too carried away. Choose a color that will be able to grow with the child. Pale greens, blues and yellows have the ability to match a multitude of themes while still infusing some color into the room. Go for broader themes that don't rely on a single character or show. This doesn't mean that they can't be included in the room; it simply means including them in a different way. Opt for a painting of them which can later be sold instead of a wall mural which will inevitably have to be painted over. The idea is to include elements that can easily be removed, but don't look like an afterthought. Most importantly: Have fun with it. Don't try to compete with your local theme park when designing the playroom! The goal is to simply create an environment that encourages imagination. A little thought and effort will go a long way in aiding a child's enjoyment of his or her special room. So, set aside one weekend and get to work! * Alycia Shapiro is a mom and business owner of SensoryEdge. As the mother of a child with learning disabilities, she has advocated for services that her son needs to "catch up" with his peers. The dreaded IEP can break someone who is not prepared. Read about IEP's and Children's Playroom Furniture at SensoryEdge. Back to Parenting |
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