Playroom & Homework Station Makeover
What To Do With That “Bonus Room”?
So many houses have it:
That “extra” room in your home that is a flexible room. Sometimes it is off the front foyer and realtors call it a “den” or “home office”. Or sometimes it is a Bonus Room in the attic or at the top of the stairs. And sometimes it is an extra room in a finished basement.
And I bet you either have one of those “Flex Rooms” or you have seen potential buyers puzzle over it on an episode of House Hunters!
The “Before”
Here is the room we started with, the typical sized room off the front foyer:
Playroom Design + Homework Station + Craft Room Makeover
My client, who is a Mama of 3, decided to turn her Bonus Room into 3 Functions: A Playroom, Homework Station, and Craft Room for her kids. Her Bonus Room was located at the front of her house, right off the foyer, so it needed to be neat and organized, with plenty of storage to stash away toys when guests come over. Finally, she wanted plenty of neutral elements to blend into the rest of the home, but with some pops of bright colors since the area is for kids.
Gender Neutral Playroom Design
And like many families, this Playroom Room & Homework Station had to work for girls AND boys, as my client has two daughters and a son. So instead of having a gender specific theme, we went with bright pops of color that would work equally as well for boys and girls.
Playroom Design Idea #1: Create a Homework Station & Craft Desk
One of the big requests for this room was to have a Homework Station for their two older girls. This could also be a place to work on projects or crafts. I think it is SO important when designing kid’s spaces in particular that you not only have to go for beauty, but also durability and easy to clean. Because even the cutest item isn’t so cute when it is covered with scratches and marker stains!
Kid Desk Tip #1: Easy to Wipe Down Counter:
I love using these wood tops from Ikea-I can attest in my own home that they are easy to wipe down and clean. I have had mine for over three years (with heavy use) and I have cleaned off marker, crayon, toothpaste, and slime with no problem! Another great choice is a laminate top. If you are going to use a painted countertop, be sure it has a nice, hard finish, or consider putting a protective cover over it.
Kid Desk Tip #2: Make it as big as possible
We created an 8′ long desk that took up an entire wall! And I think it is worth every square inch, this double Homework Station lets each girl have her own individual spot, and gives them plenty of room to spread out.
Kid Desk Tip #3: Use Closed Door and Drawer Storage
Kids are messy, and you don’t want to constantly be re-organizing their things just to make the room look neat and clean. I’m a huge can of stashing not-so-attractive items (such as office and craft supplies) behind closed doors. But my favorite type of storage-especially with kids-is drawer storage. It lets you get a little more organized and gives a better storage solution for all of those itty bitty things children always seem to have.
Kid Desk Tip #4: Use Your Vertical Space=Create Display Space
Because all children love to show off their artwork or “collections” I love adding a shelf over the desk. I would hang it at about 18″ over the desk as not to cramp their workspace. You can add cute wall decor, show off their artwork, or give a space to display craft or Lego creations where they won’t get bumped.
Kid Desk Tip #5 Choose Durable Versions of Your Items
When decorating a kid room or Playroom you will want to think about….all the way things can break.
While you can’t make everything non-breakable, you can put more delicate objects on shelves, or as wall decor. But I try to make as many touchable-items durable. This wood lamp from Pillowfort isn’t going to break the way a glass or ceramic one wood. The striped desk organizer is made from a durable, sturdy material that should hold up well to little hands. The less breakable items you have, the happier everyone is!
How To Re-Create This Kid Desk Area
You will be thrilled to know all of the components from this desk are from Ikea! I used three of the Alex Drawers and the countertop is the Karlby Wood Top. This top comes in several finishes and sizes. This is the 98″L and in the “Birch” finish. And the shelves
The “After” Playroom Design
Playroom Design Idea #2 Toy Storage
Remember my part about CLOSED drawer storage for kid stuff? The same goes with kids toys! I promise you, it is so much better to be able to quickly stash toys into doors and drawers than having to “re-arrange” them to look cute and neat on open shelves. Besides, I want a kid space to be a space for them to feel free and playful, without worrying about how to display items. These Ikea pull-out drawers give a lot of flexible storage for their changing needs. Later it can store board games or books.
Playroom Design Idea #3: Kid’s Reading Nook
Another request Mama had was a reading nook or window seat. Because their Bonus Room wasn’t overly large, we decided to combine the toy storage with the window seat. I used the inspiration from Item #12 on the Mood Board above. Using the toy storage drawers as support, they install a wood seat/countertop to go all the way across. On each side we added a cushion and adorable kid-friendly throw pillows to create reading areas. But in the middle we left it open with a little stool to create a play area. This would be a great area to build blocks, play with Legos, or toy cars. Because the room is carpeted, this gave their kids a hard surface to play on as well. And when not in use the little stool tucks right under the top!
Playroom Design Idea #4: Make It Fun
Because no kid wants to spend time in a blah, beige room. Besides, where else do you get to be child-like yourself again and use vibrant colors and whimsical art?
For heavens sake, we got to use a SLOTH PILLOW in this Playroom design, how cool is that?
The perfect way to add a pop of color and fun into a Kid’s Room or Playroom is through the wall decor. For my client, I helped her choose all of her artwork to create a Gallery Wall as well as a few pieces of artwork to lean casually on the shelf over the desks. They can fill in this area with either framed family photos or kid artwork.
Here was the Layout created, indicating the size and location of each piece:
Kid’s Playroom Wall Decor
And here it is in real life! I always like to mix in a few non-framed items such as this felt banner and a these shelves.
See Other Playroom & Bonus Room Designs
And if you need even MORE ideas, here are some past Playroom and Kid Bonus Room projects I think you will love and grab some great ideas from:
5 Ways to Create an Epic Playroom for ALL Ages & Genders
Farmhouse Playroom + Craft Room Makeover
7 Ways to Design the Perfect Basement Playroom + Bonus Room
Need Help with Your Kid Room Design?
While a Mom may not be able to choose her favorite child, this Interior Designer can choose her favorite room to design. Without a doubt, all kid spaces, such as kid bedrooms, nurseries, playrooms, and and bonus rooms are my favorite to design. And they seem to be your favorite too, because they are my #1 most requested room for Interior E-Design!
I’m excited to announce the launch of Postbox Designs KIDS coming in Spring 2019!
And for a limited time you can take $50 off your project!
You can expect the same custom Interior E-Design, but in a fun, interactive, kid-friendly way! I even have a special template for them to describe or draw their dream room. And when their Room-in-a-Box arrives, it will have a special surprise inside for them. If you are overwhelmed with a Playroom, Nursery, Bonus Room, or Kid Bedroom, I want to help. You can click below to see more about it:
Get a Sneak Peek Into Postbox Designs KIDS
Grab This Free Kid Room Design Too
And while you are checking out how Postbox Designs KIDS works, you can also grab this FREE Design + Shopping List to create your own Kid Desk, Home Station, or Activity Center. This would work great in a kid’s bedroom, Playroom, or Bonus Room.
Grab My Free Design
Don’t Be a Stranger
And if you have any questions at all about the Playroom you saw today, working with me, or anything about Postbox Designs, just drop me an email at kristin@postboxdesigns.com and we can chat more! Or just check out How It Works!
Cheers,
Kristin
Julie Balanda says
I entered the password for this resource guide but still do not have access. I’d like to know where the white desk drawer units are from? (under the the IKEA counter tops) Thanks! .
PostboxDesigns says
Julie, I’m so sorry about that…I’ll look into it ASAP. However, I can definitely help you out with the source. The drawers are from Ikea, and are called the “Alex” drawers (here is the link for them), and the top is the “Karlby” top, also from Ikea. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10192824/ I hope that helps! 🙂 Kristin
Julie Balanda says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Annabelle says
Where is the “You can do hard work” sign from? Love that!!
PostboxDesigns says
Hi Annabelle, I love that one too! It is from the Etsy Shop “PrintasticStudio” and here is the link to it: https://www.etsy.com/listing/487588267/you-can-do-hard-things-typography-art?ref=hp_rv Hope that helps! Kristin
Holly says
Hi there, I entered the password as well and do not have access to the resource list. Was wondering where the stool and chairs come from? Thanks so much!
PostboxDesigns says
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for reaching out….I don’t have every project in the Free Resource Library, and this is one that isn’t in there. But I would be happy to help you out..the wood desk chairs are from Target’s Pillowfort line. And that stool (as well as the desk and “built-ins”) are all from Ikea! 🙂 I hope that helps, Kristin
Melissa says
Hi! Wondering what size the rug is for this room? Do you know the approx. room dimensions?
PostboxDesigns says
Hi Melissa, I’m not sure the room dimensions off the top of my head, but the rug is a 5×7! I hope that helps 🙂
Eb says
Hi, love the design of the room! I was wondering where the wooden countertop on top of the kids’s storage units from. Are they also from ikea?
PostboxDesigns says
Thanks so much! Yes, it is also from Ikea! It is called the “Karlby” wood counter 🙂