The journey to create a truly inspiring and functional children’s playroom is one filled with excitement, creativity, and a touch of strategic planning. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our beloved playroom makeover project is nearing its triumphant completion! If you’ve been following along on our Instagram Stories, you might have caught a glimpse of the final touches and ongoing efforts. For those new to our adventure, you can always find the complete saga on our Instagram highlight reel, detailing every step of this rewarding transformation.
Before we dive into the delightful details of the “after,” let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and appreciate how far this space has come.
The Playroom: A Glimpse into the Past
The Before: A Blank Canvas Awaiting Transformation
Every great makeover story begins with a humble “before.” This room, while holding potential, was a blank canvas waiting to be infused with life, color, and functionality tailored for a child’s imagination. It presented an exciting challenge and a wonderful opportunity to design a space that wasn’t just for playing, but for learning, creating, and growing.
After Paint and the Game-Changing IKEA Built-ins
The first significant step in our playroom makeover was the application of fresh paint, which instantly brightened and modernized the space. However, the true game-changer came with the installation of our DIY IKEA built-ins. This project wasn’t just about adding storage; it was about defining the room, creating architectural interest, and providing a highly functional solution for toy organization and display. The built-ins transformed a simple wall into a practical and aesthetically pleasing feature, setting the stage for the rest of the decor.
The Current Vision: Almost an “After”
And now, behold the current state! While technically still “in progress” with a few minor tweaks remaining, it undoubtedly feels like a stunning “after.” The room has evolved into a vibrant, organized, and inviting sanctuary where imagination can soar and creativity can flourish. Every element has been thoughtfully chosen to contribute to a cohesive and joyful environment for play and learning.
Key Elements That Define Our Dream Playroom
Life-Giving Organization: Baskets and Labels
Let me tell you, the implementation of those thoughtfully labeled baskets for Olivia’s toys has been nothing short of life-changing! Stepping into this room now brings an immediate sense of calm and order. It’s not just about tidiness; it’s about empowering our little one with independence and a clear understanding of where everything belongs. All week long, Olivia has been actively participating in putting away her toys, not out of obligation, but with genuine excitement, proudly reading the labels and knowing exactly where to place each item. This simple yet effective toy organization system fosters responsibility and makes cleanup a truly collaborative and enjoyable part of her daily routine, transforming what could be a chaotic space into a haven of tranquility.
A Touch of Whimsy: The Bamboo Light Fixture
Adding to our beautifully orderly basket system, we recently installed a charming bamboo light fixture, an absolute steal from IKEA at just $60. This piece effortlessly ties in with the natural, woody tones of our baskets and the top of the built-in bookcase, creating a harmonious and grounded feel. Yet, its playful design ensures it remains youthful and fun, perfectly suited for a vibrant playroom. The soft, diffused light it casts adds to the inviting atmosphere, making the room feel cozy and inspiring for creative play.
The Adaptable Play Table: Designed for Growth
Right around New Year’s, a remarkable find presented itself: this fantastic play table from Land of Nod, marked down by a generous 50%! Seizing the opportunity, I promptly acquired it. Although only a dark brown table was available, it was nothing a little white spray paint couldn’t elegantly remedy. This simple DIY step allowed us to customize its appearance to perfectly match our playroom’s aesthetic, ultimately saving a substantial $125 on the purchase. The table’s transformation from dark brown to crisp white brightened the corner and seamlessly integrated it into the room’s design scheme.
The truly ingenious feature of this play table is its changeable legs, a design element that ensures it can effortlessly grow alongside Olivia. This thoughtful adaptability means the table will remain a central, cherished piece in her playroom for many years, adjusting to her height and developmental stages. To further enhance its creative potential, I also acquired a paper roll holder to attach to it. Now, Olivia can indulge her artistic spirit to her heart’s content, drawing and coloring almost every single day. This feature not only encourages artistic expression but also keeps her engaged and entertained for hours, making the play table a hub of imaginative activity.
Sturdy and Stylish Seating: Miniature French Bistro Chairs
To complement our adaptable play table, we discovered the perfect seating solution: these charming miniature French bistro-style chairs, also found during a fantastic New Year’s sale at Target (holiday sales are truly a treasure trove for finding great deals!). Crafted from durable metal, these chairs are incredibly sturdy, ensuring they will withstand countless hours of play, creative projects, and energetic use for years to come. Their classic design adds a touch of sophistication to the playful environment, proving that children’s furniture can be both robust and aesthetically pleasing.
Vintage Charm for Modern Supplies: The Sugar Mold Organizer
A few weeks ago, during an inspiring visit to a local antique store, I stumbled upon a unique gem: an old sugar mold. Recognizing its potential beyond its original purpose, I envisioned it as a charming and practical organizer for art supplies. Now, it proudly sits on our play table, filled with an array of colorful markers and pencils, adding a touch of vintage character to the modern playroom. This find not only provides a creative storage solution but also reinforces the idea that beautiful, functional pieces can be discovered in unexpected places, blending old-world charm with everyday utility.
Personalized Decor: DIY Storybook Art
To infuse the playroom with a sense of personal history and creative flair, we finally hung up the DIY storybook art that we lovingly crafted for the playroom in our old house. These unique pieces, created from beloved children’s books, add a whimsical and sentimental touch to the walls. They serve as a constant reminder of cherished stories and encourage a love for reading, making the space not just visually appealing but also rich in meaning and personal connection. This art truly makes the playroom feel uniquely ours.
The Final Frontier: Finishing Touches and Future Plans
With most of the major elements in place, we now turn our attention to a few selective finishing touches on the other walls of this vibrant playroom. Our primary focus this upcoming weekend is the prominent orange brick wall, which is eagerly awaiting a refreshing limewash treatment. This application will not only lighten and soften the texture of the brick but also contribute to the overall serene and cohesive aesthetic we’ve meticulously cultivated throughout the room. It’s the last significant step to truly transform this space into a perfect blend of modern comfort and playful charm. Any volunteers for a limewash party? Bueller? 😉
This playroom makeover has been a labor of love, transforming a functional space into a true sanctuary of imagination and organized play. We hope our journey inspires you to embark on your own home improvement adventures, proving that with a little vision and effort, any room can be transformed into something truly special.
For those eager to recreate elements of this space, here are the sources for items we’ve used in this playroom makeover so far:
- Wall color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Trim color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Door color: Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron
- Area rug
- Play table
- Play chairs
- Light fixture
- Bookcase built-ins
- Watercolor map (similar)
- Storybook art
- Baskets
- Wicker trunk (similar – ours has been discontinued)
