Decorating a playroom for kids is very different than decorating a game room for adults.
You must take into account the childrens' safety, storage for all of their things, and it must be inspirational so they want to spend time there.
Here are some interior designer tips & tricks for how to decorate a playroom for kids of different ages.
photo courtesy of Bonsoni flickr.com/photos/bonsoni_uk/11785683096/
Infant/Toddler
If you have an infant or toddler, your playroom will most likely be filled with infant and toddler toys and equipment.
You may want a rocking chair and perhaps a TV for you to watch while rocking your baby.
Infants and toddlers need a lot of floor space to crawl around and play, so don't put too much furniture in the playroom.
A fun colored rug (that is easy to clean) would be a nice addition.
Make sure to baby proof that room to keep your kids safe.
Since your infant and toddler are growing so fast, do not invest in expensive furniture and decorations for the playroom at this age group.
Preschool
If you have a preschool aged child, you will most likely have many toys with many pieces.
You should be able to have your preschool kid assist in picking up, but he/she will probably not be able to put things away by themselves.
Make sure to decorate the playroom to allow adequate storage that is easy for your preschool child to access. Also have space that is out of reach so your child does not dump out every bucket of blocks, cars, and puzzle pieces at the same time.
You should have furniture appropriately sized for children.
Paint the playroom using fun colors that your kid appreciates.
Decorate the walls with educational artwork, such as maps, pictures of animals, or letters of the alphabet.
Early Elementary
Early elementary school aged kids love to play with blocks and dolls on the floor as well as watch TV.
Keep plenty of floor space clear in the playroom so they have room to play.
Floor cushions and bean bag chairs are more appropriate at this age instead of a nice sofa.
Upper Elementary and Middle School
Upper elementary aged kids and middle school kids are very involved with electronics.
They want a comfortable area to spend time with their electronic devices, watch TV, and play video games.
Playing with blocks is less common at this age, so investing in nice furniture would be appropriate.
They often don't care too much about the playroom decor.
High School
High school kids are very concerned about status.
They want a game room that looks good, not a kiddie playroom for babies.
Involve them in the decorating process when decorating their new game room so they want to hang out there with their friends.
