I use a spring clamp to fasten sheets or blankets or throws to the bunk bed, the ladder, etc. I find that my kids' impromptu installations WILL be left out indefinitely, if I allow it. I can't stand it, for them to be up for a week (since it's in the LR, usually), but I allow them three days. THEN they are required to break it down and put it away. But honestly, the building of it is a huge chunk of the fun. And they don't usually play w/ it on day 3 at all, and sometimes not on day 2. What I *should* do is insist that there's a limit--12 Barbies, 12 stuffed animals, 3 Imaginext castles, or something. So that they don't spend ALL their time setting up and never getting to play.

Am I the only one for which the playroom concept hasn't worked well? In our last house, we had a daylight basement and I painted murals on the walls, made a castle playhouse in a corner and put a swing up in the beam. They did love the swing, but if I wasn't down there, the toys just migrated right upstairs and they were with me. For flooring, I would look at some of Tarkett's no glue vinyl. It has a cushion and has the roads for driving cars. I put the glow in the dark stars floor in my youngest's bedroom. Spills wipe easily and it is easy to change as they grow. I chose this for my oldest two son's bedrooms and it looks like punched metal. Very cool. Remember that if the toys are all over the house (basement, other rooms for games) you will end up chasing them all over the house. I would want to consolidate storage. I really prefer laundry baskets for most toy storage. It allows for easy change and the dump factor is good, while not being deep like a tradional toy chest. My youngest is now 6, but when they were smaller I kept on of those bigger Little Tyke climbing things in the room. See if you can hang a swing from a ceiling beam. By far the best indoor toy. You just have to keep "stuff" out of the swing zone. The blackboard paint sounds fun. You can also leave the windows bare and use glass markers which just wash off. I have found child sized tables don't always allow for enough room for projects. I have a round coffee table which has small chairs I've picked up different places. If I was going to do it again, I would buy a kitchen table at the thrift store and cut down the legs to use as a craft table. It would wipe easier than my coffee table. If you do use any type of bookcases, I wouldn't have them project out from the wall. Be sure and attach them to the wall with L brackets to eliminate the tip factor if someone decides to climb. And mine always have climbed. I made our inside playhouse out of a 4' x 8' piece of plywood. Cut in half and put at a 90 degree angle with L bracket, it went right into a corner. Since I had 2 boys at that time, I cut it so it was shaped like a castle and painted the wall corner to match. They would crawl in there with pillows. At two, I can't think your child will spend much time in there alone, so be prepared to make a corner for yourself with a rocker or comfortable chair. I would also just pick an easy decorating theme. Primary colors is the easiest. So much stuff is really cute, but they grow very fast. A four year old just isn't thrilled with those bunnies like they are at two. I've seen the splattered paint floor idea. You have to leave the plywood subfloor bare and paint in and seal. I wouldn't care for it unless the paint splatters were planned. As part of the decorating, I would pick a spot for a growth chart. Put in on a board or something, so in case you do end up moving you don't have to cut a chunck of the drywall out. I knew someone who actually ended up having to do that because she couldn't leave the pencil marks behind. I had to paint over ours when we moved. Sigh. Have fun! Gloria

B is better, though I'd add a shower to your powder room. Next, take your kitchen plan to the kitchen forum for food for thought. Right now, your proposal is a classic barrier island set up. Totally dysfunctional hip bruiser.

I’m guessing that reference to dads workout/bike area means he’s either a triathlete or cyclist. We’ve got lots of gear! May I suggest some storage for his area? I like those cube storage shelves (ikea, Target, Walmart) all sell them. They are great for storing hand weights, foam rollers, canvas drawers for things like gloves, arm warmers, etc. then make sure you’ve got an outlet nearby. The top of the shelf can be a nice surface for dad’s tablet or phone so he can either watch movies, listen to music on headphones, or just follow along with is training plan while riding. I also like a yoga mat for post ride stretching, etc. (I also place my bike & trainer on top of an old yoga mat. Helps protect the floors and keeps the ride steady.) Not sure if that helps at all, but that’s where my experience is, versus playroom ideas :) Happy planning!