Basement playroom/media room layout ideas please!

taranator N

6 years ago

We have a nice open area to work with, but can't decide where to put things!

The area that I am talking about is labelled 'media room' in the image.

We would like it to have:

1 - a TV and a couch area (sectional?)

2 - 2 exercise machines and a

3 - a toy storage/play zone.

The windows are all very high and shouldn't affect the TV placement. I am imagining the TV mounted on the wall backing onto the bathroom. My husband thinks it should go on another wall. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

Kristin S

6 years ago

I’m with your husband - I think if you put it on that wall the seating area will feel like it’s in a traffic way and not particularly cozy. I’d probably do either:

1) playroom directly across from the stairs, tv either on the lower end of the long wall or under the three smaller windows, and exercise equipment tucked away in the corner; or

2) exercise equipment across from the stairs, playroom in the lower right corner, and tv tucked around the corner in the lower left corner.

To me #2 creates the coziest-feeling tv spot, but puts the exercise equipment on display, so to speak. #1 tucks the exercise equipment out of the way and puts the playroom near the office/bathroom/stairs, making it easier for younger children to feel close to adults while playing and for parents to keep an eye on older ones.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

frenchtarragon
6 years ago
I'm going to side with DH on this one. If you mount the TV on the bathroom wall, then you'd have to put the couch directly opposite it, which would break up the room and make it feel cramped. I might mount the TV on the stair wall with a sectional in the bottom left corner. That corner also has the least natural light, which makes for a better viewing experience, and is farthest from the office to minimize noise issues. You could put a rug with toy shelving in the bottom right and the 2 exercise machines near the bathroom wall (I'm assuming you're referring to ellipticals/bikes rather than multifunction exercise machines that take up a ton of floor space).
taranator N thanked frenchtarragon
Related Discussions
Dining Room to Play room - non-kidsy temporary toy storage
Q
Comments (54)
We did go with Ikea, the expedit. I LOVE them! I keep bugging DH to go back and get a couple more for our basement. I think they are great storage. I did think about using some of my DR furniture for storage and keeping it, but I just didn't think it would work for me. There are doors they make for the Expedits and some people paint them. There are amazing pics all over pinterest. I saved some to my playroom board and have it linked below, but there are so many good ideas. Here is a link that might be useful: Playroom pics
...See More
Basement Playroom
Q
Comments (54)
While we continue to contemplate flooring, we are moving on to the paint. We have decided to paint the back wall (below the two windows) black, the shelving will be white, topped with a stained board to pull everything together. (See inspiration picture from Bless ‘er House below) We’re going with Sherwin Williams Caviar black. Will paint that same black on the banister. Anyone have a coordinating white color recommendation to make for the walls and the spindles of the banister? I was thinking high reflective white - will that be too white for the walls? Painter due to come on Tuesday. Any input is appreciated!
...See More
Cork flooring in the basement play room?
Q
Comments (7)
First things first: cork is a rigid structure. it is still wood...it's just the softest hardwood in the world. It will not squish. It will not visibly compress when you step on it. What it will do is absorb the energy of a foot step. That means when the foot hits the cork, the leg's energy (all of your weight on the heal of your foot = ?150? lbs/square inch???) will be absorbed. The jolt of hitting the floor will be deadened. That means the jolt of the ground hitting the foot (remember: for each action there is an equal and opposite reaction15) 0lbs/sq. inch coming down onto the floor is going to be the same energy going UP the leg. That's the type of jolt that damages feet, ankles, knees, hips, lower back, mid-back, upper back, shoulders and neck. Every step you take on cork is going to be the same (on the body) as stepping on plush carpet. You won't 'sink' like you do over carpet but the cork will do the same thing. That's why people purchase cork. It is a solid surface (just like hardwood, laminate or vinyl) that treats your body like carpet does. Cork underlayment will add to this energy absorption. The more the merrier in my books. Generally I like to stick to 6mm cork underlayment with 1/2" cork floating floor (11mm or 12mm). That gives you 3/4" floor height which works nicely with doors and trim. It works nicely with stone/porcelain tiles in entranceways (they often sit 3/4" high). Adding a 'squishy' underlayment is going to do one thing: cause the floor to bounce and buck (most people hate this feeling...but if you like walking on a trampoline then perhaps it is what you are looking for). A squishy underlay (like foam = almost useless compared to cork) will also cause the click edge to fail much faster than if you had a solid underlay like 6mm cork. Colorado is a cold location. I would not hesitate to use the 6mm cork underlayment in your situation. Remember: cork is an insulator. Like your thermos, it keeps 'warm things warm' and 'cold things cold'. There is no difference between your thermos and a cork floor. Insulation is insulation. Warm air lingers LONGER in the winter heating season. And in the summer cooling season the cold air in the basement will REMAIN cold for much longer.
...See More
Styling/storage ideas for a kids “play room” off the front entry?
Q
Comments (12)
Congratulations. It looks like a wonderful home to raise your family. The most important thing is that they are playing happily and safely where you can easily interact with them and supervise them. This is their home and they are doing the important and wonderful work of play. So for these ages the basement does not work. A 2 year old (and even the 4 year old) need to be on the same floor level as the supervising adult, and your main floor room is ideal for that purpose. I would not close off the room too much. Maybe a curtain across the opening is all that you need. You need to hear what's going on. Or sometimes an unnatural silence is a clue that you need to pop your head in to investigate! Paint one wall with blackboard paint - it comes in many colours! There are lots of ideas on the internet for organizing smaller items (Duplo, books, puppets, stuffed animals/dolls, pretend hats/clothes). My granddaughters (ages 2 and 6) are often here and I have their things in heavy canvas bags with handles, the kind that you'd put beach stuff in. Some bags go in open cubbies and some into an armoire. It's easy to dump the bag somewhere to play, and then remind the children that one bags gets filled up and put away before a different bag gets dumped. https://mnmomma.com/ikea-toy-storage-hacks/ I love this idea! https://www.amazon.ca/Large-Children-Football-Organizer-Storage/dp/B01JLVC7NG/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B01JLVC7NG&psc=1 Or this one https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Toy-Storage-Organizer-Play-Mat-Outdoor-Basket-Large-Drawstring-Portable-Container-Bins-Floor-Activity-Kids-Room-Classroom-Gray/33XMDXW9HR61 I've seen deep old TV armoires repurposed very attractively as children's play places with lots of storage. https://thethriftycouple.com/5-ideas-to-repurpose-furniture-into-creative-play-for-kids/ Things like riding cars etc are more in-your-face but no less important for a child's development. This solution would work indoors too - a table with a curtain as the garage door. https://ourhousenowahome.com/2016/07/hide-kids-outdoor-toys-diy-storage-solution.html Enjoy that toys are part of your life now and don't stress that your house doesn't look like a sterile furniture store advertisement. If I walked into your house and the first thing I saw was your children's play area I'd think "Wow, what a wonderful family to grow up in!"
...See More
er612
6 years ago
taranator N thanked er612
taranator N
Original Author
6 years ago
There is something nicer about having the TV area tucked into the corner, but it does make us 'display' our exercise equipment which is not so lovely (bike and eliptical). Thanks guys, food for thought!
taranator N
Original Author
6 years ago
...wow. ER612, that could work too.
er612
6 years ago
A few more...
taranator N thanked er612
One Devoted Dame
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Whatever you decide to do, I would, personally, want the toys as far away from the stairs as possible for safety reasons, and tucked into that lower left corner to keep them out of sight when the area gets a bit messy. :-)

Of the layouts proposed by ER, my favorite is in the latest batch of 4 (upper left quadrant), right above my post, except I'd put the toys where the exercise equipment is, and have the exercise stuff by the stairs/bathroom wall. I especially like the symmetry of the TV/furniture arrangement with the windows.
taranator N thanked One Devoted Dame
chispa
6 years ago
Do you want to be able to watch TV when using the eliptical and bike?

I watch series/netflix, which keeps you wanting to come back to exercise the next day to watch the next episode!
Jay Walsh
6 years ago
@er612 sorry to hijack but could you do a similar drawing for my basement? https://i.imgur.com/yMbbop3_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium. We are looking to fit a storage room by the HVAC,a gym, a media room (potential projector), and a family room with seating, as well as a bar.
taranator N
Original Author
6 years ago
Hey Jay - I like what ER is doing too! Hope that they can help you. :)

I like option #2, and option #3. Interesting because I hadn't thought of option #3.
sprink1es
6 years ago
I think the bottom left nook makes the most sense for a play area. If you had no play area, then I'd use it for tv/couch area.

IMO for a TV, I never want a window over/close to it or else it messes with my eyes and ruins the TV picture. Same thing with a glare, don't want a window behind you to reflect off the TV. That's my ideal opinion, otherwise there's always curtains!
taranator N
Original Author
6 years ago
I know what you are saying sprink1es, but in our case I am sure that the TV will be mainly used at night when the windows shouldn't have any impact. After much thought, I think I would rather hide the exercise equipment from view when first coming down the stairs, so that makes #2 the winner for us! We will also have blinds on all the windows, so that we have the option to watch TV comfortably during the day.

Basement playroom/media room layout ideas please!

Kristin S

Comments (12)

frenchtarragon

Related Discussions

er612

taranator N
Original Author

taranator N
Original Author

er612

One Devoted Dame

chispa

Jay Walsh

taranator N
Original Author

sprink1es

taranator N
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Basement playroom/media room layout ideas please!

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

taranator NOriginal Author

taranator NOriginal Author

taranator NOriginal Author

taranator NOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

taranator N
Original Author

taranator N
Original Author

taranator N
Original Author

taranator N
Original Author