skip to main content

Home Decorating Design Dilemma Living Room

Layout for combining living room & playroom?

2 years ago

We're trying to transition this (very messy at the moment) room from being only a playroom to more of a shared living/play space. Goals:

-Seating: adding a sofa (and maybe chairs) for reading & conversation

-Storage for toys that is still easily accessible

-Piano needs to stay where it is (for sun, temp, and moisture exposure).

-Books: Definitely want to keep the books in the room, but we're not committed to the current bookshelf

-The wainscotting makes built-ins not an option at this stage.

We painted the room and love the color, and we're considering plantation shutters for the windows. It's really the layout that has us stumped! The basketball goal can go away but most other toys we'd like to keep in the room.

Other than just centering a sofa on the main wall, any other more creative ideas?

Thanks for any thoughts!!

Featured Answer

MB G
Original Author

2 years ago

The boys are almost 3 & 5. When I say accessible, I mean we want things to be on their level, not packed away up high. (Again, we're thinking of the next stage of life, not forever).

The room is about 10 x 15.

And yes, it's a mess right now! Partially because we didn't clean up today and partially because we don't have a place for everything.

I like the idea of multiple tables with storage under them.

Any thoughts on what to do with the toy kitchen if we put more furniture in there?

0

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

Susan
2 years ago
What are the room’s measurements? Child/children’s…how many? Their age(s)?
MB G thanked Susan
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
How old are the kids ? IMO kids toys do not all have to availablre all the time nad if the kids are a bit older some of those toys can be played with in their rooms .You need proper storage so all the toys can be out away at night to create a nice adult space for conversation. There are tons of nice closed storge units that are available but the taller ones will need to be tethered to the wall. This is the first space you see when entering your home not IMO a pleasant look. I need a to scale floor plan and you need to decide how many toys need storage at one time. We had 3 kids and my Dad built the most amazing cabinet/ bench it was made to provid more seating in out LR when we had company but our place was small so the kids did play in the LR but the bech had these great drawers on casters that pulled out from under the bench and all the toys went in there before dinner there were 3 drawers and 3 kids it was always clean up time before dinner and the space was nice for adult company . It seems like the kids do not put stuff away now so you will need to retrain them too.
0
Related Discussions
newbie** Layout ideas for small/ functional Living/Play room!(PIC
Q
Comments (15)
Ok, wasn't gone that long. In the meantime, could you put your sofa on angle toward the tv? Just line it up with the rug. Take your leather chair and place it along the short side of the rug next to the window. If your small table will fit in the corner of the sofa and chair that would be a good place for it. Oh, and if what I think I'm seeing next to the tv(stacked suitcases) you could put those in that corner instead. The decorative key might look good above the cut out to the kitchen...hung long ways. Take down the art print on the wall next to the cutout and arrange a collection of your photos. Try not to go hang any higher than the the print currently is and have the bottom of your last frame hit below the height of the bottom of the cutout. I know this isn't what you were asking for, but while you're planning room layout and the more permanent direction you want to go in...there is no reason you can't try something different with what you have right now.
...See More
Playroom in place of the living room
Q
Comments (132)
I've got the sofa downstairs now. I covered it with what I had on hand - a huge black blanket and a smaller white one. The red thing behind the sofa is a mattress. It's a safe place for the baby to sleep at night (I block the way out). Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy a table and a lamp for the armchair. This part of the living room could be the actual 'living' part, while the other side is dedicated to children and their play. How about some kind of a wall art? I'm sorry, and it probably sounds like I don't know what I want, but I would like this room to look more 'finished'. Do I expect too much? Maybe it would be best to wait for four or five more years and then redesign this space? But can I wait that long? I wish this house was arranged and I didn't have to worry about it all anymore! :( We've been living here for three years now and it upsets me that everything looks so awful. We don't even have a hardwood floor upstairs - just go with carpets on concrete floor. We are currently having a bathroom made, but imagine living all that time with temporary solutions :( There are only a few things that we actually bought for the house - the rest are hand me downs - nothing matches, everything old and not to my style. I'd like to turn this house to home at last. Maybe I should go to ikea, look at those timy flats they have there and order everything there is!!! I'm sorry I just needed to vent :(
...See More
Living Room/Entrance/Playroom Design
Q
Comments (40)
Here is a 3D rendition with several of the suggestions incorporated; for your consideration. Yes the furniture is not exactly like yours but it's the placement that is being presented. The seating area is just as you already have it with a slight adjustment. The world globe is not in the rendering The long bench has been replaced with a cubby with containers in it (dollar store, love it!!) A floor lamp like the one you already have was added Two baskets for toys A storage unit with more containers like one you can find at IKEA; Kallax it believe As you can see the dresser and mirror were moved to the opposite wall to make room for the storage unit.
...See More
Living room/playroom layout
Q
Comments (1)
Flooring will be replaced soon with beige carpeting.
...See More
Related Professionals
Racine Furniture & Accessories · Palm Springs Lighting · Sacramento Window Treatments · Athens Furniture & Accessories · Oshkosh Furniture & Accessories · Mill Valley Furniture & Accessories · Short Hills Furniture & Accessories · Fitchburg General Contractors · Ravenna General Contractors · Van Buren General Contractors · Mount Vernon Interior Designers & Decorators · Carlsbad Furniture & Accessories · Jacksonville Flooring Contractors · Skokie Flooring Contractors · Town and Country Flooring Contractors
Susan
2 years ago
A sofa with matching end tables or coordinating end tables where one option has a lower open shelf so you could fit a large square basket on the shelf for toy storage and one that has closed storage with a shelf for stackable toys/board games. Then a living room chair to the left of the window with a small drink table on the foyer side and a low-slung bookshelf under the window.
0
MB G
Original Author
2 years ago
Thoughts on taking some of this layout? We wouldn't do a sectional or a TV, but could we put a sofa with its back to the entry way? And then artwork over a wall of low shelves, perhaps?
Robeson Design Kids Toy and Playroom Storage Solutions · More Info
njmomma
2 years ago
Is there is a way to divide the room, so that the toys are on one side and sofa for reading and conversation are on another? Thinking ahead, eventually the room will have a desk for homework and board games.

Some inspiration:

Our Work · More Info
mjlb
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Close to what I was thinking... ETA: if more space needed for play, omit the loveseat and put credenza on long wall.
pricklypearcactus
2 years ago
I would float a sofa either facing the window or the entryway with two chairs like @mjlb has drawn. You can then isolate the space behind the sofa as the "play" area with toys, etc. My brother has done this in his living room where there are a few toys tucked behind his sofa facing the entry.
0

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Tips to Combine a Playroom and Guest Room

By Shawn Gauthier

Nurture ABC fun by day and 'Zzzzz' at night with these ideas that cater to both kids and overnight guests

LIVING ROOMS 8 Living Room Layouts for All Tastes

By The Inman Company

Go formal or as playful as you please. One of these furniture layouts for the living room is sure to suit your style

LIVING ROOMS Lay Out Your Living Room: Floor Plan Ideas for Rooms Small to Large

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Take the guesswork — and backbreaking experimenting — out of furniture arranging with these living room layout concepts

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Midcentury Modern Style for a Bright New Living Room

By Karen Egly-Thompson

An open floor plan and clean-lined furniture create an upbeat vibe

THE HARDWORKING HOME Room of the Day: Multifunctional Living Room With Hidden Secrets

By Becky Harris

With clever built-ins and concealed storage, a condo living room serves as lounge, library, office and dining area

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Living Room Refresh Adds Style and Functionality

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A Seattle midcentury modern space lightens up, opens up and gains zones for entertaining and reading

TRENDING NOW 4 Great Ideas From Popular Living Rooms and Family Rooms

By Becky Harris

These trending photos show how designers create living spaces with style, storage and comfortable seating

LIVING ROOMS Living Room Meets Dining Room: The New Way to Eat In

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Banquette seating, folding tables and clever seating options can create a comfortable dining room right in your main living space

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Curiosities Bring Quick Intrigue to a Living Room

By Mary Jo Bowling

From blank box to captivating, exotic concoction, this room goes for the wow factor — and the whole house took just 4 days

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Patience Pays Off in a Midcentury Living-Dining Room

By Annie Thornton

Prioritizing lighting and a bookcase, and then taking time to select furnishings, yields a thoughtfully put-together space

Sponsored

Premier Home Services, Inc

19 Reviews

Loudoun County Complete Turn-Key Contracting Solutions

More Discussions

I’m learning…maybe????

46

Help with large blank wall behind couch

34

Living\Family Room layout advice

37

Advice for decorating entryway

5

Vertically split wall suggestions. HELP!!

2