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?

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.
Related Discussions
Step up/down to a playroom or dining room?
Q
Comments (15)
One more vote to explore raising the ceiling instead of lowering the floor. In addition to lowering your home's value and making it a "definite no" to a lot of future buyers, you would make your house more dangerous to young children, older visitors and completely off-limits to anyone with accessibility issues. I live with brain injury I sustained at age 32 caused by tripping. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time, but it ended my career, as well as any potential to do anything else. It wouldn't take much for a guest to trip and crack their head. Would you be able to live with that if they sustained the damage I did? Could you afford the lawsuit that might be leveled against you? The increase in your homeowner's insurance if they knew you had that danger in your house? PLEASE don't do this. I apologize for the strong response. I just can't stand the thought of someone living with the headaches, vertigo, nausea, blurry vision, memory loss, etc. etc. I face every day. Especially if it can so easily be avoided.
...See More
Awkward living dining combo with playroom/office
Q
Comments (11)
Hi Susan! That seems like a really long room- def. a challenge. Do you feel like you can spilt it?... let’s say the sitting area toward the window, and the dining toward the kitchen/bar? If that’s possible, then I sketched out an idea... Swing the sofa to the center as the divider. Either use the sofa you have (it may be too large/wide for now, scoot it to the left side) or find a two cushion love seat. The coffee table in front. The rocker in the corner. Move the charger from the entryway to the right side wall... (that cleans up that entry too). The dining table- if round now- might work in the dining space. Personally I love stools at bar height spaces, and they take up less space visually. The entry area with the sconces and the mirror will be less cluttered... maybe find a low seated storage bench? I didn’t see much in the playroom area- but that beautiful ladder shelf could work in the sitting area, maybe? If not, I’d at least move it away from the window a bit, better spacing. Maybe? ...just some ideas! I’m working on the kids room myself... and a wine bar area... and a library... and a guest room... and an office!! So doing a LOT of idea work too!
...See More
functional tv playroom dining design dilemma
Q
Comments (62)
Since the dining table + play area will likely be changing over time, I'd put the large piece of art over the sofa, where it has the best light. For the dining + play area, I'd suggest installing a picture rail at ceiling height, then hanging the pictures from it. That will let you move things around as your needs change, without filling your walls with holes. Maybe row of black and white photos, not too small, would look good across that wall. You can buy all sorts of systems and hooks. https://www.decoraid.com/blog/best-picture-rails
...See More
Need Floorplan Help! Bedroom/Nursey/Office/Playroom
Q
Comments (1)
Lovely view. I think the bed and the crib are in the best places already. Try moving the tea getting ready station under the window behind your desk. Or on the end of your desk near the window. That way it is out of the way of you and the little one. Place the babies changing station/dresser along the same wall as crib, where the soft chair is now. Move the soft chair in front of your desk under the window at an angle facing view out slider and room. Put a beautiful rug in front of the slider, it will delineate the play/lounging space in front of desk. Properly use (one or more depending on your needed amp load) high quality power strip with surge protection for the computer and other office equip (mounted on the desk not under it for safety) and turn them all off before bed. https://shedheads.net/power-strip-buyer-guide No or a very limited number of plants and only on a desk or dresser not on the floor in pots.
...See More
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.
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.

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

More Discussions

Hanging some Art in Dining area and misc

29

Help with sidelight design

10

Finished Master Bath Pix (well 98.9% finished)

36

Dining room update

20

kitchen mixing metals

8