Shared Spaces: Incorporating Your Kids' Toys Into Your Living Area
Accommodate toys in common spaces around your home, without sacrificing on style with these clever ideas
Most homes don’t have the luxury of a dedicated playroom away from the main living area, so when you’re a parent, how do you incorporate the ever-expanding number of toys into your space without compromising on your grown-up interior style? These clever storage ideas and design techniques will help you combat your fear of all things bright and plasticky and embrace them with a hint of fondness. The key is to make toys work with your current furniture and space rather than letting them overshadow your lovely look.
Encourage a love of books from an early age by combining your novels with your kids’ storybooks. If they love drawing, add a couple of box files to the cubby shelves so you can keep control of artwork. They are also a great spot for storing chunky board games.
Dedicate a corner of the room
You might not have a separate playroom, but you could still create a dedicated ‘play corner’ in your living room. A playful wall mural is a great way of defining the kiddie spot, while small-scale furniture will encourage little ones to stick to their zone rather than spreading their mess around the rest of the room.
You might not have a separate playroom, but you could still create a dedicated ‘play corner’ in your living room. A playful wall mural is a great way of defining the kiddie spot, while small-scale furniture will encourage little ones to stick to their zone rather than spreading their mess around the rest of the room.
Embrace their creative side
Creating a whole chalkboard wall in your living space might seem like a brave move (particularly as it could encourage the kids to draw on undesignated surfaces!), but if firm rules are in place, this is a brilliant way of keeping them entertained without having to assist or supervise. And it can be easily reversed back to a trendy black wall when it’s adult time. But best to check with the kids before you clean off their creations, and you could take a quick phone snap to record their doodles.
Creating a whole chalkboard wall in your living space might seem like a brave move (particularly as it could encourage the kids to draw on undesignated surfaces!), but if firm rules are in place, this is a brilliant way of keeping them entertained without having to assist or supervise. And it can be easily reversed back to a trendy black wall when it’s adult time. But best to check with the kids before you clean off their creations, and you could take a quick phone snap to record their doodles.
Make space for crafters
If both you and your little ones like making things, then equip your craft table for other users so the mess is kept to one area. Stationery is respected more when it’s stored in user-friendly tubs and paper can be kept under control in neat pigeon holes.
If both you and your little ones like making things, then equip your craft table for other users so the mess is kept to one area. Stationery is respected more when it’s stored in user-friendly tubs and paper can be kept under control in neat pigeon holes.
Fit in versatile furniture
Even the smallest of homes can cope with toy chaos, it just takes some careful planning. Consider every unused spot in the house and how it could help your cause. Do you have space under a window that could be turned into bench seating with storage? Or maybe space on the back of a door to hang hooks for dress-up costumes?
Even the smallest of homes can cope with toy chaos, it just takes some careful planning. Consider every unused spot in the house and how it could help your cause. Do you have space under a window that could be turned into bench seating with storage? Or maybe space on the back of a door to hang hooks for dress-up costumes?
Consider adapting an already built-in unit to combine the needs of your mini Picasso. A pull-out desk is a brilliant way of providing a dedicated drawing or homework spot that can be tucked out of sight when not in use, while cubby-hole shelving can be used for neatly storing school books and craft projects.
Never underestimate the power of the basket
Wicker, paper, felt or straw; whatever the material, a basket is your secret weapon for keeping on top of toy clutter in your living space. They make clearing up so easy and can be tucked next to sofas or under coffee tables to become part of the grown-up scheme when the kids are in bed.
Sneaky ways to stash your stuff
Wicker, paper, felt or straw; whatever the material, a basket is your secret weapon for keeping on top of toy clutter in your living space. They make clearing up so easy and can be tucked next to sofas or under coffee tables to become part of the grown-up scheme when the kids are in bed.
Sneaky ways to stash your stuff
Make them a feature
Toys are colourful by nature so embrace this fun aspect and make them part of your shelf display to create a quirky arrangement.
Toys are colourful by nature so embrace this fun aspect and make them part of your shelf display to create a quirky arrangement.
A doll’s house is visually fascinating and appealing and makes an eye-catching feature in any space.
Try teaming grown-up accessories with kiddy bits to add an unconventional touch to shelves or mantels.
Large wall maps are a great decorating device for adding a fun and playful aspect into a grown-up space, while still allowing the room to feel cool and funky.
TELL US
Do you have any clever ideas for incorporating toys into your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below
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Spaces for kids
Stories on designing for your child
TELL US
Do you have any clever ideas for incorporating toys into your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below
MORE
Spaces for kids
Stories on designing for your child
Storage is the most important factor to consider when combining toys with your living space. Most of us already live with some kind of dresser or shelving, so try repurposing these spaces and packing away the glassware or magazines in favour of the toys. Open cubby shelving is ideal for toys as it will hold an abundance of stuff, plus you can keep it looking relatively neat with dedicated baskets or boxes.
Creative toy storage ideas