It's done! Baby has grown up and the children's toys have taken over the whole house. It's high time to think about creating a playroom. This is possible, even in small homes.

The playroom, their own corner

Logically, we tend to think that children will play "peacefully" in their bedrooms, and that their many toys will have their rightful place there. But this is often an illusion! Have you noticed that cuddly toy lying around on the sofa, that little red lorry in the dining room, that doll on the kitchen table? Well, yes, our children like to stay close to us and, in any case, we also like to share time with them, even if it means letting ourselves be invaded. The creation of a playroom or play area can meet every need. In the absence of an extra room, this is usually done in the living room.

A children's corner, yes, but how? It's actually quite simple. All you have to do is to mark out a special area in the living room for children and to mark the "border" with wall paint, floor coverings, carpets, cushions, or even a platform. A hut, a teepee or a tent can also become a cocoon for the child or children. The most important thing is to ensure that the child feels comfortable there and that this corner meets his or her tastes - install his or her favourite books and cuddly toys there from the start - so that he or she adopts it.

A few extra precautions should be taken. The idea here is to create a space in the spirit of a shared room. Your child's little world should not encroach on yours. This means on the one hand that the size of the play area should be balanced in relation to the surface area of the room, and on the other hand that its decoration should be adapted to that of the room, including the colours.

Finally, remember to making your home safe for your child and in particular the playroom where your child will be less supervised than in the other rooms.

Creating a fun and practical games room

The question of matching colours to the adult décor does not arise if you are lucky enough to have a dedicated room for a playroom. On the contrary, opt for playful colours, yellow, blue, green, etc. The playroom is of course the space that all children dream of, and often their parents as well. It can be set up in a small room such as an office, on a mezzanine, in the attic... With two bedrooms and two young children, you can also opt for a shared room, dedicated exclusively to rest, and a second room transformed into a playroom.

In any case, and whatever your tastes and those of your children, you need to think practical. Anything goes when it comes to decorating, as long as you have sturdy, low-maintenance floor coverings... and washable wall paint! By definition, children will have a field day here. You can also let your imagination run wild, for example by creating a playroom with a pirate, princess or adventurer theme. But don't forget that our children grow up quickly - and so do their desires.

The importance of storage

For the peace of mind of the whole family, if there is a secret to designing a playroom, it lies in the storage space, whether it is located in a common room or separately. Bins, chests, shelves or other items, you will inevitably have to multiply them so that this corner does not turn into a vast mess. These storage units should of course be at child height so that your children can access their belongings freely and at the same time develop their sense of order.