An attractive playroom

If the kid's play area is not well defined, there is a good chance the entire house will become their playroom. If you have the space to have a playroom, you should look at the challenge from different angles. To make your playroom kid friendly make sure there is an abundance of light and that the room is safe and sound.
Project guide service
Paint calculator
Wallpaper calculator
Drywall calculator
Moulding calculator
Basement framing calculator
Carpet or linoleum
Colour it!
Related Projects
Related Tips
Page 1/1
A safe and sound environment
Lighting that warms up a room
Accessibility
Special needs

A safe and sound environment

Construction and finish of the floors, ceilings, furniture are important to the safety of children. Furniture and storage areas must also be designed and built with ease of access in mind. Therefore, useable floor space becomes more important than bulky furniture. Also, the use of allergy-free floor coverings and shock adsorbing construction materials that soften falls take priority over other factors.

Lighting that warms up a room

When thinking in terms of lighting, you must consider whether there will be sufficient natural light, in the basement, for example, or whether you will need to rely on artificial lighting. And if you are to use artificial lighting, what type it should be.

The choice of lighting is paramount both in terms of its efficiency and of the atmosphere it will create in the room.
  • The fluorescent tube is economical and efficient. Its lighting is not close to natural light and it is well behind other types of lighting when it comes to atmosphere.

  • Halogen lighting covers a relatively small area, compared to fluorescent tubes, radiates a lot of heat and requires careful installation that includes a transformer. It is also more costly than fluorescent lighting.

  • Incandescent lighting (the most commonly used in homes) provides less intensity and coverage than both fluorescent and halogen lighting. On the other hand, it is the warmest of the three.
A combination of fluorescent and incandescent lighting would seem the most efficient for playrooms. You can also accentuate lighting in rooms with little natural lighting by reflecting what light you do get using mirrors, and painting the room in light colours.

Accessibility

Even when it is limited in size, the playroom should, ideally, meet these criteria:
  • Be quickly accessible in case of emergency.
  • Be located close to an exit that leads out of the house in case of fire.
  • Include storage spaces and areas that are easily accessible to children.

Special needs

Before you begin building a playroom, you should consider the needs of the children who will be using it as well as those of other family members.
  • Consider the physical and psychological effects of the colours you plan to use.

  • If a child suffers from serious allergies, you should avoid carpeting and other fabrics and accessories that are likely to aggravate his or her situation. Appropriate heating and ventilation systems that can ensure proper control of temperature, humidity and dust are also important.

  • If you wish to build a multi-purpose room, one that may double as a guestroom, for example, you will need to ensure that everyone be able to enjoy his or her space. Sofa beds can turn the playroom into a guestroom. Or, combined with a computer and home movie unit that will have been discreetly hidden behind moveable screens or in other storage areas during the day, the same sofa bed can contribute to a comfortable family room in the evening.

  • If the playroom is next to the room of a family member who works nights, soundproofing will be critical.
By way of conclusion, please remember that a playroom must evolve with the family's needs. Today's kids are tomorrow's teens. They will want to replace toys with friends with whom to watch television, play electronic games, listen to (often loud) music. The same teens will turn into young adults who may wish to challenge mom and dad to a game of pool or table tennis. Whatever the age of the "kids", there will always be a need for some form of play!
Page 1/1