Because the room looks long and narrow, I would turn the rug and sofa to face the fireplace and make a seating area there and then behind that I would place the kids table, bins, etc. You might want to add another navy rug to that area. Looks like you need an end table and lamp as well.

ACK! I always do this - forget the most important part - how I need this room to function.

I won't be adding lamps/end tables, ottoman or other accent tables to this room. It will purely function as a child's play area. I need a large, open play space, so I don't want to float the couch in the middle of the room. Thank you, though, Liza Jane for your suggestions.

Maybe that's my problem though. Without the fireplace being the focal point, the "open play space" becomes the focal point and since it's just a wide open space, there is nothing to focus on. Hmm...thinking.

Hi I like the room so far! I think I would remove the yellow pillows and replace with a couple of furry white/ivory ones. I don't think you need that extra color there.
I also agree you may want to add another rug. If not another of the same you could overlap/layer with a more neutral. In my kids playroom I have a smaller shag rug layered over a red oriental rug.

Ps having a playroom myself I understand you want to leave the middle open. So more rugs may help - that one is a little small for the space though I really like it.

I like designing spaces for children! I worked in preschools and elementary schools for more than 20 years.

Young children do better with low shelves for toy storage. If you use bins, put a photo of the contents on the outside of the bin. This helps children learn to put their toys away independently (with the "clean up" song and gentle guidance from you). It also helps the baby sitter and relatives who come to play with/mind the children.

I do not see specific areas for different kinds of play in your room. The "coffee table" seems the right height for messy activities such as finger paint, and play dough, but you may need to move it closer to a source of water for clean-up. Get a different floor covering for under the table. One that is easy to clean.

A specific space for dramatic play would be good. Put the toy kitchen and dress-up clothes in the same area.

Is there a reading area? A "quiet" space is often a nice spot for reading, such as the tent in the fourth photo.

All of the photos below are from Houzz, PHOTOS, Kids, "playrooms." I am sorry they do not enlarge on this post. I can attach four at a time.

Target has big rattan floor baskets that could add some texture rustic element. Though I am not getting a modern vibe. It's an eclectic land of nod kind of look.

Sam - I agree - I think the yellow pillows need to be removed.

Any ideas on storage bin colors?

Eztia - Yes, I am working on "stations". I have a felt board/stories I want to mount, and I'm planning on really playing up her kitchen area when I have more time. My daughter loves to play in the kitchen.

I would like a reading nook as well, but I may have to remove the Poang chair in order to do so. I also worry about the hearth. My daughter is stable but gets a little too rowdy sometimes and I think if I created a reading nook in that corner, the pillows would be too much to resist jumping in and accidentally bonking her head. Thanks for the photos and suggestions!

I think I have that exact round basket you're talking about sam - hahah!!

Maybe not modern...I'm terrible at labeling styles. Eclectic/Land of Nod sounds good to me.

How would I add a rug to this space?? In addition to the one I have? Get another the same?

A big rug placed strategically would add flair to your room.

So what I'm hearing is either another rug, or larger rug, correct?

As eztia suggets, you need different areas for different activities. More focused than willie nellie. One of the things my girls loved to do is play dress up. In that spot, a secured mirror and some fun (safe) clothes or costumes would take up some time. Then you can sit on the sofa and read a book. :>)

I think you could add another of the same and turn them horizontally. Or you could get a really big natural fiber rug (sisal?) and layer your current rug over it. (I am a fan of layering I know not everyone is).
I think the green accents are working with your paint color so you could use that for storage bins. I like the strapping ones from land of nod - or 3 sprouts has really cute cube bins with little animals on them.

Layering ideabook

http://houzz.com/ideabooks/287380

Thanks Sam. Yes, the strapping ones from land of nod are on my list. I love the ones from 3 sprouts...hard for me to spring for those!

Hmm...I'll have to think about the layering rugs. Might be a tripped hazard for my little one. But it would look nice. Thanks!

I would define a 4x6 or 5x7 play space on the floor by using a plain color, low pile area rug. This area would be good for doing puzzles, playing with small dolls, and small building blocks. It will help with the children's visual development of "figure-ground." That is, finding the toy on the background of the rug. It will also help you to avoid stepping on a Lego or a Barbie shoe - ouch.

The first photo shows a table dedicated to little cars, with the cars stored on picture rails on the wall

Display the children's artwork. Magnetic wall paint is an option for the "gallery wall."

If your children are active, consider wresting mats.

You may need to build a fence around the fireplace for a while.

I know we're talking about play stations, but I'm kind of out of walls. :/ Any tips on where in this room would work? Without removing the seating?

I do have her artwork displayed on the wall above the Poang Chair. Below that is where I'm thinking of hanging the felt board.

Let me go to Lakeshore Learning and find a piece of storage equipment that might be an inspiration piece for you. Lakeshore Learning is one of the biggest suppliers of school furniture in the USA.

All of these photos are from Lakeshorelearning.com.

The first photo is your "inspiration" photo. It is really two short bookcases on casters, joined with a piano hinge along the inside corner. It can be closed and latched shut if desired. If you arrange it so one short end is against a wall, you have created a square play space with shelves on two sides. The side opposite the one touching the wall can be another play area.

The second photo is a "no climb" book display. Another play area could be on the opposite side, if you put the end of the bookcase against a wall.

The third photo shows a storage unit for dress-up clothes, and has a non-breakable steel mirror. It sits flat on the floor, and is heavy.

I prefer to define areas with furniture placement instead of rugs. It is easier for housecleaning to have only one wall-to-wall carpet to vacuum. One special rug that is for sitting on while playing seems to be enough, speaking from my experiences.

So...I went rug shopping and I'm trying a new one out here in this room and also my foyer (separate thread). Thoughts? I know it's smaller...I'm not sure I want a huge rug on the whole floor.

Etzia - Love that dress up station!!! Thank you!

I love this rug but I prefer the black (navy?) - I think it looked really nice with the wall color.
Where did you get the new rug btw? Looking for something like that...

Hmm...I like both. Can't decide which works better for this space. I like the pop of color that this rug brings down to the floor from the walls. And I feel like it warms the space up, whereas the black/white made it less cozy.

I got it at a local rug dealer. I would be more than happy to email you their information if you're interested.

Hi Kittybart,
Love love love the new rug you purchased...it goes great with the wall color. I know you said previously you do not want to float the couch because you need a large play area, but I am wondering if that would actually help define the centers/spaces for the kids better. From my experience, kids love open spaces, but they also desire some sort of more defined structure to a room. Look in any early childhood classroom and you'll see little areas carved out for the kids. Since it's a kid's room and kids don't have rules :), what if you turn/put the couch either at an angle with the right arm almost touching the wall (close enough so your little ones don't get stuck there) or just put it off center from the fireplace and facing the fireplace and then move the large dark brown/black storage unit/bookshelf behind the couch. Is the storage unit from ikea? If it is, we have one and it is sturdy enough turned on its side that you won't have to worry about little ones toppling it over. Then you would free up the wall space on the right wall as well as the wall space where the large bookshelf/storage unit was and you could put the kitchen set there and then a large bulletin/feltboard in that area...maybe with a small area rug to define the "kitchen" space. In the bookshelf/storage unit you could put books or storage baskets (organized by toy...i.e. blocks in one, train tracks in the other, etc.). On the left side of the fireplace, I like the suggestion of adding some bookshelves and then you could put the puzzles you have on top there as well as some poufs and floor pillows along the wall to the right of the french doors. You could also hang up your feltboard here as well. If you put pillows in this area, you can set some up on the brick of the fireplace to cushion it better (how old is your little one?). As a temporary fix, I have seen people cut those pool noodles in half and put them on the edges of the fireplace to help with the sharp edges. I also like the idea of the magnetic wall to display artwork. Another idea is to take some of your children's/child's artwork and either get it blown up on canvas or put several pieces of artwork behind the panes of a rustic window...if you still want to go rustic this might be a nice touch and then you hang this above the fireplace and change it out as necessary. Whatever you chose to do, you have lucky kids!!

Barnhart Gallery has got the ticket - Like the pez poster as a focal point poster - frame it in a new standard black poster size frame and fill the difference with huge custom art mat on it in bright yellow from the piece so it pops off the white. Use both rugs - turned sideways with bright color in foreground area and monochromatic before fire area.
Only color problem I see is slipcover - needs to be denim or navy from rug - color clashes with orange wall. Rit dye to rescue.

Barnhart - that looks really great. I love the bookshelf idea.

I cannot find that print large enough online! :( I spent over an hour looking and I just can't seem to find it (hardly at all) but definitely not in that size!

I love the idea you've come up with though. I could probably find another piece of vintage art to coordinate with oranges and blues.

Also, my slipcover is polyester unfortunately so I can't dye it. I might have to find another one.

Jennifer - those are all great ideas. I might even be tempted to try the couch out that way. Thank you!

Dumbo

If your local copy store can't enlarge that for you (as they'd want copyright verification) you could use it alongside a few of these, with your favorite ordered large:
http://www.art.com/gallery/id--g207263/posters.htm?ui=A06ACFDF997F4523AA053252509AD70E&SSK=orange blue vintage poster&sby=all&searchstring=orange+blue+vintage+poster

I like Naranja Bilz and Mandarin :)

Ok houzzers. You spoke and I listened. We LOVE the furniture configuration this way. Sorry it's messy/cluttery.

Barnhart - those are perfect. I like them better than the Space Man actually. Thank you!

I think it looks great! Well on your way to a fantastic playroom! btw, what's the wall color?

Thanks Jennifer! It's Sherwin Williams Papaya. I love it! So much fun!

love the pool

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