Cary Bernstein Architect Eureka Valley ResidenceContemporary Kids, San Francisco

I always love when rooms include someplace that tells the kids they are welcome. Cubbies like these, incorporated into a built-in and filled with a comfy blanket and favorite toys, create such a welcoming place. Adding a blackboard is another way to give children a place to express themselves, and is a vast improvement over dealing with permanent markers on walls.

1. Provide space for spreading out. It's tempting to try to control messes by limiting play space to certain corners of the house. But giving children the freedom and flexibility to spread out and play with abandon can be liberating for them. Use cubbies, storage bins and other organizers to keep the mess under wraps when playtime is done. But every now and then, embrace the chaos!

6. Become invisible. Hide-and-seek never gets old. My youngest son was particularly good at this game. One time he stood behind a curtain perfectly still for 30 minutes. We couldn't find him anywhere until I heard him giggling.

5. Tidy up kids' spaces. Even though it might not stay clean for long, it's worthwhile to make the effort and get your children's play space under control before the holidays. Using organization techniques that'll encourage kids to put things away may help the space stay tidy — at least until the end of the day. 5 ways to keep your children's toys tidy

Add a special zone to keep kids occupied. If you have little ones at home, it's worth it to make an extra effort to make the office kid-friendly. Sure, in an ideal world, we would just close the door and everyone would not bother us — but as any parent knows, that's just not how it works.Consider adding these kid-friendly features to your office:Chalkboard or chalkboard wallPlayhouse or play cupboard that children can climb intoChild-height activity table and chairsComfy rugBaskets or bins of toys or art suppliesPlay kitchen

Seek functional pieces that don’t look too childlike. A playroom doesn't have to look like a chaotic kindergarten classroom. Keep in mind that most basements are one big open room, meaning a playroom is going to be adjacent to a TV room or even a bar area. “If the playroom is sharing space with the adult section of the basement, try to select furnishings that almost look like an extension of the adult area,” says Wolfe. “Kid-size craft tables and chairs have come a long way from bubble gum style to cool, mini-me pieces.”

Get as much off the floor as possible. Kids want room to play! An open space will mean a safer place to play and fewer things to get dirty or ruined.Magnetic whiteboards and chalkboards give kids an easy-to-clean art space that's fun and eco-friendly. There's no paper waste here! Making it magnetic turns it into an instant bulletin board for displaying other art.

Play space. If space permits, dedicate a room for your children's playthings. When children have a place to call their own, they tend to migrate there.

Big built-ins hide all manner of games—and even a kid or too.

Ah! The magic of chalkboard paint. Paint out a wall, then add oodles of storage for art supplies and toys. Voila! Kid's paradise.

I like the idea of a table they can do crafts, draw or do legos at.

Feature wall to convert back to dining room

Yes Lisa,,ajmmmmmjinklklkl trujkmjuoippjj ftwTy cubic vyg,koi. In King. G..job,,