Style is child’s play

Playrooms — they were once a hidden area parents could stash all the kids’ toys in to keep the rest of the home stylish and pristine.

You might recall a cluttered mess of clashing colours and favourite toys littered across the floor that you would artfully steer guests away from.

But the playroom has grown up. It has matured into a stylish minimalist haven that delights adults as much as children.

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While a minimalist playroom could be described as an oxymoron — because any parent will tell you there is nothing minimalistic about kids and their toys — it is possible with clever styling. The results are Instagram-worthy.

Minted Interiors founder Tess Beagley says Scandi styling with vintage accents is trending in playrooms.

“A sleeker, more modern minimal style is trending now for the edgy mini-me, using blond timbers, monochrome and pops of colour,” she says.

Combining this look with vintage accents achieves a gorgeous eclectic children’s style, she adds.

There’s something pretty magical about that old-world whimsical vintage vibe in children’s spaces and this trend is very popular right now.

A common mistake parents make when creating a playroom is making it too cutesy and gimmicky, reveals Ms Beagley.

She suggests avoiding licensed décor or anything too themed.

“If little Tom likes dinosaurs, instead of going for a dinosaur duvet, rug, curtains and toys, just display one or two key dinosaur pieces which also have a great design aesthetic to contribute to the space,” she adds.

Ms Beagley says playrooms need to be practical but that doesn’t have to equate to boring.

“Every practical need is an style opportunity to show off colour and design,” she explains.

Storage

Storage is the cornerstone of any great playroom. It prevents mess and clutter and helps keep the room minimalistic.

But forget those big, clumpy plastic boxes you used to find in playrooms. Now the storage itself lends style to the room.

“Use fun coloured baskets for toys/sports equipment. Go for well-designed drawers to store clothes and display beautiful books with style-savvy storage options, like the perspex book ledges by Mint Rhapsody. Use retro tins to store small toys and wooden wall hooks to hang bags and hats,” Ms Beagley recommends.

The buying team in kids general merchandise at Kmart say investing in storage solutions is the best way to keep toys and other special items safe, tidy, and hidden from sight.

“This will make the space much safer for your little ones too! We recommend storage units and shelves, as well as storage ottomans — as these will help make your playroom more functional,” the Kmart team add.

‘Use your imagination! You can create fun, safe hideaways that your kids will absolutely love, using forts and teepees — and these can be glamped up using lights, and textures. Adding floor cushions and throw blankets will also help to make the space warm and more inviting.’

DESIGNER TIPS

Minted Interiors founder Tess Beagley offers the following tips to create a playroom Pinterest dreams are made of:

Create zones. Consider how the room will be used and create zones to accommodate activities — perhaps a reading nook with a beanbag, cushion and bookshelf display or a drawing and activity station, using a beautifully designed timber kid’s table and stool combination.

Allocate your budget wisely. Spend a large portion on a statement piece like beautifully framed artwork or a great quality floor rug and then consider more affordable options for remaining pieces. When choosing cheaper pieces go for well-designed items with a great aesthetic.

Compromise but don’t cave. Compromise but don’t cave to your child’s every whim. If little Sally likes ponies, instead of going for a pony duvet cover or pony curtains, invest in some beautiful collectable wooden pony figurines to display. Specific interests often change.

Choose timeless materials. Select quality pieces made from timeless materials such as light-tone timbers and metals. These pieces are often a big investment but will see you through many years of use and interior trends if you choose wisely. This goes for toys as well.

Choose pieces you love. Listen to your interior instincts, nail down your colour palette and then choose pieces you love, which fit within the scheme. If you choose pieces you adore, which work within your colour palette, you will love the space for years.

Don’t feel chained to one style. Children’s rooms should be playful and fun, and eclectic styles can bring joy and interest. There are plenty of styles that can work together, such as retro and Scandinavian, vintage, contemporary and classic. The trick is to collect beautiful pieces that you and your child will love but don’t overdo it. Always edit out pieces that aren’t contributing something amazing to the space.