There’s a small room at the top of the stairs I haven’t shown you yet.
Welcome to our playroom!
If you’ve been following for a while you know I care for two of my granddaughters during the day: Miss M, who is almost nine, and Miss K, who is three. Early on I realized we needed a dedicated space where they could play, create, and read—a playroom that’s bright, organized and child-friendly.
This room combines upcycled finds from Goodwill, practical Ikea storage solutions, and a few simple DIY projects. I put the space together before I started blogging, so here’s a clear tour of what I did and why these ideas work for a family playroom.
Storage is the backbone of any functional playroom. Two Ikea cube units with plastic bins are perfect for corralling small toys that seem to multiply overnight. The white table and dry-erase/magnetic board in the room were Goodwill finds that I painted to coordinate with the colors in the space. Small white Ikea chairs and a Wall pocket from HomeGoods help keep art supplies accessible. The clear jar on the shelf holds uncooked pasta—an inexpensive favorite for the girls’ art projects.
A dedicated art display makes their creations feel important. For a simple gallery I painted a length of leftover moulding, ModPodged scrapbook paper onto clothespins, and glued them to a wooden strip—an easy project that turns their artwork into a rotating display.
I also installed a roll of drawing paper on a towel bar so they have a seemingly endless supply for drawing and craft time. Keeping materials visible and within reach encourages creativity and reduces the “I don’t know what to do” moments.
A lovely piece of artwork by my step-daughter, Ms. B, adds a personal touch and inspired some of the room’s color choices. I showed her a picture of owl art I liked and suggested a color palette; she created this charming piece that fits perfectly here. Nearby, owl bookends from Kirkland’s add a playful accent.
Every little girl needs a dress-up corner. I removed the closet door to save space and hung a curtain on the left side so costumes and gowns are easy to grab. A Craigslist mirror I painted, dollar-store princess stickers, a Goodwill crown hanger, and a few clearance finds from HomeGoods complete the area and make it feel special without being expensive.
A comfortable club chair creates a cozy reading nook that encourages early literacy—something their mom, Ms. JB, has always supported. For small toys like Barbies and Polly Pockets, I use inexpensive rolling drawer stacks: simple, affordable, and ideal for sorting tiny accessories.
The fabric I used for the valance set the color scheme for the room. I mixed four different fabrics for a playful look and even covered a lampshade with matching fabric to unify the space. The ceiling is painted a pale blue—I love painting ceilings a soft color—and I picked up a gallon in the Lowe’s oops section to save money.
A Goodwill table and chairs set originally in natural pine became the centerpiece. To pull the fabrics into the room even more, I painted a white rectangle on the table and transferred the fabric pattern with tracing paper. We filled in the design with acrylic paints and sealed the top with a durable coat—this was a fun collaborative project I did with Miss M.
The result is a colorful, well-organized playroom that balances upcycled bargains and thoughtful DIY. It’s a space where two generations can play, craft, and read together. And yes—on any given day it’s likely to be a delightful mess. Keeping it real: that’s part of the charm of a family playroom.