This bright and bold playroom not only accommodates children of different ages and with different interests, but it is also pleasing to the eye, something every parent can appreciate.
Designed by the team at Smart Playrooms and Project Playroom led by founder and CEO Kari Bowen-Poole, this was designed in a home in Scarsdale for boys ages 4 and 7 and a girl aged 12. The task was to create a vibrant and colorful space that all three kids could play in no matter what their interests were.
“The client hailing from Brazil, expressed a desire for a playroom that exuded a bright color palette of blues, maroons, and yellows and also tranquility with light grays and whites,” says Bowen-Poole. “Additionally, the client emphasized the importance of incorporating a range of activities tailored to the diverse interests of her three kids.”
Luckily the team had a blank canvas to work with. This home was newly built, so the basement was large and empty, designed with white walls and neutral, light-wood floors.
All the Smart Playrooms designers and teachers have master’s degrees in education, so they have a true understanding of the developmental needs and interests of children of all ages. They broke the space up into different zones to accommodate these interests and needs.
“Siblings may have different ideas about how they want to play or what they want to do,” says Bowen-Poole. “By providing separate zones, potential conflicts over toys or activities are minimized, promoting a more peaceful play environment.”
In addition to fun and zones for different interests, color was a huge piece of this design. “Our strategic use of certain colors — maroons, blues, yellows, grays, and whites — was important for a variety of reasons,” says Bowen-Poole. “First, we know that bright colors stimulate children’s senses and can encourage creativity and imagination. Secondly, we know that soothing colors like blues and grays promote a sense of tranquility and relaxation.”
These colors were focused on the sensory-rich, active-movement area. “Lastly, we know that a well-balanced mix of color enhances the visual appeal of the space, which makes it inviting for all kids to spend time in,” adds Bowen-Poole.
Adding to the colorful fun and educational elements of this space are the maps and murals, which are all available at projectplayroom.com. The geometric mural fits in perfectly with the rock wall and the twisty slide, while the maps are both artistic — offering a big splash of color — but also educational. The company offers exclusive maps and murals that are stunning and can be customized in different paint colors. You can also source the foam pit, climbing nets, monkey bars, and more from Project Playroom.
And parents don’t need to worry about their kids outgrowing the space. “We always design the spaces to grow with the kids, and we really understand the natural progression and interests over the years of all kids,” says Bowen-Poole.
What is Bowen-Poole’s favorite part? It’s hard to decide, but she says it’s “the sensory zone with the twisty slide and foam pit of course! We also love the tween-girl lounge that slips in a little education/geography on the wall in a cool, hip way,” she adds.
Related: 5 Ways to Stay Engaged With Your Kids During the Work Week
