Okay, so obviously I’m getting ahead of myself here, but as Alex and I start to think about Kennedy rolling around, then crawling soon, then getting to the point where she can independently play and walk out on the yard, we realize that we need a kid-friendly play space. Our house doesn’t really have an ideal space for a playroom, so for now, our living room will do just fine. It works out perfectly since it connects with our backyard that has been completely renewed with a brand new landscape design.

Similar to the space above, I’ve created a play area in the corner of our living room using foam squares.  I scored them at a consignment sale a while back but didn’t realize I’d be using them so soon.

I’ve always (pre-kids obviously) been anti-kid stuff in our living room.  “All of the neon & noisy toys can stay in her room,” I’d say.  But as Kennedy has been rolling over some and bouncing in her bouncer I knew that I needed another solution.  Even if it’s just temporary, she needs a space that’s soft underneath her to jump and roll on.

I am 100% glad that we did this.  It may not be the most attractive look, but for my little girl to get so much joy out of her play mat, it’s worth every neon square.Once Kennedy is older we’ll hopefully have a better space OUTSIDE of the living room that will be a true playroom.

While browsing inspiration pics, these caught my eye:

The giant apple print is my favorite part of the room. A close second are the bright ikat roman shades.  I’d go with white walls and more blues & greens, but it’s good inspiration.

Can you say boy’s playroom?  This gives me the slightest bit of desire to finish our basement.  Okay, maybe not.

These people did a great job with a long, skinny room.  Gotta use what ya got!

I really love how casual this room is.  You know what else I love?  I love that the chalkboard isn’t perfectly drawn on by an amazing artist.  I mean, really…isn’t this what it’s going to look like in real life?  I think so.

Below is my ideal space for a playroom– a big, wide open space that we can put a slide in and the kids can run around & do cartwheels and handstands like I did growing up.  I can guarantee you that if 10 year old Emily was in that basement she’d be doing handstands up against those support beams.

Well that was fun dreaming….so glad I have PLENTY of time before I need to make this project happen!