Transforming a Balcony into a Dream Kids’ Playroom: Our Inspiring Before & After Reveal
Every parent dreams of a dedicated space where children can explore, create, and simply be kids. For us, that dream involved transforming an underutilized balcony into a vibrant and functional kids’ playroom. This comprehensive guide shares our journey, packed with easy DIY ideas, clever playroom storage hacks, and a custom-built kids’ activity table that brings our vision to life. Get ready to be inspired by our playroom’s incredible before-and-after transformation!
When we first moved into our new home, a particular balcony area presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Overlooking our living room, it felt somewhat disconnected and visually outdated. While one corner already housed our newly updated wet bar makeover, the majority of the space remained undefined, waiting for its true purpose to emerge.
Designing a playroom that met all our needs – being modern, highly functional, and most importantly, affordable – took careful planning. We’ve always been drawn to the charm and comfort of a cozy reading nook or a spacious window seat. Our primary goal for this playroom was to capture that inviting ambiance, creating a designated haven for our children.
Instead of investing a substantial amount in custom-built furniture or expensive cabinetry, we opted for a smart, budget-friendly solution: creating faux built-in storage using a combination of Ikea Besta and Ikea Kallax units. This approach made perfect sense for our family, as we recognized that our children would eventually outgrow the “baby and toddler stage,” requiring furniture that could adapt or be easily modified without a huge financial commitment. The affordability was a significant bonus!
Playroom Renovation and Key Sources
While the exciting design details were our focus, the foundation of this transformation was expertly handled by our contractor. Genesis CP took on the significant task of removing the old, worn carpet and replacing it with stunning Stuga Studio Elderberry wood flooring. This instantly elevated the space, providing a clean, durable, and aesthetically pleasing surface that could withstand the rigors of child’s play while still looking sophisticated.
In addition to the flooring, they skillfully updated the stair railing, replacing the dated balusters with a fresh, modern mismatched design that added character and contemporary flair. To complete the structural refresh, we swapped out an old, inefficient ceiling fan for a stylish gold and white fan that we absolutely adore. These initial renovations by the contractors provided us with a beautiful, clean slate, ready for our creative kids’ playroom ideas to take shape.
Smart Kids’ Playroom Storage Ideas
Anyone with children knows that effective storage is paramount in maintaining a semblance of order. If you’ve followed our previous projects, particularly our toddler girl’s bedroom makeover, you’ll know our dedication to maximizing the potential of affordable kids’ furniture pieces. For this playroom, our main objective was to create abundant and discreet storage solutions. We needed ample space to neatly tuck away everything from dolls and Star Wars figures to their beloved DIY Flamingo ring toss yard game, ensuring that the room could transition from energetic play to a calm retreat in moments.
Beyond simply hiding toys, we also envisioned a truly cozy and inviting space where adults could comfortably recline and observe the children playing, or where kids could snuggle up with a good book. This dual need for extensive storage and a comfortable lounging area directly informed our decision to integrate a daybed into our faux built-in design, creating a versatile hub for relaxation and organization.
Ikea Pieces Used to Create Faux Built-In Cabinets
To achieve the look and functionality of custom built-in cabinets without the exorbitant cost, we strategically combined several IKEA pieces into a cohesive system. This clever IKEA hack transformed standard furniture into a seamless, integrated storage and seating solution.
- The Foundation: The IKEA Brimnes Daybed. Our design began with the versatile IKEA Brimnes daybed. This piece served as the central element, offering a comfortable lounging spot and valuable under-bed storage with its two integrated drawers. It instantly provided that sought-after reading nook feel.
- Side Cabinets: IKEA Besta Frames. Flanking either side of the daybed, we assembled two of the 47-inch Besta cabinets. These modern, clean-lined units seamlessly extended the visual length of the daybed, creating the ‘built-in’ effect and adding substantial concealed storage.
- Vertical Storage: IKEA Kallax Shelf Units. For additional vertical storage and display, we stacked Kallax shelf units on top of the Besta cabinets. To make these even more functional, we incorporated Kallax drawer inserts into the bottom rows of both units. These drawers are perfect for organizing smaller items like stickers, art paper, crayons, and other craft supplies, keeping them easily accessible yet neatly out of sight.
Important Safety Note: When installing any tall or heavy furniture, especially in a child’s playroom, safety is paramount. We strongly recommend securely anchoring all IKEA items to the wall using the restraints provided in the packaging. This prevents tipping and ensures a safe play environment for your little ones.
Our Custom DIY Pull Handles for a Unique Touch
To give our IKEA hack built-ins a truly personalized and upscale feel, we chose to replace the standard hardware. For the Kallax drawers and Besta cabinets, we selected inexpensive gold handles. This simple swap instantly elevated their appearance, making them feel far more custom and integrated into the overall design.
However, for the daybed’s drawers, we opted for an even more creative approach. Knowing we had active little crawlers, we wanted drawer pulls that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally kid-friendly and safe. Instead of using the handles that came with the daybed, we crafted our own unique wooden bead drawer pulls. Using thick, durable string, a selection of large, smooth wooden beads, and a pair of scissors, we created playful and tactile handles. As an added bonus, these charming pulls double as little toys, encouraging tactile exploration and adding a touch of whimsy to the space.
Complementing our handmade touches, we absolutely adore the collection of cutest rattan doll and playroom furniture and inclusive dolls from Ellie & Becks Co. Their pieces bring a natural, whimsical, and durable element to the children’s space. In fact, we meticulously designed the height of our custom DIY kids’ table to perfectly accommodate these beautiful rattan kids’ chairs, ensuring a harmonious and comfortable setup for all their creative activities.
The Essential Kids’ Craft Table: A DIY Project
Perhaps the most significant DIY undertaking in this room was the creation of our DIY craft table. It’s often surprising how expensive children’s furniture can be, especially when you’re looking for something specific that truly aligns with your personal style and needs. We envisioned a play table that wasn’t just functional but also a unique focal point in the room.
Given that the playroom is a generously sized, open space, it was crucial to design a play table that was appropriately scaled to the room, preventing it from looking lost or undersized. Our DIY kids’ play table isn’t just a surface for creative endeavors; it’s ingeniously designed to double as simple, accessible toy storage. Its compartments are perfect for stashing craft supplies, small toys, and various little treasures, helping to keep the main surface clear and tidy.
One of the greatest advantages of this DIY project is its incredible flexibility. You can easily customize its color, finish, and even its dimensions to perfectly suit the specific requirements and aesthetic of your own playroom. Best of all, it’s an exceptionally budget-friendly solution, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to create functional, stylish, and personalized children’s furniture.
Easy Custom Artwork Idea for Playroom Walls
In designing a children’s space, we love incorporating interactive elements like a chalkboard or magnet wall. However, since our play area is visible from the living room, we opted for a wall design that maintained a more neutral and cohesive aesthetic with the rest of the house. This allowed the playroom to feel integrated, rather than a jarring departure from our main living spaces.
For the artwork, we kept it simple, affordable, and easily changeable. We created charming wall art by cutting out various shapes from colorful construction paper and framing them. This method offers a vibrant pop of color and personality without a significant investment. It’s a fantastic way to involve kids in the decorating process too! As an alternative, temporary wall decals are another excellent option, providing a similar graphic look that can be updated as your children’s interests evolve.
Playroom Lighting Solutions
When it came to lighting, functionality and safety were key considerations. Instead of freestanding lamps that could easily be knocked over during energetic play, we chose to install sleek black wall sconces. These sconces provide ample task lighting and contribute to a sophisticated, gender-neutral aesthetic that suits the modern feel of the room. Any time we utilize wall-mounted lighting, especially where cords might be visible, we make sure to add inexpensive wall cord covers. This ensures a clean, polished look and, more importantly, keeps unsightly and potentially hazardous cords neatly hidden and out of reach.
To further enhance the room’s unique charm and provide functional decor, we filled the vases on either side of the daybed with rolls of colorful craft paper. This serves as another clever playroom idea: not only does it add a visually appealing touch of decor, but it also provides easy, independent access for the kids to grab paper whenever inspiration strikes. It’s a simple yet effective way to encourage creativity on demand.
We extensively debated incorporating a large rug, a colorful play mat, or even a custom shape created with carpet tiles in the center of the room. While these options would undoubtedly add softness and a touch more coziness, we ultimately decided against them. Our primary reason was practicality: opting for the bare wood floor, while not as plush, is significantly easier to keep clean, especially in a high-traffic kids’ zone. This decision prioritizes hygiene and simplifies daily maintenance, a true win for busy parents!
Complete Playroom Sources
We couldn’t be happier with how this inviting and highly functional play space came together. It truly is a room thoughtfully designed for the entire family. The children delight in the easy access to their organized toy storage and the freedom to explore their creativity. Adults appreciate the serene, neutral design that seamlessly blends with our home’s aesthetic, and everyone loves cozying up on the comfortable daybed for reading or relaxation. It’s a harmonious blend of playfulness and practicality, creating a win-win for all!
- Elderflower Wood Floors from Stuga Studio
- Hepburn Fan from Hunter (also seen in our emerald green bedroom and home office bedroom makeover)
- Jackson Wall Sconces from Cost Plus World Market
- Wall cord covers
- Ikea hack faux built-in cabinets using Ikea Besta cabinets and Ikea Kallax shelves
- IKEA Brimnes daybed with gold handles
- Rattan doll and playroom furniture from Ellie & Becks
- Ikea hack DIY kids table
- Beckett Kids Chair Set from Ellie & Becks
- Construction by Genesis CP
More Creative Design Ideas for Your Home
Looking for even more interior design inspiration or fantastic DIY projects you can tackle for your family? We’ve got a treasure trove of ideas in our archives to help you create beautiful and functional spaces:
- Our lakeside modern living room makeover
- Transitional living room before and after
- Colorful kids reading nook ideas
- Gifts for kids: 59 of the best toys for kids
- Pretty outdoor toys for your kids
- How to throw a kids art party
- Free printable scavenger hunt game
- Kids advent calendar: easy and colorful DIY advent calendar
- Healthy nut-free lunches for kids
- Ikea hack DIY color block kids room storage or our easy colorblock storage lockers
We hope this playroom transformation has sparked some ideas for your own home decor projects! Don’t forget to share your amazing creations with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We genuinely love seeing all the beautiful spaces you design! For even more interior design inspiration, practical tips, and DIY home decor tutorials, explore the wealth of ideas available right here on our site!
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