Thrifty Kids Playroom Makeover for Older Kids [On A Budget]

Are you looking to design a thrifty kids playroom makeover? Look no further!

Renovating your children’s playroom can be an exciting and rewarding project that not only enhances the space, but also fosters creativity and fun for your whole family, and it can be accomplished on a tight budget!

Whether you’re looking to create a vibrant and imaginative play area or a cozy and organized space, this guide will provide you with practical tips and inspiration to transform your children’s playroom into a haven for play and learning.

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Thrifty Kids Playroom Design for Older Kids- Planning:

Before diving into the renovation process, the first thing you want to do is take some time to plan the layout and design of the playroom.

Consider the age(s) of your children, their interests, and the activities they enjoy.

Create a design that accommodates their needs while also allowing for growth and flexibility over time.

Prepping:

Now is the time to make the updates you’ve been dreaming about!

My Dad was in town recently, so I enlisted his help to add new LVP flooring from Costco.

I painted the walls, added the trim, encapsulated the lead paint on our original windows (old house problems, amirite?).

Make it safe! Secure heavy furniture to the wall to prevent tipping, cover electrical outlets, and use safety gates if necessary (our children are 9 and 5, so we were able to skip that last part-hooray!).

Related: DIY Peel and Stick Herringbone Flooring

Organizing:

Here’s how I got started:

1. Declutter the existing space- toss those broken toys!
   
   
2. Organize toys, books, craft supplies and games into designated toy storage bins, storage furniture or shelves.
   
   
3. Utilize storage solutions!
   
   
   • We used the IKEA Kallax Units with white plastic toy bins from Target.
     
     
   • I printed photos and laminated them to make it easier for my son to put his toys away himself (we’re still working on that part!).
     

To make this a more custom look, I found a large piece of live edge wood at Second Chance (for $90!) and refinished it to make a stunning top!

Creating Play Zones:

Create distinct play space zones within the room to cater to different activities and interests. Here’s what we did:

Cozy little nook for reading:

This chair and butterfly canopy are from IKEA!

Dress-Up Corner for Costumes and Accessories:

I built this Dress Up Storage using this plan from Ana White and the Dress Form from Amazon, and it is a little girls dream!

The built-ins were already there, but with non-functioning drawers. I took them out and created more functional cubbies instead, making this the perfect spot for everything dress up:  

Adding Personal Touches They Love:

Incorporate educational elements, like photos of things they are interested in (like WW2 aircraft and video games, in our case).

Infuse the playroom with personality and charm by adding personal touches and décor that reflect your children’s interests and passions- this is such a fun way to take your space from hot mess to haven.

This Melissa and Doug Grocery Store from Amazon has provided endless hours of imaginative play:

Renovating your children’s playroom is a great way to create a space that inspires imagination, fosters creativity, and brings joy and laughter into your home.

By carefully planning and designing the space, decluttering and organizing belongings, prioritizing safety, and incorporating interactive features and personal touches, you can transform your children’s playroom into a magical retreat where memories are made and adventures unfold.

This entire room was under $1,000, including the flooring, and it has been a game changer, with the kids constantly playing in their new space.

This has been one of my favorite DIY projects to date, and I hope you feel you’ve got the tools to make your own playroom dreams come true.  Happy renovating!