Rug | Pouf | Chairs | Table | Lights
Not much has changed visually since the last playroom update. We moved the television up to our bedroom (bliss!):
And we smashed that outdated mantle off of the fireplace. So now things are looking worse, as they tend to do with renovations.
But! Behind the scenes, we have picked out new carpet, paint, and I finally figured out a storage solution for the playroom. We envision storage on that back wall. Currently, a lot of the girls' toys are in the fauxdenza upstairs. Originally, we were just going to move that down here, but it is working so well on that wall up there right now and while we'd eventually like to put a fireplace in its place in the living room, we're not ready for that project yet.
So, I went on the hunt. I wanted something easily accessible and organizable (so nothing too tall or that requires more than 1 step to get things back where they go) for the girls and something that looks good for us. That's the family-friendly sweet spot. I was so surprised when I found this little dresser at UrbanOutfitters.com in their apartment section!
Their 15 drawer Industrial Storage Dresser is just $329! (They have a mini version for half the price here) I checked the dimensions and the drawers are large enough to fit paper (a must for our coloring lovers!) and will be the perfect way to organize the endless Shopkins, PetShops, PawPatrol and legos Greta has collected. Since the footprint is pretty small and that wall is fairly big (and you can never have too much storage!), I ended up ordering two to place side by side. I can't wait to fill in those label holders and maybe finally have the toys organized in a beautiful, practical way.
In my search, I also came across this industrial dresser from Wayfair first that's strikingly similar, but boasts a much higher price tag of over $1000 (on sale! eek). To its credit, it does look like it's a better quality, but the reviews of the Urban Outfitters one were rave, so I am crossing my fingers we're not disappointed.
While there's still quite a bit to do until we introduce toy storage into the room, I couldn't help but share the find. How do you keep toys organized? It wasn't an issue with us until Greta started getting into things with small pieces (Shopkins! You give me a headache!).
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Just found your blog today (apparently I was living under a rock? lol) I am reading through your posts now that I have found you, so glad I did by the way. I just love your style, I was shocked at how much reminds me of my own decorating choices, in fact we have some of the same accessories and curtains although your home is much more refined and finished. We even have two St. Bernards! haha Any way to my orginal comment - I was wondering if you still like this storage dresser and how did it work out in person?
Still love it. Still using it!
So anxious to hear your review on this piece!! Did it arrive?? I'm really on the fence about buying it. I wish I could see it in person. Like you, I was super excited to hear that they fit a piece of paper. Would love to store coloring books, markers, etc. Though, I'm concerned with the plywood structure that are not on tracks. Are they easy for kids to pull? Or do they come out too easily? Maybe the fact that they come out of the piece would be nice for kids to pull out their draw to use. Sorry for all the questions. Excited to see your basement come together.
Hi! I stumbled onto your blog because I was searching for reviews and photos of the Skyline rug from Rejuvenation. And here I see it under your dining room table! How do you like it?
Just happened to read your comment/question when I was commenting myself. They just did a big rug post right before this post with reviews on all their rugs. This is what they wrote...."The (in progress) playroom all got started from this 8×10 kilim. The Skyline Rug from Rejuvenation. It feels playful and sophisticated at the same time, which is exactly what we were looking for in this soon-to-be shared playroom/media room space"
Pareto's rule ( they'll play with 20% of their stuff 80% of the time) is a good one to apply here-makes choosing what to play with easier ( less choice=more involvement ) and less items=easier cleanup.
When my kids were young I'd keep most stuff in the garage and rotate in new things as needed with the one in/one out rule. Two big cleanouts a year kept it all under control and highlighted what would be needed next age-wise.
Oh and yeah, those mico-pieces and Legos will test the limits of human endurance LOL.
So cute! Are those just baskets in there or are they drawers?
I can't tell! And the reviews are vague. It will work either way for us, but I'll keep you posted once they get here.
"I can’t wait to fill in those label holders" I used to draw pictures on my organizers for my little pre-readers
Yes!!
That is gorgeous! I love it and can't wait to see how it looks in the room!
I'm curious to know more about your thoughts for the fireplace in the great room. I'm in the process of house hunting and my favorite place has a fireplace whose placement doesn't match up with how I'd prefer to layout the furniture in the room. Would you rearrange the room to focus it more on the fireplace? With the current layout, it looks like it will be to the side of a major walkway.
We wouldn't rearrange. But we would probably install the fireplace off-centered on that wall so it's more integrated into the living room. There's so much to think about before, and if, we go for it. But I really feel like that wall could use something architectural.
I am so particular and love organizing by type and would love to make labels like that. My kids were never built that way. After a while I gave up with the categories and just figured if it was hidden, it was good. :) Plus they don't play one particular type of toy at a time so they don't like them grouped that way. And now that I don't stress over it, I have less stress. Lol. ;)
My friends all make fun of me, but we have small bins and baskets in the boys' rooms for each type of toy: dinosaurs, animals, cars, coloring stuff, super heroes, etc. I can't handle all types jumbled together. Even after big play date messes, I insist that they put the toys back into the proper bins. It makes finding them later so much easier. And now my child who was blessed (cursed?) with my type-A personality automatically organizes the toys.