Like we elders need our own privacy /set up for our needs, kids too need their set up as per their age. So once a baby arrives, we need certain set up for the kid. Initially talking about Indian parents we love to keep our babies in the same room till they are 2 years. Once a baby is big enough we set up their room. Colour their wall with cartoon prints, create a cute nursery; keeping in mind how to keep the baby safe and happy. Kids need to have their own playroom, but since large cities have small apartments or homes, we cannot spare an entire room for the kids to play in. However, we can easily set up a play area in the house for the kids so that they can play around, while you are busy with your household chores or other work. Assigning a play area to the kids can help us in staying organized as in this way the toys will not be everywhere in the house. The clutter will be less when the toys will be assigned a home in your home. This play area can be carved out in the living room so that the child stays in front of your eyes all the time, while you can concentrate on other work. 
Here is how to set up the play area:
- Make use lots of boxes: large labeled bins are an easy way to de-clutter your space as you can place all the toys, blocks or craft supplies in their respective boxes after the child has finished playing. These bins can be placed in the play area and the child can be taught how to place everything in the right box, once he has done playing. You can also place color coordinated shelves in the play area and assign each color for toys, books, coloring supplies, etc. Modular drawers are also great solutions to keep all the toys intact and out of sight. If you have more than one kid, then the play area can be arranged according to the age of the kids. Younger kid’s stuff can go on the lower shelf while older kid toys can be placed on the upper one.
- Make use of corners and walls: if the floor space is not much in the living room, you can arrange, display and store items on walls. Make use of shelves and make sure that they are strongly anchored. Corner shelves can maximize the play area and you can place books, stuffed animals or small toys on these shelves. You can also hang items on the walls to make more play space and using sturdy hooks as the child might pull them down. You can also hang toy bags or hanging baskets so that they can be stuffed with toys or craft supplies.
- Make use of the furniture: There are many items in the market that can be used for two or more purposes like a desk can be converted into a play table or an ottoman can have storage underneath it, so look for items and place them in the play area. Some desks have storage underneath so you can keep all the scattered crayons, pencils, and erasers hidden in the desk.
- Use divider: Since you need to designate a certain play area, it needs to be divided from the living room area, so you can place modular flooring or a colorful carpet as the divider. The screen will make the room look smaller, while the colored flooring will make it look roomy and open. Rugs are also great and work fine to divide the play area from the living room.
Make sure that everything in the playroom is for playing and no other stuff is placed in the area. I have recently created a play area in my living room corner with foam tiles placed on the floor and lots of colorful shelves on the walls and my son simply loves to play in the area. I have also taught him to straighten up the place, once he is done with his playtime. He is obsessed with his toys and craft supplies and keeps them all sorted out. I simply love the play area in my house as the toys and books have found a home and are no more scattered around. Do you have a set up for your kid’s? Do share your views!
