Design Inspiration: Creating a Kids’ Play Space in Your Living Room

We live in a small apartment, so we definitely do not have a dedicated play room for Rose. As she has moved into toddlerhood and is playing more independently, I have been wanting to create a cozy space for her in our living room where she can look through her books and play with her toys while I work. Yes, she has her nursery, but I know she prefers to be where the action is (read: food, music, dog) and I prefer her to play where I can keep my eye on her without hovering.

I want the little space to complement our existing decor and feel cohesive, rather than overtaking it. As most parents can relate, a play space can go from organized and tidy to looking like the aftermath of a hurricane in all of two minutes, so I want the space to be curated and easy to maintain. This is especially important for small-space living, when you have nowhere to hide the kid “stuff.” Below is my inspiration for the space.

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Here is our current living room:

We plan to place the nook in the corner between the couch and the wall. I am thinking a round rug will delineate the space, and a few floor pillows will make it cozy. If I can make it work with the space, a hemp pouf would be a nice addition to provide extra seating and a surface to place a drink. I also plan to add a wall mounted book bin and perhaps a removable adhesive chalkboard on the wall. Below is a roundup of items I am considering to transform the space.

SHOPPING LIST