Creative Ways To Transform Your Child's Playroom Once They've Outgrown It

When you were first putting the furniture together for your little one's playroom, you probably never thought the day would come that they'd grow disinterested in this lovingly curated space. But, of course, kids grow up, and suddenly these playrooms become wasted space that nobody in the home can enjoy. Many people simply convert kid's spaces into a guest room or office, which is a fine enough solution; however, we also think there's something special about transforming a kid room into a teen room. 

Try turning the playroom into a tween and teen-friendly space by making it into a mini-lounge to relax, study, and have fun. That way, these rooms still have a lot of character, but also cater to the wants and needs of your household's younger set. After all, they shouldn't lose access to a bonus space just because they're growing up. Trust us, both you and your kids will be grateful for the transformation, long after they've moved out. 

But making a teen paradise can be overwhelming, especially if this is the first time you've thought about it since, well, you were a teen yourself. We'll help you create the space with intention, so it's a place your kid will actually want to spend time, as well as go over which furniture items you'll need for the playroom makeover. 

Tweens and teens alike absolutely love having a common area that feels designed just for them, giving them some much-needed space and privacy. To save yourself a headache and from giving up your sanctuary (the main living room couch) whenever your kid and friends want to watch a show or have a slumber party, use this area as a secondary living room. And a spacious, comfortable couch is a must. You may want to consider a modular sofa, as they can be configured as single seats or larger sofas, depending on the vibe. 

You'll also want to add a coffee table as a place to play board games, do crafts, and have a snack. Comfy floor mats or funky beanbags are great and allow guests to sit around the table if there's not much room on the couch. You could also add a storage bench ottoman that can double as storage space and extra seating — this would be the perfect place to stow away your board game collection or extra blankets. 

To give the room a playful touch, consider adding color-changing LED strips (available for $12 on Amazon) around the space. These are affordable and really change the vibe of the room. Throw pillows, trendy wall art, rugs, and other knickknacks also add character. Be sure to cater to your mini grownups' tastes as well, like a record player for music lovers, a reading chair for the book worms, and so on. 

When you were a teen and your parents sent you to your bedroom to study, there's a good chance you spent the time looking through magazines and, well, doing anything but studying. That can be the case for many teens today, which is why it's a great idea to make this updated play area into a study area as well. To make the room work as a focus room, outfit a table with a large desktop monitor. It can be a huge asset while studying and doing homework, and according to Jon Peddie Research, a dual monitor system can significantly boost productivity levels by up to 42%. 

Once their homework is complete, the desktop monitor can serve a dual purpose as a TV screen, and your child can stream TV shows and movies straight from their computer. Because they'll be using the monitor to study, it's best to use a desk or entertainment center that can be sat at with an ergonomic office chair. For study groups, your child and their friends can sit around the coffee table as well. 

Design the room to inspire productivity by making careful choices in a few areas. Ensure there are tons of adjustable lighting options, because nothing can bring down energy faster than dim lighting. Also try to keep the space free from excessive clutter — a few tchotchkes are great, but too many can become distracting.