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6 ways to turn an unused space into a rumpus room

Clever ways to make a play space for your kids.
Contemporary kids play room with built-in seating and colour-coordinated bookshelfJohn Downs

More than just a play space, a rumpus room allows for kids to stretch out and be themselves. Think you don’t have room? Think again.

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Look to these rumpus room decorating designs and practical ideas that permit room to rumble, create, read, discover, build a fort or an entire city of Lego – all in a space that’s fresh, free and forgiving.

1. Reading corner

Even a narrow room can house a reading nook at the end.

Recover a pre-loved sofa or pile high with blankets and throws for maximum snuggle value. Add a reading lamp and a table or small bookshelf to store current favourites.

Colour-coordinated bookshelves next to a day bed by Berkeley Interiors in a vibrant Brisbane home.

(Photography: John Downs / Styling: Kylie Jackes)
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2. Make it colourful

Designate a corner for play by anchoring the space with bookshelves offering plenty of pretty storage of games, toys and fun boxes of activities.

Add fun wall art or a cork board to display an ever-changing gallery of your children’s art.

3. Keep it simple

Any wall or alcove can serve as a place of imagination for your children. Keep things within reach of your child and don’t be afraid to regularly rotate activities.

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A chalkboard wall is a vehicle for planning, play and discovery. Switch up the colours of chalk you buy from time to time to keep things fresh and engaging.

A chalkboard wall is a great way to encourage play and creativity.

Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes)

4. Wallpaper for fun

Your rumpus ‘room’ can be a stolen corner of a kitchen, lounge room, bedroom or sun room. To differentiate the space from the rest of the room and create extra energy, cover one wall in a fun wallpaper.

Choosing children’s décor to match your own room is a great way to maximise the use of your spaces and allow them to flow into one another whilst visually keep it from looking cluttered.

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Large scale floral wallpaper sets the scene in this bedroom in a bayside Hamptons home.

(Photography: Suzi Appel / Styling: Beckie Littler)

5. Any room will do

Look again at downstairs rooms, your garage or storeroom for its rumpus potential.

Add plenty of rugs, colourful artwork and embrace the rough-and-ready nature of the space by hanging a swing, having a “messy corner” and simply going with the flow.

A spare room was transformed into a kids game room, featuring jungle wallpaper and boho styling.

(Photography: Suzi Appel / Styling: Beckie Littler)
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6. Layered rugs

Invest in a generous rug for floor play and layer smaller rugs for ‘breakout’ areas – soft and fluffy for under a tee pee, wipe-clean for under the snack table.

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