We have a book problem... and a toy problem... and a too much kid's artwork problem... and now they are getting into Legos. Something had to be done. Our playroom became the playroom when my kids decided they wanted to share a room. It has evolved slowly over the last year and a half, but we have never been super intentional about what we have in there.
Like I mentioned we have a book problem. It's a good problem to have. I love that my 5 and 3 year old like to "read" (and my 5 year old is learning to actually read). Storytime is a big deal in our house, but with well over a hundred kids books, it's difficult to find the ones we want. We are also running out of room for the new books we're buying (thanks to school book fairs, supporting local bookstores, and grandparents). We need more shelves, all the shelves!
We also have a toy problem. My children are much loved, and I can't stop people from showering them with gifts at Christmas and birthdays. I get it. Kid stuff is fun. We have a toy closet/library where they each get to pick one box at a time. This helps keep the mess from getting "too big to clean up" (which was my oldest's top excuse). But there are still more toys that don't fit in the closet. We need a home for these things too... so even more shelves!
I love that my daughter says she is an artist more confidently than I do. (I am an artist and hope to one day say it as proudly as my daughter does.) I love that her artwork is colorful and prolific. Be free, little one! But what do you do with it all? And now my son is creating art that is more than just a scribble across a page. Then there are the sculptures and Lego kits. 3D can't be put in a folder or a drawer. I need ways to celebrate their creativity and keep it off the floor.
Enter this refresh. In true form, I am procrastinating my own studio/office clean up and the work I'm sure I have. But let's ignore that and focus on something completely unrelated and technically unnecessary... going to IKEA to get supplies for this refresh! My kids love IKEA, which is my greatest joy because I also love it. They play "house" in one living room and kitchen at a time while I appreciate all the latest products and well decorated spaces on a budget.
So here is what we did:
Moved the falling apart bin of costumes to another room and put it in a sturdier toy chest (they usually bring the costumes out to play with friends in a bigger space, so the costumes end up out there anyways)
Added a 2x2 Kallax from IKEA to add more space for books and toys
Organized the books by topic... I stopped myself from putting the Dewey decimal system in place
Swapped the old toddler bed that no one would sit on for the Nugget couch from another room
Added four acrylic picture ledges across the empty wall to showcase 3D art
Added cording and homemade yarn tassels to add color and give a place to display 2D art
Note: The following contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.
Products from the refresh:
2x2 IKEA Kallax Shelves (link)
IKEA Mellosa Acrylic Picture Ledge (link)
Nugget Couch (link) (I found this one on Amazon that looks exactly the same for less: link)
Storage bench / Toy chest (link)
Yarn for tassels (link) (Check out my how to video on Youtube link)
Cord for picture hanging (link)
Lego watering can with flowers (link)
Dollhouse (in case you spied the tall one with wheels that takes up a corner of the room) (link)
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