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The most useful lesson from this playroom makeover is simple: solve storage and circulation before decorating. Adelaide DIY creator and mother Alexis Teasdale converted a high-traffic passage between her kitchen and lounge into a dedicated play space by combining tall shelving, low child-accessible units, a smaller play rug, an art ledge and wall-mounted soft-toy storage. The result was designed around how her three children actually used the room, not around an idealized purpose-built playroom.
Teasdale described the project in Better Homes & Gardens Australia on April 24, 2020, during COVID-19 school closures, when the family was spending the day at home. Her children were five, three and nine months old, so the room had to support active floor play, quick tidying and a baby’s access to lower storage. These are her household’s solutions and observations, not a tested specification for every family or room. Read the original feature at Better Homes & Gardens Australia.
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What changed between the before and after
The room was never intended to be a dedicated playroom. It was an in-between, high-traffic area linking the kitchen and lounge in an older house. Before the makeover, it had served first as a small television room and later as a place where toys accumulated. The family of five had moved into the house at the end of 2018.
School closures prompted Teasdale to make the area a defined play spot. Instead of adding furniture indiscriminately, she reorganised the room around four needs: storage that children could use, open floor for racing cars, a way to display artwork, and a safer method of keeping soft toys off the floor. The visual changes were colourful, but the practical change was giving every major category of toy or activity a home.
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- DURABLE AND STURDY: Engineered wood frame with steel dowels and stabilizing braces supports up to 20 lbs per tier so you never have to worry about tipping, bending, or daily wear and tear
- EASY CLEANUP FOR LITTLE HANDS: 12 removable bins make it simple for kiddos to grab, play, and clean up on their own, helping build independence while keeping your playroom mess under control
- SPACE SAVING: It’s compact size (34"W x 16"D x 31"H) makes this toy storage ideal for bedrooms, playrooms, classrooms, and smaller spaces
- REMOVABLE BINS: Includes 12 (8 standard, 4 large) BPA and phthalate-free plastic bins to hold toys, books, games, and art supplies while keeping your playroom organized
- SAFETY FIRST: Includes stabilizing braces, rounded corners, and a wall anchor anti-tip kit to help prevent tipping so your child’s play space stays safe and secure
| Room element | Before | After | Practical effect described by Teasdale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room function | Small TV room, then general toy area | Dedicated play spot | The passage became an intentional place for play while remaining part of the family’s daily circulation. |
| Storage | Toys without a clearly described system | Two tall shelves plus two lower units forming a bench | More capacity, with lower storage reachable by young children. |
| Floor covering | Large rug | Small rug over more exposed floorboards | More uninterrupted space for racing toy cars; Teasdale found the floor easier to clean in her experience. |
| Children’s artwork | No described display arrangement | Long shelf with interchangeable framed pieces | Artwork could be shown, removed and rotated without redesigning the wall. |
| Soft toys | Not described | IKEA KOMPLEMENT accessory hangers on wall hooks | Stuffed animals were gathered vertically instead of occupying play or walking space. |
Why storage was the design problem to solve first
Teasdale called storage the only real challenge. Her explanation is worth treating as the project’s organising principle: “The only challenge was the same as everyone else – storage! How to find enough storage to hold everything and keep it somewhat organised and still manage to look nice.”
She also put the visual consequence plainly: “Good storage is the key to everything! You can have the most beautiful toys but unless they have somewhere to pack away into, the room is always going to look like a colourful, hot mess.” In a passage beside working family rooms, that distinction matters. Storage is not only about capacity; it limits how far toys spill into the route between rooms.
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The layout combined two tall shelves with two lower shelves. The lower pieces created a bench-like zone and were more accessible to the children, including the nine-month-old, while the tall units supplied vertical capacity. This split allowed the room to hold a lot without making every item dependent on an adult.
The age details belong to Teasdale’s household at the time of the article: a five-year-old, a three-year-old and a nine-month-old. They explain why she described a mixture of heights, but they are not a universal shelving standard for babies or preschoolers. Measure your own child’s reach, movement patterns and supervision needs rather than copying the arrangement as a safety rule.
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- BEAUTIFUL AND ORGANIZED - Make your kids playroom space neat and organized with this toy storage organizer with bookshelf and 12 white bins; Shelf Size: 52.3"W x 13.6"D x 31.5"H
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY - Maximize your space with this toy storage box organizer system with 12 bins in two sizes; Includes 4 large bins (15.5"L x 11.5"W x 5"H) and 8 small bins (11.5"L x 7.5"W x 5"H)
- MODERN AND STYLISH - With solid pine wood construction, these toy organizers and storage boxes bring modern to any home decor; Perfect kids bookcase and toy storage for bedrooms, living rooms, nursery and playrooms
- THOUGHTFUL DESIGN - The kids toy storage shelf features smooth, rounded edges in playroom organization; Its front extended base deisgn provides stability to prevent tipping and wobbling
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE - It is super easy to put the toy bin storage rack together; You can assemble easily with the included instructions; And it won't take up too much of your time
Make tidying possible for small hands
Teasdale’s advice extends beyond the named shelves. If you already own bookshelves, she suggests adding large baskets or toy boxes so children have a straightforward place to put things away, while acknowledging that children may not always do it: “If you already have bookshelves, big basket or toy boxes make packing away easy for little ones (if they’ll do it!)”
Think in categories your children can recognise: cars together, soft toys together, craft materials together. The exact categories should follow what your family owns. The useful test is whether a child can identify the container and return an item without emptying several other boxes first.
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Teasdale specifically cautioned that shelves and inserts need to be measured together. A box that is too wide, too deep or poorly matched to the opening can make storage harder to use, even when the furniture itself fits. Measure the internal opening, not only the outside dimensions, and compare those measurements with every basket, bin or insert you intend to use. Keep the product’s published measurements beside you when ordering; the feature does not establish current dimensions for any named item.
How the smaller rug created more room for play
The boys liked racing toy cars on the floorboards. Teasdale therefore replaced a large rug with a smaller one, sacrificing some soft coverage to gain a longer, clearer run for vehicles. She expected the exposed floor to be more difficult to maintain, but reported the opposite in her room: the floor was easier to clean, particularly after Play-Doh messes.
Rank #3
- Multifunctional toy storage bookshelf: This storage bookshelf is fully equipped for diverse organizing needs: 12 removable bins(inclued 4 large bins (13.4"L x 11.5"W x 7.1"H) and 8 small bins (11.5"L x 7.4"W x 7.1"H) sort small toys (blocks, dolls, cars), 3 sturdy shelves hold larger items (storybooks, plush things, board games), 2 cup holders fit water bottles or small stuffed animals, and a side net rack hangs bags, jump ropes, or guitars. All parts work to keep toys categorized and easy to reach.Shelf Size: 55.1"W x 14.6"D x 30.7"H
- Large Capacity Without Taking Over Your Space：With an overall size of 55.1"W x 14.6"D x 30.7"H, this organizer offers high storage capacity while maintaining a space-efficient footprint. It fits well in bedrooms, playrooms, or even living rooms, helping you store large toy collections without overcrowding the space—ideal for families working with limited room.
- Built for Daily Use, Safe for Kids：Made with FSC-certified wood with great durability and a stable frame structure, this shelf is designed to handle everyday use. Smooth rounded edges help prevent bumps and scratches, while the extended base improves stability and reduces the risk of tipping—making it suitable for active toddlers and young children.
- Encourages Organization While Improving Room Appearance：The open, categorized layout helps children easily see, access, and put away their toys, supporting independent clean-up habits. At the same time, it transforms messy piles into a clean, structured display—helping reduce visible clutter and making the room feel more organized and calm.It also makes a thoughtful and practical gift for children, combining fun and functionality.
- Simple Assembly Use Quickly：Designed for easy setup, this organizer includes clear instructions and all required hardware. No complicated tools are needed, and most users can assemble it quickly, so you can start organizing and using it without frustration.
That is a homeowner’s account, not a controlled comparison of flooring or rugs. The transferable decision is to watch the activity that occupies the most space. If children need a continuous track, building zone or dance area, a smaller rug may leave the useful surface where they need it. If your children spend most of their time sitting, crawling or doing crafts, a larger washable surface may serve a different purpose. Decide from observed play rather than from rug size alone.
Displaying children’s artwork without making the room precious
Teasdale used a long shelf to display the children’s art and swapped pieces in and out of frames. That creates a rotating gallery: the wall remains visually finished, while new drawings can replace older ones without adding more holes or more furniture.
She said the frames used plastic rather than glass, explaining that she made that choice “to be on the safe side.” The feature records her choice; it does not certify a particular frame or establish that plastic is appropriate for every installation. Select frames that are suitable for the wall, the child’s access and the manufacturer’s instructions, and check them periodically for loose parts.
A simple rotation system
- Choose a single long ledge or shelf that can hold the number of frames you can realistically rotate.
- Keep a small reserve of finished drawings nearby so replacing an old piece takes seconds rather than becoming a separate project.
- Display current favourites at the child’s eye level where practical, while keeping mounting hardware secure and out of reach when necessary.
- Use the same frame format where possible; consistent sizes make the shelf look orderly even when the artwork is exuberant.
Teasdale summed up the emotional purpose in one sentence: “I love displaying the kids’ art.” The display is therefore both storage for paper and a visible signal that children’s work belongs in the shared home.
Rank #4
- 【Efficient Organization】: The Woodure toy organizer is perfect for helping your child keep their room neat and tidy. With ample space to store all their stuffed animals, the unique cage design makes it easy to pick up and put down toys. This not only keeps the room organized but also encourages your child to develop their own organizing skills and sense of responsibility.
- 【Sturdy Construction】: Our stuffed animal storage zoo is handcrafted from durable pine wood, ensuring a robust and lasting structure. The solid wood combined with steel screws provides exceptional strength to support large-sized stuffed animals, making it a reliable and long-lasting solution for toy storage.
- 【Ample Storage Space】: Once assembled, our organizer measures 15.7 x 15.7 x 53.5 inches, providing enough room to accommodate over 40 stuffed animals. It's perfect for storing large plush toys, ensuring they have a dedicated place and are not scattered around the room
- 【Easy Assembly】: This large-capacity stuffed animal storage zoo is designed for simple and convenient assembly, requiring no tools. Our dedicated customer service team is always available to assist with any installation questions or concerns, ensuring a hassle-free setup.
- 【Perfect Gift】: Combining storage, organization, and display in one creative solution, this stuffed animal organizer makes an ideal gift for children. It comes with a wooden nameplate, allowing kids to personalize their very own stuffed animal zoo, adding a touch of fun and creativity.
Getting stuffed toys off the floor
For soft toys, Teasdale repurposed IKEA KOMPLEMENT accessory hangers and attached them to real wall hooks. She specifically contrasted those with sticky hooks because, in her experience, a child pulling a toy from an adhesive-mounted hanger could remove paint from the wall.
Keep that warning in its proper scope: it is her practical experience with her wall and setup, not a test of every adhesive product. Before installing any hanger, identify the wall surface, use hardware suited to it and follow the hanger and hook maker’s instructions. Position the storage so children can reach appropriate toys without climbing on shelves or furniture.
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The named pieces and the job each one performed
The feature names several products and sources of inspiration. Their role in this room is more useful than treating them as a shopping list, because each one solved a specific problem.
| Named item | Role in the makeover | What Teasdale said about it |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA FLYSTA storage shelves | Part of the shelving system | She considered them smaller and cheaper than commonly used KALLAX shelving and said they suited her small space better. She also noted fewer insert options and advised checking measurements. |
| IKEA MOSSLANDA picture ledge | Long-shelf art display | Named among her top buys; the article’s artwork arrangement provides the relevant context. |
| IKEA KOMPLEMENT accessory hangers | Vertical soft-toy storage | Repurposed on real wall hooks rather than sticky hooks. |
| Provincial Home Living hamper | Container in the room | Teasdale already owned a couple and spray-painted them white; the feature does not say they were purchased new for this project. |
| Blacklist Studio “Choose your own adventure” art print | Decorative artwork | Named as one of her top buys. |
Availability, current dimensions and prices can change. The 2020 feature gives no quantified project cost and does not establish current retailer stock, so confirm those details before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical sequence for planning your own makeover
You can adapt the logic of this room without reproducing its exact products. Work in this order so decoration follows the way the space functions.
Best Value
- DURABLE AND STURDY: Engineered wood frame with steel dowels and stabilizing braces supports up to 20 lbs per tier so you never have to worry about tipping, bending, or daily wear and tear
- EASY CLEANUP FOR LITTLE HANDS: 9 removable bins make it simple for kiddos to grab, play, and clean up on their own, helping build independence while keeping your playroom mess under control
- SPACE SAVING: It’s compact size (26"W x 16"D x 24"H) makes this toy storage ideal for bedrooms, playrooms, classrooms, and smaller spaces
- REMOVABLE BINS: Includes 9 BPA and phthalate-free plastic bins (12"L x 9"W x 6"H) to hold toys, books, games, and art supplies while keeping your playroom organized
- SAFETY FIRST: Includes stabilizing braces, rounded corners, and a wall anchor anti-tip kit to help prevent tipping so your child’s play space stays safe and secure
- Observe the traffic. Mark the route between adjoining rooms and note where people naturally walk. A playroom in a passage needs storage that does not narrow that route.
- List the activities. Separate floor-intensive play, quiet play, artwork and soft toys. Teasdale’s car-racing example shows why the dominant activity should influence the rug and furniture footprint.
- Inventory what you already own. Existing bookshelves, baskets and toy boxes may be enough to create a workable system. Reusing a hamper, as Teasdale did, can change the look without replacing the container.
- Assign heights. Place frequently used, child-appropriate items in lower units and reserve taller storage for items that need adult help or less frequent access. Treat the baby’s presence as a supervision and reach question, not as a universal measurement.
- Measure every opening. Record internal shelf dimensions before selecting baskets or inserts. Check that doors, walkways and the bench area remain usable once containers are loaded.
- Protect open floor. Sketch the largest clear rectangle needed for the main game. Choose the rug size and storage footprint around that rectangle rather than filling the room first.
- Create one display zone. A long ledge or shelf can hold rotating frames and keep artwork visible without spreading it across every wall.
- Install wall storage carefully. For hangers, select wall hardware appropriate to the surface and test the loaded arrangement under normal supervision. Avoid assuming an adhesive hook will behave like a mechanically fixed hook.
- Run a child-use test. Ask whether a child can return a toy, reach the intended basket and move through the room without pulling on unstable items. Adjust categories or heights before adding more decor.
Common mistakes this makeover helps you avoid
Buying furniture before measuring the passage
A shelf that fits an empty wall may obstruct the route once baskets, children and adults use it. Measure the usable width and depth, then account for doors, corners and the space needed to sit or play.
Choosing storage only for appearance
Uniform containers can look tidy but fail if children cannot identify what belongs inside. The homeowner’s emphasis on accessible lower units and simple baskets points to a better test: can the intended user put the item away?
Covering every inch of floor
A large rug and multiple boxes can consume the very surface children need for cars or other active games. Teasdale’s smaller rug demonstrates that less coverage can be more functional when floor movement is the priority.
Assuming a product comparison exists when it does not
Teasdale preferred FLYSTA to KALLAX for her small room, citing size, cost and insert availability. That is a personal fit decision, not a formal performance test. Compare shelves by the dimensions, capacity, insert compatibility and access your room actually requires.
Using adhesive storage without considering the wall
The hanger warning is easy to overlook. A child pulling down a soft toy may also pull paint when the hook is adhesive-mounted, according to Teasdale’s experience. Choose the fixing method with the wall surface and expected pulling force in mind.
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What this playroom makeover demonstrates
This before-and-after is persuasive because it treats a playroom as part of family circulation rather than as a separate showroom. The room stayed connected to the kitchen and lounge, but storage was divided by height, the floor was opened for the children’s favourite game, art was made changeable and soft toys were moved vertically.
The strongest idea to borrow is not a particular shelf or print. It is the sequence: observe how children play, preserve the space that activity needs, give each category an obvious home, and then add colour and display. That approach can make an awkward passage useful without pretending it is a purpose-built playroom.
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