Creating a Stylish and Functional Playroom in Our Breakfast Nook

By Kaitlyn Parness

I’m in a season of life where my young kids are at the heart of everything—our home, our routines, and how we use each space. When my husband and I were house hunting, I viewed every potential home through the lens of a parent: Which room could be the nursery? How can we babyproof this area? Will this basement work for our family? We knew this next house would be the one where we’d raise our children.

Now that we’ve settled into our home, it truly feels like our sanctuary. When we first moved in, I was excited to decorate and make it our own, especially knowing this would be our long-term space. But like any parent, I had to find a balance between style and function—especially with a 1- and 3-year-old in tow.

Turning Our Breakfast Room into a Playroom

One of my biggest challenges was figuring out where all the toys would go. I’d seen people convert their first-floor office into a playroom because it can be closed off and keep the mess out of sight. But our neo-traditional floor plan doesn’t include a home office or a formal living room, so I had to get creative.

That’s when I had the idea to turn our breakfast nook into a dedicated playroom.

This space sits right off our kitchen and living room, creating a semi-open layout. It allows the kids to feel part of what’s going on in the home, while also having a clearly defined, organized area for play.

Designing a Kid-Friendly, Stylish Space

When designing the space, I had three priorities in mind:

      1. Functionality for play, crafts, and snack time

      2. Toy organization and easy cleanup

      3. A cohesive aesthetic with the rest of our main floor

To keep things tidy, I added storage inside the window bench for toy rotation and used shelves with bins for easy-to-access toys. This setup encourages independent play while keeping clutter to a minimum.

For decor, I wanted the playroom to feel intentional and flow with the rest of our home. I added TWOPAGES Deco Fold Roman Shades for the windows—I love the layered fabric look! I chose an inside mount because I plan to add crown moulding in the future. Another strong contender for this room was this TWOPAGES Day Night Roman Shades- we have these in our foyer and love them!

Artwork and pillows were selected to complement our adjacent kitchen and living room, and I topped it off with a neutral, aesthetically pleasing play mat that’s both soft and easy to clean.

A Room That Grows with Us

I know this season won’t last forever. One day, my kids will outgrow the need for a playroom, and this space will once again become a breakfast room. That’s why I intentionally chose decor and furniture that will transition seamlessly when the time comes.

But for now, we’re soaking up the giggles, snack breaks, and imaginative play in this special space. Our breakfast nook turned playroom has become one of my favorite corners of our home—and the memories we’re making here are truly priceless.

*All photographs credit: Kaitlyn Parness

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