Daycare.com Forum
View Poll Results: Playroom loft ideas
reading area
3
14.29%
play house
14
66.67%
other (please explain)
4
19.05%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Playroom Loft Ideas
mamac 06:19 AM 03-22-2013
I am building a loft in my new basement playroom and I am undecided on what to do with the space underneath the loft. I originally thought of putting in a reading area but then I thought it might be pretty cool to enclose the area to make a play house. (windows, doors,etc)
What would you do? Any other suggestions?
(The approximate size of the loft would be 4' x 8' but could go larger if we did an L shape.)
What would you do? Any other suggestions?
(The approximate size of the loft would be 4' x 8' but could go larger if we did an L shape.)
SilverSabre25 06:23 AM 03-22-2013
reading area up top, playhouse down below. 
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
rmc20021 06:24 AM 03-22-2013
I would so do a play house of sorts. That has always been my dream of course
Patches 06:58 AM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
reading area up top, playhouse down below. You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
This exactly reading area up top, playhouse down below.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
MarinaVanessa 07:16 AM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
reading area up top, playhouse down below. You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies. reading area up top, playhouse down below.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
originalkat 07:29 AM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
reading area up top, playhouse down below. You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
This sounds awesome!reading area up top, playhouse down below.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
GoodKarma 08:16 AM 03-22-2013
I like the idea of a playhouse.
Heidi 09:06 AM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
Me too...This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
Definately make sure you are a creating the illusion of privacy, but not real privacy, kwim?
GrannyJ 09:23 AM 03-22-2013
I have a loft. It is our reading/quiet area. I have a shelf with books but I want to get gutters for the books because the book shelf is always a mess. I have the soft foam furniture and lots of pillows and stuff animals. The kids love it.
Below we have our playhouse area.
Below we have our playhouse area.
Oneluckymom 10:08 AM 03-22-2013
So how high do make the loft? How many steps would they need to climb to the top? Just curious as I would love to do this too, but would be worried about injury.
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:11 AM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
That's a great idea! This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
nanglgrl 11:08 AM 03-22-2013
I would say do both, reading upstairs and playhouse downstairs. That's what I did with mine (except I did have to add their costume storage on the upper level because of space concerns). Mine goes up to my egress so the natural light makes a great reading area. Underneath is a little dark so I bought LED lights that came with a switch like you would see on our walls. They operate on batteries but they do keep it nice and bright and the kids love the switch plate that is right at their level in their house.
mamac 01:55 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
I really like the idea of the larger window for multiple play ideas. This was going to be my exact response as well. Then this way they can even pretend that the upstairs is the second story of the "house". You can add pillows and such to the reading area and that way when the kids go upstairs to "sleep" they can grab a book for bedtime reading for themselves or their babies.
One thing about making a house with walls downstairs ... you might want to keep it open somewhat so that they get plenty of light inside and so that you can still supervise the kids while they play inside. If you make the windows big, long and rectangle shape instead of squares the "kitchen" area can be other things like a grocery store, restaurant cooking area etc. and would let in tons of light. I'm super jealous of you right now.
I think I'll have dh put in a 6" window sill to be used as a small counter. I hadn't even thought of putting the reading area up top but that would be perfect because the upper half might be a little short for the bigger kids to stand up.I plan on putting in some of those round "push lights" or maybe even having my dh wire up some sort of other lighting. We're doing recessed lighting for the rest of the basement but I'm not sure what we could do that would be permanent yet not take up too much space.
It helps that my dh is a carpenter. It was actually his idea to take down the old playroom and use the entire (almost) basement. Gotta love him!
mamac 01:57 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
I would say do both, reading upstairs and playhouse downstairs. That's what I did with mine (except I did have to add their costume storage on the upper level because of space concerns). Mine goes up to my egress so the natural light makes a great reading area. Underneath is a little dark so I bought LED lights that came with a switch like you would see on our walls. They operate on batteries but they do keep it nice and bright and the kids love the switch plate that is right at their level in their house.
I'll definitely be looking into that type of light.. I can just imagine how the kids love to turn on their "own" lights. I would say do both, reading upstairs and playhouse downstairs. That's what I did with mine (except I did have to add their costume storage on the upper level because of space concerns). Mine goes up to my egress so the natural light makes a great reading area. Underneath is a little dark so I bought LED lights that came with a switch like you would see on our walls. They operate on batteries but they do keep it nice and bright and the kids love the switch plate that is right at their level in their house.
Btw, I remember seeing the pics of your loft and I showed them to my dh all while giving him my "puppydog eyes". He caved.
mamac 02:05 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by Oneluckymom:
So how high do make the loft? How many steps would they need to climb to the top? Just curious as I would love to do this too, but would be worried about injury.
We don't have a super high ceiling in the basement (just over 7') so I'm thinking up splitting it down the middle at about 3-1/2 feet for each section. I'll probably go a little "taller" for the bottom to make sure all the kiddies can play easily down there. As for how many steps, I have no idea. My dh knows the regulations for the building code. I can't imagine there would be more than 4 or 5. There will be a hand rail with spindles so they won't fall through, and the upper level is going to have the same thing. I recently saw a home dc that had plaxiglas for the top level to keep the kids in, instead of open spindles, but I would think that it would get awful stuffy up there with no air flow.So how high do make the loft? How many steps would they need to climb to the top? Just curious as I would love to do this too, but would be worried about injury.
Springdaze 02:29 PM 03-22-2013
I love the look and idea ofa loft, but would be too afraid. I know others have them and are fine, but i couldnt do it
nanglgrl 03:26 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by mamac:
I'll definitely be looking into that type of light.. I can just imagine how the kids love to turn on their "own" lights.
Btw, I remember seeing the pics of your loft and I showed them to my dh all while giving him my "puppydog eyes". He caved.
puppy dog eyes are exactly how I got my loft! I'll definitely be looking into that type of light.. I can just imagine how the kids love to turn on their "own" lights.
Btw, I remember seeing the pics of your loft and I showed them to my dh all while giving him my "puppydog eyes". He caved.
MarinaVanessa 05:14 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
reading area up top, playhouse down below. You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
I found this to show you an example of what you can do. I've been dreaming about something like this for ages!reading area up top, playhouse down below.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
mamac 07:33 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
I found this to show you an example of what you can do. I've been dreaming about something like this for ages!
THANK YOU for the pics! I found this to show you an example of what you can do. I've been dreaming about something like this for ages!
I tried googling loft playrooms and all I got were pics of loft beds with the cloth "playroom" on the bottom. Nothing at all like your pics! I love parts of each example.... now all I have to do is find a way to combine them all. Except for the ladder on the first design!
No way would I have that for my dc!!! Unless maybe I had a huge foam pit underneath it.
mamac 07:38 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by nanglgrl:
puppy dog eyes are exactly how I got my loft!
Works every time. puppy dog eyes are exactly how I got my loft!
melilley 07:41 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
reading area up top, playhouse down below. You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits.
reading area up top, playhouse down below.
You could put some nice comfy pillows up top, and rain gutter bookshelves on the sides, and a nice cuddly stuffed animal or two. Then underneath have the play kitchen and a little table, maybe some doll stuff if it fits. I love this idea!
MarinaVanessa 10:11 PM 03-22-2013
Originally Posted by mamac:
THANK YOU for the pics! I tried googling loft playrooms and all I got were pics of loft beds with the cloth "playroom" on the bottom. Nothing at all like your pics! I love parts of each example.... now all I have to do is find a way to combine them all. Except for the ladder on the first design! No way would I have that for my dc!!! Unless maybe I had a huge foam pit underneath it.
You were thinking just like me, no would I have a regular ladder either. I would do stairs with some carpeting or something. As for the pics I think I Googled "daycare lofts" and clicked on "pictures". Got tons of pics there.THANK YOU for the pics!
I tried googling loft playrooms and all I got were pics of loft beds with the cloth "playroom" on the bottom. Nothing at all like your pics! I love parts of each example.... now all I have to do is find a way to combine them all. Except for the ladder on the first design! No way would I have that for my dc!!! Unless maybe I had a huge foam pit underneath it.
mamac 10:39 AM 03-23-2013
Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa:
You were thinking just like me, no would I have a regular ladder either. I would do stairs with some carpeting or something. As for the pics I think I Googled "daycare lofts" and clicked on "pictures". Got tons of pics there.
You'd think I would have included the word "daycare" in my search but it never even occurred to me. You were thinking just like me, no would I have a regular ladder either. I would do stairs with some carpeting or something. As for the pics I think I Googled "daycare lofts" and clicked on "pictures". Got tons of pics there.
I couldn't get my laptop away from my dh because he wanted to see all the different ideas. He's already calculated the measurements for the stairs and I'm sure he'll come up with some pretty cool ideas for the bottom. So far we've decided on an "L" shape with a rectangular window and an awning at the short end. (like one of the pics.) I think we're going to wait until the main part is built before we decide how much to enclose it. But first we actually have to finish the rest of the basement.... Off to Ikea right now to see what will fit in the new space.