I don't know about your kids, but mine hate to play in the basement. However, since we homeschool, my children are ALWAYS close by, and sometimes we I need some distance. So I am trying to do what I can to make the basement a more pleasant place for some occasional play.
I showed you a few weeks ago how we transformed with paint.
This is the play area before we painted,
and after we painted.
Lately, it has been looking like this,
and this.
Shocking, I know. The overflow from their rooms ends up down here, and when friends come over, and they actually play down down here, it ends up in this shape. So with my husband's begging blessing, I have been purging furniture, toys, books, puzzles, chalkboards, stuffed animals and trash.
Here is what the space is looking like now.
Well, it did look this way until about 4 seconds after I took the picture.
What is it about organizing kids' things that makes them want to go and start dumping things right back out
immediately?
Are your kids like that?
My future plans are for some of their artwork framed and put up on the walls, and some track lighting. Hopefully I can get to this soon, and I will be sure and show the results!
allysgrandma says
It looked great for that 4 seconds! Really nice play area...let them have fun! But then I'm grandma and pretty indulgent.....
Marsha S says
uummm I don't want to talk about it!
My only child left at home is 14, so she doesn't need a play room---and nope, don't want to talk about what her bedroom looks like either!
We have a most awesome rec room in the basement here at this house we bought. Perfect to send kids down to play it. However, we put the futon and an old couch down there as well as the exercise equipment, and the deep freeze. The room was rarely used....that is until we allowed my oldest daughter, her bf, and her 5 children to move in here. Do you see why I don't want to talk about it??
I so do wish, however, that my daughter would allow me to homeschool the grandkids--with her help, of course. It's sad that I only have the one child at home now and she's officially high school this year, which means a lot more record keeping.
At The Picket Fence says
You did such a great job on that space and we are so glad you linked this up to Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
Donut Diva says
oh my goodness. my basement is so your before right now. I am embarrased to say I tried to hang sheets on the walls to cover up the ugliness but that just made it worse. Maybe one day soon i will paint.
Heidi
bandedup.blogspot.com
Mary says
Wow - that painting made a huge difference in that space! Yeah, organizing kids stuff is just an invitation to play ... 🙂
BakingMama says
Looks great! My playroom is the same way. I have 4 children under the age of 7 and the second I get the playroom organized they jump right in and mess it up again!
Nicole @www.thebakingmom.blogspot.com
Heather Bea says
Really great! I love that cute rug you have in there, too!
Carrie says
Wow, looks awesome!! If only it could stay this way, right!?
Mami Made It says
Now this is a wonderful place and no wonder your children love to play in there and enjoy all their toys!
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
What an adorable DIY project! Thank you so much for sharing.
Happy Monday!
Maggie says
what a great spot for play...
I'm inviting you to join our linking party every Wednesday at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/american-pickers-with-linking-party.html
Have a fabulous week,
Maggie
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/
BluBabesCreate says
I could play here!
Leah says
My kids love dumping stuff. I don't know if they actually like to play with their toys, but they do like dumping them all over the floor...
Eve @ Not So Artsy says
My kids are just like that! I spend the day cleaning and organizing the toy room and then they undo it within a day 🙁 I will keep trying different methods I guess! Love your blog I just found it from Homemaker on a dime, and I am your newest follower. Come visit me, and follow back if you like my blog 🙂 Have a great day
Stephanie says
That looks so much better! I love to see things organized like that! It is so calming!
Whimsy-ma-blog says
That looks great! And I actually use cleaning the playroom as a fix for boredom! Everytime they seem antsy, we go straighten up and it's instantly the most exciting room in the house! 🙂 Who knew motherhood involved so much manipulative psychology! 🙂
Jill @ Craft in a Northern Town says
Looks great! We actually did pretty much the same thing to our playroom last weekend as well. Next up on my list is organizing, cause it's pretty much chaos down there now. 🙂
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
Wow. Great project! Thanks for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says
I'm so honored that you chose to join the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop. Thank you for adding this special masterpiece to rock my party 🙂
Tracy @ CraftJunkieToo.com says
LOOOOVE this! 🙂
I'm so happy I found your blog through Kara's linky party today. 🙂
I'd like to invite you to share your creations sometime at my weekly linking party as well. I am really trying to grow my party to include lots of creative projects just like this one. Thanks for the consideration and here is the direct link if you'd like to check it out :). ~ Tracy
T.G.I.F. Linky Party
Michelle says
Wow, the paint made a world of difference. Our playroom is a total disaster all the time. Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!
Jamie says
What a great looking room. My kids LOVE playing in the attic. I would love for you to stop by and link up to More the Merrier Monday. It is open through Wednesday so you have plenty of time to link up. http://diyhshp.blogspot.com