KIDS' PLAYROOM DESIGN - CREATING INTENTIONAL, FUNCTIONAL SPACES
Within the design of every custom home floor plan, I like to include unexpected pockets of space that are intentional, purpose driven and filled with functionality and delight.
For this week’s post, I’m taking you behind the scenes with the design development of one such space. We’ll go through the design challenges, then I’ll outline the solutions with five essential design tips for creating impactful spaces that would have otherwise gone unused, underutilized or underdeveloped.
Scroll down to see photos from the recent groundbreaking for this project. It was quite a celebration! The clients, were there of course, and their family and friends, the architects, the contractor and his team. And to make it even sweeter for me, I even had a couple of family members that came too.
CITRUS POINT PROJECT - NEW BUILD, MESA, ARIZONA
The clients at the Citrus Point Project wanted to make sure that every inch of their house counted, so besides designing efficient floor plans, we took the opportunity to create unique spaces.
REC ROOM BED CUBBY
For example, along an exterior wall in the 2nd story, the architect noted space that was nestled below the eaves of the roofline that could be incorporated within the rec room design. Initially the area was called out as a potential bed cubby. Once I started designing the interior elevations it became clear that though a twin mattress would easily fit within the footprint of the space, the height limitations caused by the eves, would make it difficult, if not impossible to change the bedding, clean around and underneath the bed, and retrieve dropped objects. Even getting in and out of the bed would have been tricky.
PLAY ROOM AND TOY STORAGE
Because of all the challenges noted above, we pivoted away from the sleep cubby to explore new ideas for the space. After considering with the clients, it was decided that a place for play and toy storage for their grand kids would be the perfect addition to the rec room.
5 ESSENTIAL DESIGN TIPS FOR CREATING UNIQUE SPACES THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE GONE UNUSED, UNDERUTILIZED OR UNDERDEVELOPED
.01
Identify areas on the floor plan that provide an opportunity to create a unique, yet functional pocket of space.
What’s the height, width and length of the space?.02
Based on the dimensions, explore potential ways to define the space.
What purpose could be given to the space that would provide the most benefit for the home owners and their family?.03
Consider the approach and accessibility.
How will the space be approached and accessed?.04
Consider the circulation and movement around the pocket of space you are working with.
Will it be easily accessed and comfortably used without interfering with adjacent rooms and activities?.05
Contemplate ways to incorporate architectural details and finishes that will enhance the space, while still relating to the established style of the home.
What design details can be added to create something unique and memorable?
CITRUS POINT PROJECT - playroom design
Let’s take a look at how the five design tips above, guided and directed the design of the playroom space.
.01
AVAILABLE SPACE
You can see from the graphic shown below how much space we had available to work with. When it comes to developing floor plans, it’s all about specific, actual measurements. Especially in a project where every inch counts in achieving the clients’ objectives.
.02
EXPLORE POTENTIAL WAYS TO DEFINE THE SPACE
Once I had a good handle on the height, width and depth of the available space in a Zoom meeting the client and I explored ideas of how to define the space that would best serve their needs. It turned out to be an easy decision for the client - a playroom with toy storage for the win!
.03
Consider the approach and accessibility.
.04
Consider the circulation and movement around the pocket of space you are working with.
In the preliminary floor plan for the rec room, the architect showed the access to the space on the wall between where the ping pong table is and what is now going to be the playroom. Notice how I moved the entrance to the playroom around the corner, just at the start of the hallway. I did this to improve the access and to eliminate congestion for the ping pong table with going in and out of the playroom.
.05
Contemplate ways to incorporate architectural details and finishes that will enhance the space, while still relating to the established style of the home.
Based on architectural details, half-rounds and elongated lines that we’ve designed to be included throughout the entire house, I followed suit by incorporating the following details within the playroom design.
Portholes in the wall shared between the ping pong area and playroom
Tongue and groove on the playroom ceiling
Floating wood bench at the end of the playroom
Swinging, cafe doors that include long horizontal slats with a rounded detail on each end
Similar color palette that we’re using throughout the home
SIDE NOTE
Besides for repeating the lines and shapes that we’ve used throughout the home, there are also practical reasons that I included the portholes and the slatted cafe doors within the design of the playroom.
Provide more natural and artificial light to the playroom
Provide ventilation and air flow
Provide an easy way to keep an eye on the kiddos
Provide playfulness and whimsy within the design. *Besides the esthetic value, I’m certain that the details will encourage actual play with hide and seek and peek-a-boo type games.
BEHIND THE SCENES - DESIGN PROCESS
If you’re like me and love to see the process behind creative work, here are a couple of overlay sketches that I did while designing and problem-solving the playroom design. Once I complete the design work, I pass my drawings on to a design assistant who then prepares them in AutoCAD and SketchUp (like are shown above).
CITRUS POINT PROJECT - GROUNDBREAKING
A couple of weeks ago, I made a whirlwind, but immensely rewarding trip to Arizona to meet the clients and the rest of the design and build team for the official groundbreaking. It was a wonderful way to celebrate with everyone the 1.5 years of collaborating and planning. I think I can speak for the entire team when saying, we can’t wait to see this this beautiful home come to fruition!
CITRUS POINT PROJECT GROUND BREAKING - PHOTO COURTESY OF AFT CONSTRUCTION
CITRUS POINT PROJECT GROUND BREAKING - PHOTO COURTESY OF AFT CONSTRUCTION
GROUP PHOTO - WHO’S WHO
Shown below, starting in the center, are the clients, with all of their children and grandkids to the left, along with some dear friends.
On the front row, and to the right of the clients are architects Brian Hebdon and James Jones (lead architect on the project), from Hebdon Studios, and then me.
Brad Leavitt owner of AFT Construction, the host of the groundbreaking, is third from the right, along with his team on the back row and immediately to the left of him.
And as a huge bonus for me, my daughter and son-in-law, who live in Arizona also came to the groundbreaking. They are on the far right.
CITRUS POINT PROJECT GROUND BREAKING - PHOTO COURTESY OF AFT CONSTRUCTION
TF DESIGN
GOOD FIT?
Due to my comprehensive approach to design I invest a lot of time, energy, and even a lot of love into each of my projects. If you are hoping to work together, and think that TF Design would be a good fit for your new build project or whole house remodel (full service only - starting with the floor plan phase and working all the way through to the completion of construction), reach out via the contact page on my website, and answer all the questions as thoroughly as you can. Once received, I’ll review and get back with you.
FLOOR PLAN REVIEW + CONSULTATIONS
Don’t need full service design but you have a new custom home project in the works where you are feeling unsure about the floor plan? You can get expert spatial guidance and direction with your your floor plan through the Floor Plan Review and Consultation. I’ll redline your floor plans and then provide potential solutions. This service is intended for those needing an extra layer of expertise with their floor plans before they are finalized.
DESIGN CONSULTATIONS
Don’t need a floor plan review exactly, but you’re feeling stuck in uncertainty and are looking for guidance with design questions specific to your project but don’t know where to go? I’m here for you.
With more than 22 years experience as a custom home designer, I can help guide you through the design dilemmas that you are facing through my new 60 minute virtual design consultations. During our time together I will answer your questions, provide solutions, all while explaining the reasoning behind them. That way you have a better understanding of the why’s and why-nots of good design and can move forward with confidence.
“The Design Consultation with Tami was a great investment. Tami provided very detailed recommendations on how to improve our design and gave many tips on the do’s and don'ts when redesigning spaces. This helped us have a clearer understanding of design, thus expediting the design process and getting us one step closer to a complete home.” - Gilbert, OREGON