Creating a fun and functional space for kids is a worthy undertaking. Playtime is foundational for learning and development, and who can’t use a space that is set aside just for fun! Whether it’s small or large, any playspace encourages creativity, large and fine motor skills, and can provide a place to spend many happy hours. When a separate playroom space isn’t in your budget, it’s key to remember that kids' bedrooms have always been more than just sleeping spaces. And, by creating zones for play, sleep, and learning, you can make a space that can grow and evolve with your family for years to come!

  Warm colored Tony Tony Tony shelves are on the wall siaplying tonies figures

From Baby Blocks to Chapter Books

Room for play can be made by reclaiming your walls to show off the things your kids use every day. Maximize space while infusing energy and personality into your design by choosing colorful and flexible shelving. You can kit out your room with the right tools to house toys or books, and display collected treasures easily. With a variety of customizable choices, you can mix and match metal and wood shelving to create a space tailored exactly to your kiddos. Let’s introduce you to some of our favorite options to make your room fit for oodles of fun.

Tony Tony Tony Shelves

Simple, sturdy, and fun! Perfect for younger kids who need easy access to everyone’s favorite storytelling figures, these shallow shelves can also hold other tiny treasures, collected rocks, and the like!

Designer tip: Play with contrasting colors and the concave and convex fit on these shelves to create a high-energy space, perfect for a playful and creative kids' room.

  Tony Tony Tony shelves in use
Keep toys within easy reach and make a design that pops with Tony Tony Tony.

Fat Lippie Shelves

Fat Lippie is a great place to create a simple library. With a little lip to hold books, set up a collection of children’s literature ideal for little hands to take on and off. Later, this could be replaced with a collection of Matchbox cars or Funko Pops. Teenagers can express their developing personal style with a collection of art and knick-knacks.

Designer tip: Pair with bright, eclectic accessories, and use the shelves as a color layer that creates a playful focal point in the room.

Roderick Shelves

Deeper shelves like Roderick are great for adding structure and function. Create a bookcase with warm wood and pops of color. Bigger book collections, stuffies, lamps, and plants–it can all fit on Roderick’s roomy shelves. With multiple wood and color combinations to choose from, teenagers can incorporate these into more “adult” aesthetic rooms —offering sophistication and versatility.

Designer tip: Experiment with combining wood and metal finishes to align with industrial or modern maximalist trends. Versatility is the name of the game with Roderick.

  Wood and metal Roderick shelves and randles on the wall
Wood and metal mix like a dream to make colorful and long-lasting bedroom playspaces.

Double Bender Shelves

For those looking for maximum storage and a statement piece in their design, Double Bender is the way to go! Colorful, magnetic, and able to double up on shelf space, this option is ideal for larger playrooms or shared spaces where a lot of display space is needed.

Designer tip: Create visually striking color-blocked zones with Double Bender shelves as a backdrop to organize everything from toys to books to keepsakes.

Aksel RADius Shelves

Sleek and modern with rounded edges, Aksel RADius is perfect for parents and kids who are thinking long-term with their designs. With 3 radius options to choose from, these hardwood shelves add a bit of sophistication without compromising on fun. They seamlessly blend into modern, clean designs while still offering a playful edge.

Designer tip: These shelves are great for holding tons of books, providing a deeper display for bigger items like Lego builds, and they are made to last for years to come with their clear finish and hardwood solidity.

Playful Add-Ons for Busy Bees

It’s easy to incorporate playfulness into big and small spaces with intentionally interactive design elements. Choosing products that create opportunities to play and stand up to wear and tear is where it’s at. When you want to keep bodies and brains active, choose to make space for movement. We’ve got a couple of suggestions that fit the bill!

  Monkey Bars climbing wall and Aksel RADius
Running low on floor space for fun? Climb the walls!

Monkey Bars

Elevate the play experience–literally! Monkey Bars aren’t just for hanging off of ceilings–although, they definitely rock at keeping whole bodies busy and engaged–they can also double as bunk bed rungs or be used as handles on the wall to support any climbing element. With stud-to-stud installation, they go in safely and stay put.

Designer tip: Integrate Monkey Bars into your space as a playful feature, aligning with the maximalist trend by using vibrant colors.

  Light yellow and orange Mosey Magnet boards arranged on the wall in a sun shape.
Use Mosey Magnet boards to make shapes that set your design apart.

Mosey Magnet Boards

Mosey Magnet Boards are perfect for kids who love to create and display. These boards can hold art, notes, or even act as a chore chart. With bold color options and unique shapes, they provide a dynamic, interactive element to any room.

Designer tip: Create a feature wall with multiple Mosey Magnet Boards in various shapes and colors—great for creating a dynamic backdrop that changes with your child’s creativity.

  Mixing and matching metal features for displaying books and art supplies
Setting up a section of your room to let loose is easy to do when you mix and match metal features.

Final Touches, Big Fun

Once you’ve got your space divided and planned for play, sleep and fun, add some finishing flair to your design with these stylish storage accessories.

Steel & Wood Hooks and Hangers

Hooks like the Why Not, Peggy, and Doohooky are perfect for hanging bags, hats, or superhero capes! Made of hardwoods and steel, our sturdy hooks can handle everything you want to hang. Multiple hooks equal lots of places to hang dress-up gear, jumpropes, backpacks—you name it! Their versatility and sleek design allow them to blend into any room while making a bold impact.

Designer tip: Consider using Steel & Wood Hooks in bright colors to complement your design scheme and make an impactful statement.

Peggy Hooks organizing costumes and toys, organizing a hallway
Peggy Hooks hang and organize costumes and toys, keeping play accessible and tidy.

GEO Bookends

The sleek, geometric design of GEO Bookends adds a fun pop of color and style to any bookshelf or display area. They not only keep books upright as promised, but also inject personality into the space with their rounded or angled options.

Tip for designers: Pair GEO Bookends with bold, colorful shelves like Fat Lippie or Tromso to make a strong design statement.

Bubble Fat Lippie Shelves

These whimsical, colorful shelves are great for creating a fun, vibrant vibe in a kids’ room. The bubble shape adds a playful element that can also be a key part of a maximalist design, where bold shapes and colors reign. With 3 or 5-inch deep options, the right depth is waiting for your favorite toys or collectibles to call it home.

Tip for DIY-ers: Use Bubble Fat Lippie shelves in a playful arrangement to bring an element of surprise to the room. Mix and match with other colorful shelving options for a dynamic effect.

Primary colored space with Bubble Fat Lippie and Geo bookends
Wave ledges, Roderick shelves and Geo bookends are rocking this primary colored space.

Rock Your Crib

Whether you’re creating a calm and peaceful space for your kiddos or a colorful room that makes all of your senses pop, Shelfology’s got a shelf, hook, or bookend to fit right in! With 31 powder and steel finishes, you can go maximalist or minimalist in any playspace. As self-expression becomes a dominant trend in interior design—lean into it! Your kids are unique, amazing individuals and their rooms are the perfect space to showcase their individuality. With Shelfology’s versatile products, you can curate a unique space that reflects and encourages your child’s personality and interests. Let us help you create a space that’s all about your family’s creativity and flair!