When we first moved into our home, one of the biggest selling points was the beautiful sunroom. It was bright, cozy, and quickly became our favorite space to relax and unwind.

We set it up as a casual sitting area — the perfect spot for morning coffee and weekend lounging.

Then our little guy came along… and suddenly, all that open space felt like the perfect spot for a play room.

Reimagining the Layout

Originally, the front of our home was meant to be a formal living room.

But we’re not “formal living room” people — we’re “Legos on the floor and blanket fort” people.

The only issue?

That space had hardwood floors, while the sunroom was carpeted (a total win for little knees and toy crashes).

So, my husband had a genius idea: flip the spaces.

We turned the sunroom into a playroom and moved our living room furniture up front. It instantly made more sense for how we actually live.

Choosing a Playful, Practical Design

We already loved the paint color in the sunroom — Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue — so we kept it.

The color adds a fun, fresh vibe without feeling overwhelming, and it works perfectly with colorful toys and kid-friendly accents.

To make the walls more playful, I added a race-car wall decal that wraps around two walls.

It brought so much life and movement to the room without needing a full mural or expensive art.

Making Storage Simple (and Safe)

As our son grew, the toys multiplied — and so did the mess. He started pulling things off open shelves, and I realized we needed a safer, smarter storage system.

Cue our IKEA run. We picked up two Kallax shelving units plus a single cube shelf to create a DIY window bench. Under the bench, we used bins to corral all the toys — cars, puzzles, blocks, and more.

The result?

Hidden storage, cozy seating, and easy cleanup.

I used colorful pillows from IKEA to soften the bench (bonus: easy to wash when spills happen).

And since I’m all about function, I labeled every bin so even my toddler could help clean up.

The bins were ones I used when teaching, proving that you don’t always need to buy new organizing products — repurposing works just as well.

Read More On Our DIY Projects:

Playroom Toy Organizer IKEA Bench

Stop Toy Clutter With Toy Bin Labels

How To Organize A Toy Room On A Budget

Let There Be Light (But Not Too Much)

One of the sunroom’s best features is its natural light.

But as any parent knows, mid-day sunshine in your eyes can quickly send playtime running into another room.

We found honeycomb blinds — affordable, easy to install, and the perfect solution.

Now we can filter the light without blocking it completely, keeping the space bright but comfortable all day long.

The Finishing Touches

To finish the space, we gave an old hand-me-down bookshelf a new life with white paint and shelf liner for a little extra character.

It’s now filled with books, puzzles, and favorite toys — proof that a mix of old and new can feel completely fresh with just a little effort.

Play Room Transformation

What started as a bright little sunroom turned into the most loved room in our home.

It’s functional, cheerful, and constantly evolving as our kids grow.

And that’s the best part — a space that works with your family, not against it.

Here’s the playroom before bench cushions:

Here’s The Play Room After Cushions:SaveSave