There’s something bittersweet about updating a playroom. It’s exciting because they’re growing, evolving, becoming more themselves, but it’s also a quiet acknowledgment that we’ve moved well past the toddler stage.
My daughter is now in first grade. She’s wildly imaginative. She builds. She creates. She paints. She plays with dolls. She choreographs routines. She loves making music and racing cars. She’s constantly crafting and she still uses her kitchen as a 5-star dining experience. She invents her own games, builds forts and has never met a box or stuffy she didn’t love. She has strong opinions about her music and while she has access to streaming music, I adore that she loves the ritual of physical media (like her parents), and her little starter suitcase record player and her modest but growing collection.
She retreats to her playroom as soon as she gets home from school and first thing in the morning on the weekends, and the space needed to grow up with her. My goals were simple:
- Cull anything she had outgrown
- Add more storage
- Create more usable floor space
- Make the room function better for her current stage
What I didn’t expect? That a custom 3×2 IKEA Kallax hack would completely transform the room.
*Posts on KelleyNan.com may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click HERE for full disclosure.
Playroom Before & After
Where we started more than four years ago included a whimsical-ish forest theme with play things she loved/we hoped she would love. We didn’t really have any playroom experience or a proven track record of what would prove to be successful in our planning, but over the years, we learned. And, over the years, the way Eliza uses her playroom has evolved.
Light Fixture | Teepee Tent | Table | Chairs | Tufted Storage Bench | Play Kitchen | Step Stool (similar) | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Butterfly Poster | Rug | Faux Sheepskin Rug (similar) | Felt Garland on Teepee | Play Kitchen | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Window Shades | Curtains
A few things I knew I wanted to change…
- I envisioned both art and tea parties at her play table but she didn’t really do much of the tea party thing, her art supplies was stored in her playroom closet (difficult to access), and the table surface was a junk collector. She never had actual space to create and the configuration of the table came into the room, taking up valuable floor real estate.
- The tent never stayed perfect, took up space, and wasn’t used as much as I had assumed it would be. I nixed that a while ago. We phased out the trees as the lights burned out and while they were adorable and whimsical, they took up too much valuable space.
- A lot of cute but random baskets were’t idea for staying tide or for organizaiton.
Fast forward to today, and here’s what our little girl’s playroom looks like!
Light Fixture | Table | Chairs | Step Stool (similar) | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Rug | Hearth & Hand Doll House | Hearth & Hand Doll Camper | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player | Window Shades | Curtains
Originally, I really thought I was going to change out her wall mural/paint/do something more major in terms of theme/design/color scheme, but there really is so much that she hasn’t phased out of, I ultimately decided that this revamp would focus more on functional upgrades and less on aesthetics. When her play starts looking different is maybe when I’ll reconsider making some “older” updates.
There’s plenty that stayed in place. Like this upholstered, hinged storage trunk that holds her dolls (same trunk, new use). I love using this almost as a window seat to make the most of the small amount of space below her window. This bench has BEEN THROUGH IT and has had more accidents than I can describe but it’s so durable, I don’t think there’s been anything between crayon, snacks, paint, marker, etc. that THIS little cleaner guy hasn’t been able to handle.
Upholstered Storage Bench | Rainbow Pillow | Wicker Doll Pram
Her little kitchen is still in place, too. She still plays with and loves using her imagination so I’m certainly not rushing her away from it.
Play Kitchen | Towel Rod (for kitchen utensils) | S Hooks (for utensils) | Butterfly Poster | Poster Frame (pack of 2) | Blushing Bird Art | Apron | Pots and Pans Set | Wooden Utensils | Gold Pencil Cup “Crock” (SIMILAR)
The Biggest Change: Two Custom 3×2 Kallax Units
The hero of this entire transformation is the IKEA Kallax storage shelving units. Now here’s the catch — IKEA has a LOT of Kallax configurations (I first used it in my vinyl record nook HERE) — but they don’t actually make a 3×2 configuration.
I originally would have chosen two 4×2 units to flank her table — but the length of the wall simply wouldn’t allow it. The proportions would have swallowed the room and eaten up precious floor space.
Table | Chairs | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Rattan Waste Basket | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player
And in a playroom, floor space is everything. So instead, I found a way to create two custom 3×2 units using:
Table | Chairs | Storage Bench | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Rattan Waste Basket | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player
Reconfigured and assembled strategically, I was able to build two horizontal 3×2 units that fit the wall perfectly. One small piece left over. It felt like unlocking a secret IKEA level.
Table | Chairs | Wallpaper Mural | Rattan Waste Basket | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player
Why 3×2 Was the Sweet Spot
The 3×2 size solved multiple problems at once.
1. They Don’t Exceed Two Cubes in Height
This was non-negotiable for me.I didn’t want the storage units towering over her. Keeping them at two cubes high means:
- She can independently access everything.
- The tops function as usable play surfaces.
- The room still feels open and airy.
On top, we now have:
- Her dollhouse
- Her record player
- Rotating play setups
Acrylic Shelves (packs of two) | Hearth & Hand Doll House | Hearth & Hand Doll Camper | Foldable Fabric Bins
Acrylic Shelves (packs of two) | Hearth & Hand Doll House | Hearth & Hand Doll Camper | Foldable Fabric Bins | Shelf Insert
It’s storage and play surface in one.
Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player | Plastic Pencil Cases
Because we were able to move her dollhouse, I was able to eliminate a table/stand we had solely for the dollhouse, which freed up another small wall. In its place, I was able to situate her little chair and turn it into a usable reading area, complete with her floor lamp and a basket ottoman, housing her extra throw blankets. She previously had no adequate room for this.
Anywhere Chair | Woven Storage Ottoman | Golden Retriever Dog Doll | Poodle Dog Doll
2. They Flank Her Table Perfectly
Her former play table is now more of an desk/art/work table, pushed against the wall between the two cubby units. I was able to eliminate two unnecessary chairs, also.
This simple shift:
- Opened up the center of the room
- Created a designated “maker zone”
- Made the layout feel intentional rather than crowded
Table | Chairs | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll
Everything has a place — and the room finally breathes. I also brought her supplies out of the closet and arranged the essentials on her table — easy to access, easy to put away, all with distinct homes. I can’t rave enough about THESE acrylic lazy susans that I ordered after far too much research to find the *perfect* supply carousels. The size of the compartments is ideal and I love the little handles, too. I also love THIS monitor shelf with drawer and space underneath for tablets/paper that makes the perfect organization surface and drawer unit.
Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll
Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll
The Power of Purging + Reconfiguring
Before adding anything new, I purged. And then I purged again. The wonderful but difficult thing about Eliza is she picks no favorites and truly does play with EVERYTHING she has. And, she still has so many interests. Because of her loyal and whimsical spirit, I would venture to say that thinning out her collections is likely a more difficult task for us. Her playroom closet has more “large”, unwieldy toys than before, but it’s majorly the same as when I first shared her organized playroom closet. You can see that full post HERE.
Full Playroom Storage Post w/ Sources
Full Playroom Storage Post w/ Sources
Most of her stuffies live in her room; I refer to these as her “Tier 2” stuffies — the ones that aren’t as precious, won out of machines, etc. Make no mistake though — these are still just as loved and she would never refer to them as anything inferior to her Cuddle & Kind and other higher priced loves. 😉 I have tried more than once to thin out her stuffed animal collection but she has noticed them — by name — each and every time. HERE is her stuffy door net organizer that I appreciate for its simple use with substantial amount of storage.
We sorted, donated, trashed, reorganized, and gave every category of toy a defined home within the cubbies and inside the closet.
The result is beyond satisfying.
- She can see what she owns.
- All her toys are actually getting playtime.
- Nothing is buried in chaotic piles.
- I can walk across the room without risking a twisted ankle.
That alone feels revolutionary.
More Floor Space = More Imagination
This might be my favorite part. Because the storage now hugs the wall and stays low-profile, the middle of the room is wide open. She can now do gymnastics; build elaborate setups with blocks, Magnatiles, racetracks, etc.; spread out art projects, games, and puzzles; and stage entire doll storylines and meals from her kitchen.
The room works with her imagination now — instead of competing with it.
Table | Chairs | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Hearth & Hand Doll House | Hearth & Hand Doll Camper | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player | Acrylic Shelves (packs of two)
A Playroom That Matches Her Stage
The chaos era is over — I’m claiming that reality, haha. This version of the playroom feels creative but contained, functional but not sterile, and age-appropriate but not overly grown. And, it fully supports her love for:
- Art
- Building
- Dolls
- Music
- Big, imaginative play
And maybe just as importantly, it supports my sanity, too. 🤪
What’s Inside the Kallax Cubbies?
Again, after what some may deem as too much research, I settled on the value of THESE 13″x13″ foldable Amazon cubes. THRILLED. They fit perfectly, don’t have bunchy fabric, and are stable enough for what Eliza uses them for. I ordered two sets of four and they come in several colors.
I also ordered the following Kallax wooden inserts for multi-tiered storage.
- 4-shelf insert (perfect for paper, coloring books, workbooks, etc.)
- single shelf insert (specifically purchased to have two rows of plastic storage containers)
Wallpaper Mural | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player | Plastic Pencil Cases
If You’re Considering a Kallax Hack…
If your space doesn’t quite work with the standard IKEA sizing, don’t be afraid to think creatively. The 3×2 configuration was exactly what this wall needed — and it gave us the custom look without custom pricing. After some Google searches, I found a Reddit thread of people who had successfully and easily modified their Kallax configurations. As someone who is only DIY “lite”, I’ve gotten to where I can quickly, easily, and confidently put together a Kallax unit. I also prefer watching YouTube instructions as opposed to following written instructions.
Sometimes the perfect solution isn’t what’s available on the shelf. It’s what you build from it.
Light Fixture | Table | Chairs | Step Stool (similar) | Wallpaper Mural | Pin Board | Rug | Hearth & Hand Doll House | Hearth & Hand Doll Camper | Foldable Fabric Bins | Black Bin Labels | Label Maker | Lazy Susans | Monitor Shelf | Paper Roll Holder | Paper Roll | Abacus | Globe | Suitcase Record Player | Window Shades | Curtains
Kelley, you are a wonderful room designer. You have thought of so many things and didn’t just dump everything to start over. Great room to keep on growing older in.
Karen, thank you!! So far, so good. It’s working like I’d hoped and (with reminders and encouragement, haha), she’s been able to pick up after herself and return her things to their appropriate spots.