Under the Stairs Playroom

We have a small storage room under the stairs that we did not know what to do with.  Originally we put a small desk in there with a computer for the kids but they never really used the computer so the room pretty much went unused.  Then we used it for storage for a few months but we have such a large storage room in the basement that we decided to give the small room under the stairs a makeover since we have baby #3 due in a few weeks.

We decided to create a playroom under the stairs for the kids!  They picked the theme, which is Under the Sea, and they helped paint and decorate it.  It was a fun family project that only took a couple days.

First we cleared out the room.

Because the room was used for storage the paint was scratched off in many places but that wasn't a big deal because we were painting it anyways. 

I used a darker color paint to touch up the bottom part of the room.  Since the bottom will look like sand the different colors of tan and beige will look just fine after we use sponge brushes on it.

 I put Press n Seal on the carpet along the walls so that any paint drips wouldn't get on the carpet.  Considering my kids were going to help paint I knew this was important and once the painting was done and I saw all the drips on the Press n Seal I was glad I didn't forget this step.

The kids used sponge brushes and a lighter paint color to make the bottom look like sand.  They just dabbed the sponge brushes in the paint and then dabbed the wall.  It was pretty easy for them.

Next we painted about half way up the wall with blue paint.

The next step was to mix the same blue paint with white paint to paint the upper half of the wall a lighter color.  This idea was my daughter's.  She thought it would look better for the blue to be lighter as it went up.  It really adds some depth to the room.

 As you can see the kids got some paint on the trim but because I kept checking on their progress with the painting I was able to just wipe it off before it dried.

The sand at the bottom looks great and the change in blue looks great too.  The kids did such an amazing job painting.  I barely had to help at all.

On one side of the wall I hung picture ledges from IKEA so that the kids could put books or toys on them.

On the other side of the wall I put stackable IKEA shoe cabinets so that they can put toys in them.

Next was the fun part for the kids.  I bought 4 packs of ocean themed wall stickers for the kids to decorate the walls.  Once again they did a great job picking where to place the stickers to make the whole room look pretty neat.

The kids put books on the shelves and toys in the cabinets.  I had some old throw pillows that I let them put on the floor so they can lay on them when they read or play.

Overall the whole remodel cost less than $150.  I already had all the paint from other projects.  The wall stickers cost about $60 and the IKEA shelves and cabinets cost about $80.

This was an easy family project and because the kids were involved in almost every step I think they appreciate it even more.  They really enjoy the space and I know when baby #3 gets old enough it will be a great little play room she can enjoy as well.