Ideas for Kids' Corners

Every kid needs a corner to call his own -- a space for reading the latest mystery or somewhere to relax after a tough day of algebra. Design a space for your child to chill by incorporating innovative storage, comfortable seating and cozy lighting to brighten even the rainiest of days.

  1. Make Space for Books

    • Clear up space in your kid's corner by moving the books up off the floor. Traditional book shelves take up precious space and easily become dusty, messy and disorganized. Get your child's books up on the wall using unconventional shelving such as picture ledges or sections of rain gutter with the end caps safely attached. These types of wall-mounted storage units display books with their covers easily visible. They always look organized, the books are easy to find and they can be painted to match the decor in your corner.

    Add Room to Recline

    • Folding camping cots make perfect sense in a kid's corner. Add three or four soft, squishy throw pillows and a chenille throw and you have space for two to three kids to sit comfortably or one child to stretch out and play his hand-held game. Depending upon the brand, camping cots can hold up to 300 pounds, but their best feature is how easily they fold away to clear up floor space. Mount hooks on the wall to stow your cots when the kids aren't using them. Oversized bean bags and saucer chairs also make for comfy lounging.

    Bring the Board Games Out of the Basement

    • Board games are a necessity in a kid's corner, but storing them can be a problem in a small space. Use a ceiling-mounted overhead storage shelf, such as one you might mount in your garage. One shelf, hung securely, holds all the board games you need for your corner. It keeps them off the floor and tucks them neatly away, yet still accessible to most children age 8 to 11. Add a folding step stool for younger kids, or require them to find the nearest adult when it's game time. If you're a crafty parent, you can build your own shadow boxes from plexiglas and wood moulding, and display your board games as wall art.

    Light the Way

    • Kids love touch lights, and they're an innovative, low-cost option for lighting up a dark corner. Find them shaped like flowers, mushrooms or with the moon and stars in the middle. Mount them to the wall of your kid's corner in clusters as a design element. Enlighten your kids on the importance of turning them off though, or you'll burn through too many batteries to make it worth the while. If there's no overhead light in the space, consider adding a floor lamp or two in crucial areas.

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