Designing Spaces for Where Architecture
Meets Imagination
PATTY LENZ BOVIE writer
home isn’t just where we live. For kids, it’s where they grow up. Where their earliest memories are born. That’s why many families today are designating spaces in their homes specifically for their growing children.
Unlike the attic crawl space or unfinished cellars we may have commandeered when we were young, today’s “playrooms” are often more intentional and elaborate. From basement hangouts to loft hideaways, homeowners are investing in unique spaces for their children to play, learn, and enjoy their youth without the constant watchful eye of an adult.
Start with a Dream, Finish with a Plan
Greg Ehrman, partner at Hutker Architects, starts with what he calls “the daydream phase of a project.” That’s where the magic begins and the practical realities build upon that. “We ask about client memories a place they used to visit, a relative’s house. Weaving those ideas into the project creates a sense of nostalgia within the new home,” he shares.
Before drawing the first blueprint for an extension, renovation, or new build, Ehrman urges his clients to think long-term. “It’s important to think generationally,” he says. “You have to imagine the home not now when we’re designing it, but what life is going to look like when it’s complete,” and down the road, and who’s going to live there.
That means anticipating change. Toddlers become teens, teens become college kids, and suddenly the bunk room needs to double as a guest suite. “The best spaces can accommodate all those situations,” Ehrman explains. “It’s not just about square footage.”
“It had a quirky window up high, a twisty staircase, and intentionally squeaky painted wood treads and risers.”
– Greg
Ehrman / Partner / Hutker Architects
Designing Spaces
The Details That Tell a Story
“I have these memories of being at my grandmother’s house when I was a kid,” Ehrman recalls. “There was a creepy back staircase that brings you to an old attic space, and we loved it.” So, for one of their clients, Hutker Architects recreated a similar experience, albeit in a new build. “It had a quirky window up high, a twisty staircase, and intentionally squeaky painted wood treads and risers.”
With creative carpentry including forgoing screws and glue, Hutker built the steps with an old-fashioned sensibility while still adhering to code. “We wanted the house to feel like it was built 150 years ago,” Ehrman says. Flooring with gaps between the planking, imperfect board widths, and painted floors create instant character. “There’s a timelessness to authentic materials and detailing.” Imperfection, Ehrman says, makes a house feel like home.
Whimsy Meets Timelessness
Kids grow fast, and their tastes change even faster. “The challenge is that they go through different phases, so spaces need to maintain some degree of design flexibility,” Jacob Lilley, principal architect and founder of Jacob Lilley Architects says. That’s why his team always takes future use into consideration.
“In one home with mixed-age children, we created a loft with an integrated ladder/bookshelf. It’s whimsical for a six-year-old with stuffed animals, but it works for a 22-year-old
“Floating bunks are whimsical, and the design details are not overly fussy OR too child-like.” –Jacob Lilley / Principal Architect and Founder / Jacob Lilley Architects
with books just as well. It leads to a loft that can be used as a hangout or as storage when needed.”
Lilley loves adding a touch of magic to his clients’ homes. “Floating bunks are whimsical, and the design details are not overly fussy or too child-like. With queen beds on the bottom, teenagers can use it as well.”
Even hardware can evolve: “Ceramic knobs with elephant heads can be easily swapped out for brushed nickel.”
Neutral or ageless palettes for permanent fixtures like window seats, window treatments, or built-ins are key. Your five-year-old will turn 15 quicker than you might expect and won’t want anything that looks child-like. “It’s easy to swap out a light fixture or paint a wall as tastes change,” Lilley explains. “But features like picture windows are engaging no matter the age.”
If you want to play it safe, paint colors like White Dove by Benjamin Moore or All White by Farrow and Ball are timeless. Wallpaper is a great option as well. “Abstract patterns can straddle the age gaps and give the room a focal point,” Lilley says. “London Art has wall coverings that are dynamic and fun. Or a unique lighting fixture can warm up a room literally and figuratively with a pop of color.”
From Dark Corners to Destination Zones
While basements often become a gathering spot for kids and teens, they present challenges low ceilings, excessive moisture, and limited natural light. Michael Gray, partner and managing director of Carpenter & MacNeille, knows how to get around those issues.
“In extreme instances we’ve dug into the basement floor to add
Designing Spaces
height for gyms or theaters. If that’s not an option, we might lower certain sections for focused activity. And adding a kitchenette to a designated hangout area saves trips upstairs and makes the space party-ready,” Gray says.
If a basement’s ceiling height is fixed, Gray suggests leaning into cozy zones: “Seating areas for TV or table games like pool and ping pong work well.”
Carpenter & MacNeille lowered the basement floor in one home to accommodate a step-up wooden stage that required additional head space. This allowed for tiered seating for an audience. Sound proofing was important as well. “We fully insulated the ceiling and walls to limit sound leaking,” Gray notes. “And we added sound-absorbing surfaces and introduced artificial air venting for good airflow.”
“Seating areas for TV or table games like pool and ping pong work well.”
–Michael Gray / Partner and Managing Director / Carpenter & MacNeille
Thinking Outside the Box
Kids’ spaces do not have to be limited by four walls, or any walls at all. Carpenter & MacNeille designed a year-round recreation area that includes a full-size basketball court with lights for evening play. In the winter, it can be flooded to double as an ice hockey rink. And one day, the homeowners may use it for pickleball.
Natural Light and Authentic Materials
Children thrive in spaces that feel connected to nature. “Simple, authentic materials, lots of natural light so there’s a connection to the outdoors those are keys to making a space desirable and happy,” Ehrman emphasizes. Think large windows, fresh air, and natural materials not four sheet rock walls and a door. “When the bones of a space have character, it feels intentional,” versus a leftover space that has been retrofitted.
Safety and Comfort Beneath the Floorboards
The look and feel of a room is only part of
Designing Spaces
what matters. Ehrman says, “HVAC, air circulation, and radon mitigation, especially in New England, are critical.” Radon a colorless, odorless radioactive gas forms naturally and can seep into homes through tiny cracks in the foundation. When trapped indoors, its buildup poses a serious health hazard. “Today’s building codes have made homes airtight, which can create environmental risks. It is critical to address air quality in all projects,” Ehrman notes.
Make It Fun, Make It Last
The ultimate goal of creating timeless kids’ spaces it to make them joyful, yet enduring. “A little contrast can make a room bright and cheery,” Ehrman says. “A painted floor or a fun, cherry-red light fixture can make the room sing. Home projects can be a bit of an adventure, and it takes a collaborative approach to get it just right.”
Lilley adds, “Creating spaces that are warm and cozy, but also timeless is the sweet spot. That’s where small details can make a big difference.” With the right mix of imagination and intention, you can create kids’ spaces in your home that grow with your family and tell your story for generations to come.
Five Takeaways for Designing
Kid-Friendly Spaces
n THINK LONG-TERM: Design for flexibility what works for a child should still feel right in teen years.
n PRIORITIZE LIGHT AND AIR: Natural light and good ventilation aren’t luxuries they’re essentials.
n INVEST IN AUTHENTIC MATERIALS: Imperfection adds character and durability.
n PLAN FOR PRACTICALITIES: Soundproofing, egress windows, and air quality matter as much as aesthetics.
n ADD WHIMSY WITHOUT REGRET: Built-ins, lofts, and splashes of color can delight kids while aging gracefully.
