London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Mar 09, 2026

How to Create the World's Most Insane Playroom

How to Create the World's Most Insane Playroom

Climbing wall, craft station, and more: Regan Baker shows how to create the adventure zone of your kids’ dreams.

Tucked downstairs in a San Francisco home, you’ll find the envy of the neighborhood: what just might be the world's coolest playroom, complete with climbing wall, rope wall, and craft center extraordinaire. “The homeowners wanted their kids to have a place to goof off while they have a party upstairs,” explains the room's designer, Regan Baker. The couple had seen an adventure-themed, tented kids’ room Baker dreamed up for a show house and enlisted her to transform their wine-storage room into something their three kids would love. It’s now known as the Romp Roomขor, the playroom to beat all playrooms.

“The idea was to really engage and activate the space,” says the designer. Wine racks became color-blocked art-supply storage, an unused wall was turned into a climbing wall, and soft, modular furniture was brought in to allow for (gentle) roughhousing. And yet, the space still feels orderly and refined. After all, says Baker, “they want it to be a room their kids can grow up in.” Jealous yet? Read on for the best takeaways from the spaceขand maybe find a little inspiration to create your own fantastic playspace. Happy romping!

Every item has its place.




Ikea’s SKÅDIS system puts all kinds of art supplies on display. “We’re huge fans of organizing,” says Baker.

Despite the numerous activities going on in the craft and play spaces, the room is rarely messy (even when it hasn't been styled for a photo shoot). And there's a reason for that: “Having bins teaches kids to pick up after themselves, because everything has its place,” says Baker. Storage baskets from the Container Store encourage neatness, while utensil holders on the IKEA SKÅDIS pegboard make it easy to return art supplies to their proper places, teaching kids good behavior while keeping the room spic and span.

Organization can be decor.




To take that idea one step further, well-organized supplies can even become part of the decor. Take, for example, the color-blocked tilted shelves in the onetime wine unitat the ready for craft projects, and a colorful art installation when not in use.

Keep a blank canvas at the ready.


A wall-mounted roll of kraft paper lets kids get creative without parents having to lug out materials, giving kids an added sense of ownership over their art.

Craft paper and art hangers on the wall near the craft space.

Display art proudly (and easily).


Wire art hangers give proper recogni­tion to mini masterpieces, which can be switched up easilyขkiddos can even hang their own.

Create a crash pad.


Plush furniture in the more active side of the space (like a low, modular sofa from BoConcept and floor cushions from Urban Outfitters) keeps rambunctious toddlers safe, while a restrained palette elevates the overall look.

A climbing wall isn't as complex as it seems.


A climbing wall, like the one Baker created, isn't too hard to create, despite having the effect of an adventure park attraction. Baker installed a plywood backboard (to withstand kicks, scratches, and grip adjustments) then installed grips, which can be unscrewed and rearranged as kids growขor become too adroit with one layout. For safety purposes, be sure to read all grip instructions carefullyขand, unless you're a top-level DIYer, best to play it safe and have a contractor install your wall.

Try a rope wall.


Baker worked with specialists at Jammar to create a custom rope wall, which her contractor installed above the ceiling to avoid the look of anchors. You can also opt for a Swing-N-Slide for a ready-to-use option.

Yoga accessory = kids' dream swing


Baker bought the kind of fabric swing used for aerial yoga, shibori-dyed it, and had it TRX-secured, creating an indoor swing kids of all ages will love.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Declines UK Offer to Deploy Aircraft Carriers to Middle East Amid Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Return to Australia After Seven Years for Philanthropic and Business Engagements
UK Government Signals Independence From Washington as Cooper Says Britain Does Not Agree With Trump on Every Issue
UK Experts Warn AI Chatbots Are Fueling Surge in Claims of Organised ‘Satanic’ Ritual Abuse
UK Political Parties Divided Over Strategy as Iran Conflict Reshapes Foreign Policy Debate
Britain Discloses Secret Military Repair Hubs Operating Inside Ukraine
Trump Says US No Longer Needs UK Carrier Support After Delayed Offer Amid Iran Conflict
Why Britain Has Become Involved in the US-Israel Military Campaign Against Iran
UK Gas Storage Falls to Under Two Days as Iran Conflict Jolts Global Energy Markets
UK Warned to Brace for Economic Shock as Iran War Drives Global Energy Price Surge
Starmer and Trump Hold First Call After Public Dispute Over Iran Conflict
UK Dentists Returned £1.3 Billion to Government as Shift Toward Private Care Accelerates
Expert Warns UK Must Build Emergency Food Stockpiles to Prepare for Climate Shocks or War
UK Plans Charter Flight to Evacuate British Nationals from Gulf as Regional Conflict Disrupts Air Travel
Families of Zimbabwe’s Liberation Fighters Call on Britain to Help Locate Skulls Taken During Colonial War
Iran’s Ambassador Warns Britain to ‘Be Very Careful’ Over Deeper Role in Expanding Middle East War
UK Military Leadership Defends Britain’s Defensive Role in Expanding Middle East Conflict
Four U.S. Strategic Bombers Arrive in Britain as Iran War Intensifies
Soham Murderer Ian Huntley Dies After Violent Attack in High-Security Prison
UK Lawmakers and Experts Condemn Scale of Overseas Human Remains Held in British Museums
Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales Placed on Standby for Potential Deployment
United Kingdom Confirms U.S. Military Using British Bases for Operations Targeting Iranian Missile Sites
Starmer Defends UK Role in Iran Conflict After Renewed Criticism from President Trump
Blue Owl Reveals £36 Million Exposure After Collapse of UK Lender Serving Wealthy Clients
UK Asylum Reform Plan Triggers Fierce Debate Over Border Control and Humanitarian Impact
US Stealth Bombers Head to UK Base as Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran
UK Deputy Prime Minister Says Legal Case Could Exist for British Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites
Investigators Link Mysterious Parcel Fires Across Europe to Russian Intelligence Operation
Debate Intensifies Over Britain’s Legal Justification for US Military Operations Launched From UK Bases
Britain Faces Heightened Energy Price Risks as Iran-Linked Tensions Threaten Global Oil and Gas Supplies
British Counter-Terror Police Arrest Four Suspected of Spying on Jewish Community for Iran
Axel Springer Agrees $770 Million Deal to Acquire Britain’s Daily Telegraph
Iceland Supermarket Drops Trademark Challenge Against Icelandic Government in Long-Running Naming Dispute
UK Defence Secretary Visits Cyprus Following Scrutiny of Britain’s Response to Drone Attacks
Questions Grow Over Britain’s Military Readiness as Response to Iran Conflict Draws Scrutiny
UK Offers Failed Asylum Seeker Families Up to Forty Thousand Pounds to Leave Voluntarily
Saharan Dust Could Bring ‘Blood Rain’ to Parts of the UK as Weather Systems Shift
UK Deploys Additional Typhoon Fighter Jets to Qatar and Helicopters to Cyprus Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
Experts Urge Britain to Accelerate Renewable Energy Push as Global Conflicts Drive Up Costs
British Public Shows Strong Reluctance to Join Wider War in Iran
First UK Evacuation Flight Departs Middle East After Lengthy Delay
United Kingdom Imposes New Visa Requirements on Travelers from St. Lucia and Nicaragua
Iran Conflict Strains U.S.–U.K. Alliance as Trump and Starmer Clash Over Military Strategy
UK Interest Rates Could Rise Above Four Percent Again if Energy Shock Continues, Think Tank Warns
Starmer Defends Britain’s Iran Strategy as Badenoch Urges Stronger Military Support
Labour MP Says She Saw No Sign Husband Broke Law After Arrest in China Espionage Investigation
UK Jobless Rate Overtakes Italy’s for First Time in Years as Labour Market Weakens
United Kingdom Suspends Student Visas for Four Countries in Unprecedented Immigration Move
Campaigners Warn UK Student Visa Ban Could Push Migrants Toward Dangerous Channel Crossings
First U.K. Charter Flight for Stranded Nationals Set to Depart Oman Amid Middle East Crisis
×