London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Oct 03, 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
Church of England to Apologize for Role in Historical Forced Adoptions
UK Defence Ministry Investigates Historical Use of RAF Bases by Jeffrey Epstein
Scottish Housing Completions Fall to 11-Year Low
Welsh First Minister Calls for Expanded Devolution Settlement
UK Pledges £50 Million to Expand Domestic Military Drone Capabilities
UK Opens First Commercial Geothermal Plant in Cornwall
Green Party Wins Gorton and Denton By-Election as Labour Falls to Third
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Opens Review of UK-EU Relationship
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1%, Adding Pressure on Household Finances
UK Removes VAT From Domestic Electricity Bills to Ease Winter Energy Costs
Counterterrorism Police Arrest Sixth Suspect Over RAF Fairford Incident
UK Councils to Receive Sweeping Planning Powers to Ban New Vape and Betting Shops
Chancellor John Healey Faces Tax and Pension Scrutiny Ahead of Autumn Budget
Metropolitan Police Apologise for Accidental Disclosure in High-Profile Investigation
UK Universities Report Record International Enrolment as Housing Pressure Grows
UK Logistics Firms Monitor Rhine Disruption as Low Water Threatens European Supply Chains
UK Food Industry Warns Inflation Could Approach 7%
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and Mandatory Retail Stamps
Scotland Raises Property Taxes and Expands Child Payment in Annual Budget
Greggs Plans Four Factory Closures With 740 Jobs at Risk
OECD Raises UK 2026 Growth Forecast to 1.1%
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% as Bank of England Faces Rate Debate
Andy Burnham Criticises Brexit and Says Rejoining EU Single Market Remains an Option
UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russian Military Networks and Propagandists
UK Launches Nationwide Early-Release Prison Scheme
Andy Burnham Says Security Services See Signs of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Incident
Manchester City Found Guilty on Premier League Financial Charges After Independent Investigation
Scottish Court to Rule on Bid to Force No-Confidence Vote Against Aberdeen Council Co-Leader
UK Bans Extra Charges for Seating Children Under 12 Beside Accompanying Adults
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and New Licensing Requirements
Greggs to Close Four UK Factories and Cut 740 Jobs
Hundreds of Prisoners Released Early as England and Wales Prisons Reach 98% Capacity
UK Unveils New Russia Sanctions Targeting War Funding and Shadow Fleet
Burnham Says There Are Strong Indications of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Security Breach
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Raises Prospect of Reviewing Britain's Post-Brexit EU Relationship
Markets Price in Bank of England Rate Increases as Inflation Rises to 3.1%
UK Borrowing Costs Climb Toward 5.5% as Global Bond Sell-Off Intensifies
UK-France One-In-One-Out Migration Agreement Expires as London Seeks Alternative Measures
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
×