London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Sep 26, 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
Prosecutors Seek More Than 10 Years in Prison for Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
UK Provided £66 Million in Emergency Security Funding for Mosques After Southport Disorder
Manston Inquiry Examines Role of Government Decisions in 2022 Overcrowding Crisis
Justice System Capacity Pressures Raise Concerns Over Release of Sex Offenders
UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Widens to Record £21.1 Billion
UK Releases Climate Security Findings Previously Withheld Under Starmer
TalkTalk Races to Sell Consumer and Broadband Businesses as Administration Threat Looms
NHS Bodies Impose Minimum Two-Year Waits for ADHD and Autism Assessments
Andy Burnham Pledges £210 Million to Revive Boarded-Up High Streets
UK Borrowing Reaches £18.3 Billion in August Ahead of Autumn Budget
Vistry Cuts Profit Outlook as Losses Deepen and Private Home Sales Weaken
Reported Assaults on Great Britain’s Railways Rise Sharply
Far-Right Activist Daniel Thomas Arrested After Channel Dinghy Slashing
Ukrainians in Britain Face Greater Homelessness Risk as Host Payments Are Cut
Scottish Drug Deaths Rise as Synthetic Opioids Spread
UK Diesel Prices Approach Record High as Energy Costs Intensify
UK Food and Drink Trade Deficit Widens to Record £21 Billion
Britain’s Largest Planned AI Supercomputer Delayed by Power Grid Constraints
NHS Boards Impose Minimum Waits of Up to Two Years for ADHD and Autism Assessments
Police Arrest Far-Right Activist After Migrant Dinghy Slashed in English Channel
Synthetic Opioids Drive Renewed Rise in Scotland’s Drug Deaths
Reported Assaults on Britain’s Railways Rise 20% in a Year
Vistry Cuts Profit Forecast as Losses Weigh on UK Housebuilder
TikTok Drops Appeal and Accepts £12.7 Million UK Data Protection Fine
Russell Group Urges UK Government to Drop Proposed International Student Levy
Legal & General Plans to Cut 1,000 Jobs by Mid-2027
UK Health Bill Would Remove Independent Governors From NHS Foundation Trusts
BMA Raises Patient Safety Concerns Over Advanced Practitioners Filling Doctor Rotas
UK’s Largest AI Supercomputer Delayed by Power Supply Constraints
NHS Orders Security Cameras in Neonatal Units Following Thirlwall Inquiry
Post-Brexit Trade Barriers Cost UK Economy Up to £6.5 Billion a Year, Analysis Says
UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Bank of England Monetary Policy Independence
Global Bond Selloff and Higher Oil Prices Narrow UK Budget Options
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Addresses UN and Holds First Meeting With Donald Trump
Royal Navy Commandos Complete Maritime Operations Training With US Navy SEALs
Vistry Profit Warning Adds to Concerns Over UK Housebuilding Conditions
UK Commits £343 Million to Major Expansion of Community Mental Health Services
Five Eyes Partners Back UK-Led Campaign Against Global Fraud Networks
UK Businesses Gain Full Access to £13 Trillion CPTPP Trading Bloc
UK Allocates Nearly £10 Billion for Council, Social and Affordable Housing
Chancellor John Healey Unveils Deregulation Drive to Accelerate UK Investment and Growth
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Sets Out Post-Brexit Foreign Policy Vision at United Nations
UK Reassesses Chagos Arrangements as Burnham Seeks New Path on Diego Garcia
Key Trends to Watch
Government’s “Buy British” Procurement Push Targets More Domestic Jobs and Industrial Capacity
Scotland Launches Four-Year Flood Resilience Programme With New Community Funding
Low-Income Renters Face Record Gap Between Housing Support and Private Rents
UK and US Test Torpedo Launch From British Undersea Drone in Defence Technology Milestone
Britain Pushes Artificial Intelligence Security Onto United Nations Security Council Agenda
Treasury Committee Defends Office for Budget Responsibility Independence Amid Fiscal Pressure
×