Best Playroom Wall Ideas

It is possible to create a playroom that is both stylish and enriching. All it takes is a little attention to detail to take your child’s play space to the next level. Adding wall art can give your playroom a trendy touch without taking away from the kid-friendly elements. In fact, artwork can act as an educational pop of decor. Learn from our expert tips on how to choose the best decor for your playroom. 

The Perfect Playroom

Create the perfect playroom by adding a personal touch. If your child is old enough to have a favorite animal or hobby, choose a piece of wall art that showcases their passions. For toddlers, select a piece of artwork that is visually stimulating and inspiring. A few foolproof ideas are: world maps, underwater seascapes, and storybook scenes.

Playroom Decor: Pro Tips

ElephantStock's interior design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares her tips for kid-friendly decor:

“Kids tend to spend a lot of time on the floor, so consider having a cushy area rug to ensure the floor is a comfy spot for lounging and playing. Also, incorporate low furniture, pouf, ottomans, and floor cushions around make the space feel welcoming for even the smallest family members.”

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Playroom Wall Ideas: Shapes

When selecting your ideal piece of art, it’s important to consider the best shape and layout for your space. Use our guide below to determine the best canvas for your vision:

The Classic Canvas: The Single-Panel Rectangle or Single-Panel Square

The Timeless Shape: The Single-Panel Vertical Canvas or the Single-Panel Panoramic Canvas

The Contemporary Canvas: The Triptych Tri-Panel Canvas or the Symmetrical Five-Panel Canvas

The Trendy Layout: The Split Two-Piece Canvas or the Four-Panel “Wave” Canvas

The Striking Print: The 7-Piece Hexagonal Canvas Set

Playroom Decor: Pro Tips

Another stipulation to take into consideration is whether to order a framed print or a lone canvas. Frames can help protect your artwork from messy hands and other environmental aggressors. View more pros and cons below:

“Unframed canvas is artwork that is not set into any frame. Because of frameless borders, these artworks can adapt to any style. Unframed canvas prints are loved for their sleek and modern look. The minimalist look blends well with contemporary furniture and virtually all interior styles.

Framed artwork looks complete and polished. Because of the small gap between the canvas and the frame, the canvas print seems to be floating inside the frame, giving your artwork a truly unique look. One of the best benefits of framed artwork is that it looks very light and unbulky, which results in a clean appearance.”

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Playroom Wall Art: Sizes

Choosing the right size canvas is imperative if you want your space to look professional. Just because it’s a playroom, doesn’t mean it can’t be decorated like an expert. View an excerpt from our ultimate size guide to get you started:

Your wall art should take about 60% to 75% of the available empty wall space, the portion not covered by moldings or furniture. Measure the height and width of the wall. Now, multiply the measurements by both 0.6 and 0.75. As a result, you will get the range of canvas print sizes to suit the space.

For instance, if your blank wall is 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide, multiply 9 by 0.6 to get the low end of the ideal height range. Then multiply 9 by 0.75 to get the high end of the ideal height range. Do the same for your wall's 5 feet width. The ideal height of the canvas would be 5.4 feet - 6.75 feet and the ideal width would be 3 feet - 3.75 feet.

Playroom Decor: Pro Tips

Speaking of size, your wall art isn’t the only size consideration for your space. Design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares her advice for maximizing space in your playroom:

“Kids can play in the tiniest of spaces, but if you have the room, leave an open area where they can spread out with toys, play a board game, or work on their latest art creation. If your living room is on the petite side, incorporate an ottoman or coffee table that can easily slide out of the way to create an activity-ready space.”

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Trendy Wall Art Ideas & Styles

Consider a print painted by an artist, rather than a formulaic digital print. Our artist collection is full of illustrations by a diverse array of painters. These pieces were carefully crafted to adorn your child’s happy space. For an extra-trendy touch, browse our indie art collection for a fun, contemporary look.

Playroom Decor: Pro Tips

Decor pro Elimar Lobo Sáenz expands on how to decorate your playroom:

“When it comes to decorating with kids and pets, you don’t have to sacrifice style, but it’s important to consider how you’ll feel if something gets dinged, torn or ruined. Remember that it will be a space for living and playing, so make it stylish with pieces that can bear dirty feet and or layers of fur and can be easily replaced.”

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Colorful Decor for White Walls

White walls may seem counterintuitive when you’re trying to keep your space free from obvious messes, but they are much easier to color-match if you need to do touchups. Plus, white walls will give you more freedom when it comes to creating a color palette. You can add playful hues and vibrant decor without overwhelming your space.

Playroom Decor: Pro Tips

Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares a final tip on selecting colors for your play space:

“Starting with a neutral color scheme will allow you to customize your space as you (and your family’s) tastes and interests change. You can incorporate the color of the moment, and swap out your accent shade as trends change. Make sure to select an eggshell, satin, or gloss finish for the walls, as they are much easier to wipe down and keep clean. “

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Bright, Retro Playroom Wall Ideas

Looking to add some playful and vibrant energy to your child’s playroom? Consider hanging a bright, retro-inspired print on the wall! This style of artwork can be a fun and eye-catching addition to any space, especially one that’s designed to promote creativity. Bold colors, funky shapes, and retro themes are great options for a kid-friendly interior. One of our favorite prints is this Palm Springs-style print! You can even add some tropical details for a warm, inviting room. Not only will adding a bright and colorful print create a stunning centerpiece, but it can also spark your child’s curiosity and inspire their imagination. It can also serve as a conversation starter for playdates or a backdrop for fun family photos. Why not add a little retro flair to your child’s playroom? Watch them explore and play in a space that is as vibrant and fun as they are!

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Explore More Home Design Topics

For more home decor topics and expert guides, visit our inspiration blog. We have an endless source of professional advice on how to decorate your interior. From playroom wall art to bedroom decor ideas, it’s time to curate your dream home.