Make Play Areas Greener and Safer

By Ann Bertelsen and Peter O. Whiteley
October 27, 2009
Credit: Thomas J. Story
Here's helpful ideas on how to green up your kid's play area.
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Laundry meets playroom

Credit: Thomas J. Story

From Sunset

From the playroom to the bedroom (and even the backyard), there are easy ways to make your home kid-friendly and environmentally safe.

This joint laundry/playroom is a great combined space for parents and kids. Bright blues and greens enliven the room. The pale green nontoxic laminate veneer is by

Abet Laminati.

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It's all in the details

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Cabinets conceal a water- and energy-frugal front-loading washer and dryer from GE. The floor is engineered bamboo. Cobalt blue recycled-glass knobs match the lava-stone tile counter.

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Children's bedroom

Credit: Thomas J. Story

For recyclable wall decor in the older child’s room, we used Wallcandy Arts “Dottlicious” stickers of various sizes from giggle.com.

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A healthy touch

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Add personality with personalized wainscot. The blue and green stripes are painted with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint.

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Green thumb (and more)

Credit: Thomas J. Story

A small outdoor space means every inch must count, so we made sure there was a variety of activity zones, including raised planting beds, a sandbox, and a compact flagstone patio.

Circular stepping "stones" and a semicircular mini deck made of

rot-resistant Trex, a composite wood, punch up the design of a small outdoor space.

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Reused rubber

Credit: Thomas J. Story

The play yard walking surface is a mulch made of shredded brown-toned recycled tires by Grubble Products.

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Backyard features

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Tumbled dark and light blue recycled glass from Building Resources makes a colorful mulch.

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By Ann Bertelsen and Peter O. Whiteley