Make Play Areas Greener and Safer

By Ann Bertelsen and Peter O. Whiteley
Updated: March 02, 2016
Here's helpful ideas on how to green up your kid's play area.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Laundry meets playroom

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.
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

It's all in the details

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.

3 of 8

Children's bedroom

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.
Advertisement

4 of 8

A healthy touch

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

5 of 8

Green thumb (and more)

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.

6 of 8

Reused rubber

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

7 of 8

Backyard features

Thomas J. Story
Tumbled dark and light blue recycled glass from Building Resources makes a colorful mulch.
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in Family

All Topics in Family

Advertisement