Where space allows, having a dedicated playroom can be the perfect solution. Ideally this should be near the main living zone, so a beady parental eye can monitor the comings and goings. Many parents now make provision for playspaces, converting garages, dining rooms, second living rooms, conservatories and offices into play spaces. Involving children in the design of their playspace is important . . . children as young as three and four years of age generally have definite ideas about what they like and don't like.

Colouring in For boys and girls with a passion for the GAA, Crown's county colours range should kick off the process of decorating playspace walls.

Whether they are used to cover all walls or just as an accent depends on the size of the room . . . and the child's level of fanaticism. However, bear in mind, dark colours will make the room appear smaller.

Otherwise, hot hues such as reds, oranges and yellows are perfect, says interior designer Wendy Doyle. "A lot of people make the mistake of going for cold blues and whites, " she says. Keep the vibrant look going by investing in storage boxes . . . Heaton's is a good for a bargain . . . in the same colours. Having one wall in blackboard paint works well with younger kids while murals and stickers can establish a theme.

Neutral walls allow the toys do the talking and can be enlived by painted wooden flooring featuring your child's designs. Marmoleum from Forbo Ireland is another practical option. It's a natural product made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, jute and limestone.

Storage time Safety, storage and comfort are key considerations for successful playroom design.

Toy boxes should have slow release closure to avoid jamming little fingers.

Regularly used toys, games and books need to be easily accessible on adjustable shelving and regular decluttering should take place to give the room some sense of order. A run of flush floor-toceiling cupboards containing some deep shelves, backed up by lots of individual containers, should keep most things under control. Check out the savvy storage holders from Argos, which contain four pullout boxes with chalkboard fronts. Bench storage is also worthwhile.

Tables and chairs should be safe and easy for the child to use and plenty of flat surfaces will cater for arts and crafts and boardgames. Coat hooks and pictures should be at a low level so children can use them.

In the zone Orla Kennedy, director of Imaginosity, the new children's museum at Beacon South Quarter, advises designing the space depending on how your children play.

As well as reflecting their current needs and taking account of future requirements, she recommends making the playroom multisensory.

This can involve the installation of a good sound system; making the room visually interesting with graphic artwork and cheap paper lanterns as well as creating contrast; and using a mix of tactile textures.

Where space allows, it's a good idea to create different zones covering homework/ study, entertainment and relaxation areas, so different ages and activities can be accommodated. Joanne O'Grady of Clever Clogs sources children's furnishings and accessories internationally for Irish retailers, many of which can be used to make playrooms more versatile.

Fun furniture The functional and fun Danish Junior Living compact furniture collection is designed to improve air flow and eliminate nooks and crannies that collect dust, creating an allergy- and asthma-friendly environment.

All items are on castors to facilitate alternative layouts.

The range includes storage boxes that double as seats or play tables, priced at 250, and a space-saving foldaway desk at 350. Clever Clogs also stock the fantastic Habba collection, which includes 'Flying Carpet' or 'Bed of Roses' rugs, eye-catching nightlights and bright beanbags.

Ligne Roset's Mini-Glup footstool, available at Haus and priced from 394, will have kids sitting . . . or lounging . . . in style. Devised by young designer Sophie Larger, its lightness, choice of vibrant colours and soft, rubbery feel make it a hit with designconscious children.

Also new from Ligne Roset are the 'Baby Togo', aimed at two- to four-year-olds, and the 'Mini Togo' for five- to 12-yearolds. Togo's popularity since its launch in 1973, together with its all-foam characteristics, were the deciding factors in the company's decision to offer the cult model in reduced dimensions.

If you can't tear your offspring away from their computer games, it may be time to concede defeat and indulge them with 'Tip Up', again from Ligne Roset. This 'relax chair' on which the user sits astride, allows balance to be retained thanks to the 'tripod' formed by the chair's base and the user's feet.

Accessories can really add to playspaces, such as Habitat's camouflage cushions from just 21. Retro lamps can also enhance playspaces. Try Wildchild Originals.

Tatty old pieces of furniture can be made over with wallpaper coverings, bringing personality to plainer rooms, Doyle suggests. The result, she says, can often look better than new pieces.

USEFUL CONTACTS
>> Clever Clogs 2 Kinsealy Business Park, Co Dublin, 01-828 4823; www. cleverclogs. ie
>>Crown Paints County Colours www. countycolours. ie
>> Harlequin www. harlequin. uk. com (wallpaper from Harlequin's 'Get Groovy' collection)
>> Imaginosity The Plaza, Beacon South Quarter, Dublin 18, 01-482 3360. Open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm; Friday 10am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
>>Ligne Roset @ Haus 3-4 Crow Street, Dublin 2, 01-679 5155 and Exchange Street Upper, Temple Bar West, Dublin 8, 01670 6677; www. ligneroset. co. uk
>> Wild Child Originals South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, 01-475 5099; www. wildchildoriginals. com

ROOM TO PLAY

Interior designer Pilar Landaluce, a founding member of the Interiors Association, shares his top tips for perfect playspaces:

>> Design with the age group that will be using the playroom in mind.
>> Pick furniture that is accessible and adaptable.
>> Very bright colours or a mix of strong hues should be avoided, especially in small rooms. By the time toys are added to the equation, the effect can be overwhelming.
>> Work with any architectural features in the room. For example, if there's a big bay window, window seating could incorporate open shelving. In a little nook, you could create a puppet theatre.
>> Playrooms should foster creativity so include an area for play dough, jewellery making and other arts and crafts activities. There should be space to sit down and a table or flat surface.
>> Cubes of foam from upholstery shops in different shapes and heights can be used as pieces of furniture in various configurations or can simply be used in games.

Contact pililuce@gmail. com.