Children's items can easily start to take over much of the space in your home. Sippy cups and themed tableware take up residence in the kitchen cabinets, a collection of bath toys perches on the edge of the tub, and the dining room table might be perpetually strewn with schoolwork.

Playtime often extends beyond a child's room, depositing toys from one end of the home to another. Establishing a dedicated playroom can help contain the mess and give your child a fun place to exercise their imagination.

You might have ample space for a play area in an extra room, but you can also carve out unused space in the home for this purpose. Tonya Lee, writing for the home design site The Spruce, says nooks and recessed areas are the perfect size for small children to have their own getaway. The space under a staircase is often a good area to hold some toys, storage features, and other playroom features.

If you're pressed for space, you can set aside part of a room as a child's space. Michelle Gage, writing for the home design site Houzz, says a corner can be outfitted with a tent, small table, or other items for the kids. Some rooms can have dual functions; the cabinets and shelves of a living room can hold children's items, and the room can still serve as a place for adults to relax after a child's bedtime.

Any area you use as a playroom should be safe for kids. Lee says furniture should ideally be attached to the walls or otherwise secured to prevent tipping. Erica Lynn-Huberty, writing for This Old House, says you should check to make sure any materials are nontoxic and that paint won't flake off the furniture or walls.

Painting the playroom with a vibrant color scheme can make it more inviting. Simona Ganea, writing for the interior design and architecture site Homedit, says wall decals are useful for creating a theme or making the room more interesting. Chalkboard paint offers a way for children to draw on the walls without getting in trouble, and this artwork can be erased and redone as often as they want.

Decide what features the room should have. Gage says it is helpful to divide the room into areas for specific activities, such as a bean bag or plush seat for reading, a table for arts and crafts, and open floor space for games, puzzles, and more.

Storage is an essential part of the playroom, since it will help keep the space organized. Cubbies, lockers, and smaller containers for items such as markers and crayons will keep the place from getting too messy.

A table can serve multiple purposes in a playroom, allowing children to do everything from work on a coloring book to putting together a model. Lynn-Huberty says you can either purchase a table and chairs specifically designed for children or simply saw off the lower part of the legs of older full-sized table and chairs to bring them to the right height.

The playroom doesn't have to just for kids. Lee says a sofa can be a comfortable place for adults who feel like spending some time with their kids while they play.

There are plenty of options for impressive playrooms, from an interior treehouse to enormous murals based on classic children's books or films. However, you should keep in mind that these features are unlikely to be permanent. Your child will eventually stop using the playroom, and an ostentatious feature designed for children might turn off some buyers if you're planning to sell your home.