The day has finally come! You’ve finished your new outer space playroom for kids and the result is out of this world! (I couldn’t help myself there. I had to jump in immediately to get things started!)
I started this project in February and thought I’d reveal it long before June. However, life got in the way, and this secret room was always placed at the bottom of my to-do list.
So far! The space is complete, I’ve revealed it to the kids (ugh!), and now it’s time to reveal it to all of you!
Where we started
Before we get to the good stuff, I should show you where it all started. This is a small closet under the stairs in our basement. It had previously been stuffed to the brim with extra blankets and an air mattress for guests. We were squeezing all this stuff into this closet space and it was impossible to keep organized. No matter what I did, it always seemed like a big mess.
I thought it would make a better play space than an actual closet, so I came up with an idea to create a space-themed playroom for my solar system-loving kids.
The concept evolved as the project progressed. In the end, I decided to make it look like the inside of a spaceship so the kids could get creative during their adventures while playing. I thought there would be enough space for them to have some fun together in this little closet.
Add a starry backdrop to the play area
I started by wallpapering all the walls in this small space, and it made a big impact. I used wallpaper paste (my favorite kind) and it took about half a day of work to get it on. I had glue in my hair along the way, as well as back pain, but it was worth the effort.
Painting panels
With the wallpaper lifted, the bright white panels stuck out like a sore thumb. I decided to paint it in Benjamin Moore’s “Galaxy” color. Yes, I was impressed by the name, but it also worked magically with the dark stars in the wallpaper. I even learned a few tips along the way for painting baseboards when you have carpet!
Add the most wonderful moonlight
Next, I hung a moonlight in the closet for some extra light. This closet had no lights and no electricity, so it was a bit of a challenge. I ended up drilling through the wall to get to power in the utility room on the other side of the closet wall. It all worked out and this moon is amazing. I think it’s a must have for space themed playrooms.
This is where I left you, and this is what I did to finish the space.
Create NASA lab coats
My next project was to create NASA lab coats for kids to wear while working on the space shuttle. I found these white lab coats on Amazon, as well as these outer space patches. I’ve ironed on the patches to decorate the lab coats and they look very formal!
To get them in the mood for playtime, I found these headphones to wear with lab coats. I hung the whole thing on the wall next to the moon using these astronaut hooks. They stick directly to the wall and are a great idea for a playroom.
Build a mission control board
Once I decided on the idea for a mission control board, I started collecting random items from friends and neighbors. I got an old keyboard, a calculator, and some old phones to hang on the wall. Then I found this lighting keyboard and realized it would be perfect for the board.
When I got each item, I had to figure out how to build the actual board for them. I wanted it to be at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 degrees, like a desk. But how can I build that without spending a lot of time and money on it?
I ended up finding these 45 degree angle brackets from a seller on Etsy and they were perfect. They took about a month to ship (hence the slowdown of this project) and once they arrived I took them to Home Depot to get a board to fit. I painted this wood piece with metallic silver paint so it looks more like a spaceship.
To attach all the elements to the board, I used industrial strength Velcro. It’s great and keeps everything safe, even in that corner.
Space playroom decor and more lighting
With all of these pieces in place, I was almost at the finish line. I realized I needed more light in this space, especially to illuminate the mission control panel for the kids. I found this inexpensive gold picture frame light and love it! I mounted the device on the wall and just removed the light to charge it! It comes with a remote and I can change the color temperature and dimming of the light as well.
I would add this picture light to any room in my house! They are high quality and would look great on a gallery wall to elevate the entire look.
To make it look like a spaceship from the inside, I decided to add some stickers to the walls. I purchased this package and put a wall decal above the mission control board and one on the far wall. Man, I’m not a fan of peel and stick items and it was difficult to get these completely smooth. I much prefer paste when it comes to wallpaper! In the end, I persevered and got them there.
New space themed playroom for kids
Here’s a full before-and-after look at the entire room makeover. It’s one of the coolest projects I’ve ever worked on! If you also have a space-loving child, I hope you now have some ideas for a space-themed bedroom or kids room.
Children’s reaction
For the past few months, I’ve kept the door to this closet closed and they haven’t peeked inside. My final step was to remove the door and hang the curtain rod, along with this star curtain, so they could get in and out of the room easily.
On Saturday morning, I told the kids that I had a big surprise for them after breakfast. They had no idea what was coming! We brought them downstairs and Rory went bananas.
She immediately put on a lab coat and started talking about repairing the satellite outside the space station. Ellis was mostly interested in playing on phones.
They’ve seen me do a lot of DIY projects around the house and I think it was a big deal for them to have an entire space that I created just for them. Rory talked about it all weekend, and it made me feel good to know that my hard work had paid off.
Suffice it to say they love their new creative play space. The weather has been nice, but if we’re indoors, they’re out here playing together. I adore it!
I filmed their reaction and will share it on Instagram if you want to check it out.
Outer Space Game Room – Resources
Wallpaper // Paint Color, Benjamin Moore “Galaxy” // Moonlight // Astronaut Hooks // Lab Coats // Lab Coat Patches // Headphones // Misson Control Panel Shelf Brackets // Lighted Keyboard // Phones / / Calculator // Wall Stickers // Photo Frame Light // Tension Curtain Rod // Starry Nights Shower Curtain
Checking out for the summer
I will be taking a break for the next few months from my traditional work hours. About a year ago, after ten years of working at a crazy pace, I was suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and extreme fatigue. I decided to stop working during the summer months and it was the best thing for me and my business. I’m doing the same thing this year! Not because my body is forcing me to, but because I know this is what’s best for me, my business, and my family in the long run.
When I returned last fall, I did so with a renewed energy to work smarter, not harder. I delved into my analysis and reframed my priorities to focus on the tasks that drive my brand. I’m working less now, while growing my bottom line. It’s been a welcome transition and I’ve had a great year so far.
Since a big part of my job is sharing my personal life and being on my phone constantly, I look forward to spending time, just for me, without feeling obligated to share it for the world to see. Although I love connecting with this community, it can be exhausting to constantly respond to messages and questions all day long. A mostly separate summer would be good for my soul!
I’ll probably log a few hours of work each week to keep up with the back end of running the business, but I’ll step back from publishing my blog posts and larger projects twice a week. So to thwart the inevitable “Are you okay? Where are you?” Messages that are bound to come my way, I wanted to share them so you are in the know! I’ll probably be on Instagram, just to share everyday life every now and then.
I am so grateful to each and every one of you. I hope you have a wonderful summer ahead!
