Playful Design Is Trending: Here’s How to Get the Look

This interior design trend is all fun and games. Primary play — the latest way to add a hit of dopamine to your home decor — is all about turning your space into your canvas and getting creative with a rainbow of bold colors, hand-painted patterns and inner child-approved ideas.

Read on for more details about this exuberant design style, and hear from mural painters and designers about how to embrace the look in your home.

"Many of my clients are rediscovering who they are and have a strong desire to express themselves more authentically in all areas of life," says muralist and graphic designer Jess Staude. "They want their spaces to match who they are becoming and how they want to feel within their homes." Adding custom, hand-painted details, a pillar in the primary play aesthetic, instantly personalizes your space.

Homeowners Amber and Barry Zito, along with their four boys, wanted their Nashville new-build to reflect their family's lively spirit. Amber sketched a version of this art above the fireplace, incorporating colors that represent each family member’s birthstone, and hired artist Tess Davies to bring the playful — and deeply personal — piece to life.

This 1920s player piano was a Facebook find, and designer Sarah Storms had it painted in a red lacquer for her color-loving clients. A blue ceiling and hits of yellow in the wallpaper and throw pillow round out the primary scheme. Adding black accents keeps this space feeling fresh and edgy — not juvenile.

If primary colors don't suit your style, you can still embrace this look in your home. "I am personally not big on using primary colors," says artist and interior designer Audrey Smit. "I tend to use more desaturated color palettes, but I will sometimes use primary colors as accent elements."

"It can be a little uncomfortable to lean into something bold and playful if it isn't what you've typically done before," says Jess. "My advice is to always let the things that bring you joy guide you." If that means painting a door frame pink and orange instead of red, blue or yellow, go for it!

The walls, floor and tub in this showstopping bathroom are all custom painted. "The floor tile was painted over with a high-contrast black and white design that accents the fixtures in the space, allowing the bathtub and mural to have their own 'wow' moment," says Jess.

"Hand-painted accents allow me, as a designer, to play with the unique architectural features of a home," Audrey explains. That's exactly what color consultant Genie Norris and her husband, Randy, did with this custom-built piano nook under their staircaise. “We extended the paint out in a circular design to call folks in to come play,” says Genie.

If you love the personalized, hand-painted look but don't want to DIY, that's okay. Take a cue from designer Shauna Glenn's home. That bold, striped wall isn't paint — it's wallpaper. The squiggle art is a Frame TV.

Paint might be one of the most budget-friendly ways to embrace the primary play aesthetic, but the fun doesn't stop there. "Play with patterned textiles or wallpaper, or add shapes, textures and art," Audrey suggests. "You can also be playful by infusing a little silliness into everyday objects that might be unexpected." In this white kitchen, two-tone pendant lights, a wallpapered island and an array of modern, colorful accessories add joy to every corner.

"This plant wall houses all of my quirky plants and plant holders I’ve collected over the years," says Jess, so she decided to follow suit with some fun, painted details. "The little painted accents wiggle through the shelves, like a plant does, to tie everything together. It’s an area of the house where my son and I get creative, so I wanted to have colorful painted accents and decor that matched what we do in the space."

Any spot is fair game with this inner-child inspired style. Genie used her stair risers to bring all the colors in her home together. Instead of paint, she opted for a pattern from Faye Jennifer Vinyl Design, which sells floor-grade vinyl designed by artists. She painted the banister red to complete the look.

"People are craving human connection and community, with a strong desire to support local artists and feel connected through the humanness of a hand-painted mural," says Jess. "There's nothing quite as unique as an original design — with slight imperfections and textures — created by the human behind the paintbrush."

Supporting local artists is a priority for Minneapolis homeowners Alex West Steinman and Matt Steinman. They hired artist Molly Reopelle to give this staircase a creative new look. "We had this mural painted as soon as we moved in," says Alex. "It instantly made the house feel like ours."

"Clients are desiring murals that aren't contained — meaning a painted design can wrap up to the ceiling, around the corner or even over top of the trim and floor," says Jess. "Fewer limits allow for a more unique, playful design."

Instead of painting a whole room, consider just highlighting the trim with bold colors. It's less time-consuming than painting an entire wall or creating a mural, and the results can be just as vibrant. In this hallway, every door frame is painted a different color for maximum impact.

"For anyone who wants to try adding hand-painted accents to their home right now, I'd recommend starting with something small, like a lamp base or side table, and work your way up to adding a few painted shapes behind a wall mirror or accent wall," Jess suggests. "Very little paint and time can instantly elevate a room."

In this colorful dining room, a singular painted stripe on the table makes this colorful space feel even more fun, unique and customized.