How to Dress Up a Basic Playhouse Interior

From the floors and ceiling to the walls and lighting, what was a dingy playhouse is now a bright place all about toys, crafting and reading. Get our tips to create your own cheerful and functional playhouse.

After years of neglect, this playhouse was unappealing to kids and parents alike. On a modest budget with a timeline of two weeks, it was reinvented as a classic, colorful place designed for pint-sized playmates.

Some ready-made playhouses are sold with plastic panel walls while others simply come with bare studs. For a quick and affordable wall upgrade, add 4X8' tongue-and-groove sheets of beadboard. Cut to size with a table saw, then attach each sheet directly to the studs using a nail gun. Then, sand the surface until smooth and add paint. Once installed, maintenance is a breeze, too: It's easy to clean and more durable than drywall.

Indoor-outdoor fabrics are ideal for playspaces designed for active kids. Add privacy and help control harsh sun rays with durable window coverings made from indoor-outdoor fabric. Although intended mostly for upholstery use, this graphic fabric works equally well for custom, kid-proof designer drapes.