Having kids doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your dream backyard! Keep your design on point and make your yard fun for the kids with these design tips for making outdoor toys work with your backyard decor!
Start with Toys You Like!
If possible, try to start with outdoor toys that have an aesthetic you can work with. Natural materials like wood are always a classic, and they’re easily customizable with paint jobs and accessories.
Our wooden playsets and playhouses are a favorite with DIY-designer parents for just this reason! Plus, we have plenty of options for modern designs that look sleek and stylish even without customization. And no, you shouldn’t feel guilty for choosing a design you like because we promise your kids will love them just as much!
Use Stylish Storage for Smaller Toys
Smaller outdoor toys – like bubbles, balls, chalk, push mowers, etc. – can clutter up your back porch. But storing them away in a garage or shed probably means they never actually get used. Hidden storage like outdoor storage ottomans are the perfect way to keep clutter at bay and give your kids easy access to their toys. For midsize toys like push mowers and riding toys, try a stylish deck box!
Tie-ins for the Win!
Interior decorators are masters at tying together a room or an entire house to give it a cohesive look. It’s all about those extra little touches that unite a design without being too matchy-matchy. For example, a print that’s on a curtain in one room may appear in a slightly altered version on a throw pillow in another.
You can apply the same principle to your outdoor decor and large outdoor kids’ toys to make your backyard look professionally designed! We know plenty of parents love to add their own touch to KidKraft playsets and playhouses with a custom paint job. If you’re using an accent color on the door or trim, try matching it to a color that’s already featured in your outdoor decor.
If you’re adding curtains to your little one’s playhouse, try to incorporate those colors or prints in your furniture’s upholstery or throw pillows.
Love the potted flowers on your back porch? Add the same flowers to your playhouse’s planter boxes! Don’t be afraid to get creative! The more subtle tie-ins you have between your decor and outdoor toys, the more the toys will look like an intentional part of your backyard design!
Oil-Based Paints
Even the paint on your kids’ toys is something to consider! We only used oil-based, non-toxic paints, and of course, our paints are completely free of lead and other hazardous materials.
Landscape Around Large Toys
If you’re worried about large toys interrupting the flow of your yard’s design, try working with them rather than “hiding” them. Simple touches like planting a few flowers around your child’s playhouse or swing set can make them look much more intentional and cohesive with the rest of your yard. We also love adding a stone path that leads to the toy! Of course, safety is still priority #1, so we aren’t suggesting you put shrubs, breakable pots, or stones too close to a swing set (ouch!).
Need help picking the perfect outdoorsy toys for your yard? Our guides can help!
Check out our Tips for Choosing a Backyard Plasyset, Best Outdoor Toys for Small Yards, and Buying Guide for Kids Outdoor Toys!