Do-It-Yourself Banquette Playroom

Banquette Style

• Banquettes come in two primary styles, The raising-bench types are accessible only from the top and aren't suitable for use as a playroom, since a child might become trapped inside. Banquettes with front cabinet doors are preferable, because the doors provide an easy egress for the child inside. Remove one door from the banquette, and hang a curtain. This supplies the playhouse with both a window and a guaranteed exit. Remove the door latch from the remaining door so the door opens freely from both inside and outside the banquette. If the banquette has sharp edges, cover these with bumper pads to prevent injury.

Interior Preparation

• The interior of some banquettes features shelving, which is great for storage but not for a playroom. Remove the shelves and shelf hardware before allowing the child inside. Fill in any screw or nail holes with wood putty. Make the space seem larger and brighter by painting the interior a light color. Sanding the walls with 100-grit sandpaper helps the paint adhere better. You can also paint designs on the interior walls to match the child's taste, or decorate the walls with wallpaper borders or wall stickers.

Decorating Ideas

• Creative decorating inside the banquette makes the play space more useful. Install narrow shelves with rounded corners high on the interior walls to provide some storage space without compromising too much floor space. Use thin cushions or foam rubber padding on the floor to provide a soft but firm surface. A round pillow works well for a chair. Decide on a theme for the playroom, such as a house, store or fort, and use the theme to determine the decorating needs.

Lighting

• Even with a window, the space inside the banquette is dim, but running an electric light into the banquette is both difficult and a safety concern. Instead, install battery-operated puck lights or tap lights on the ceiling. These lights take up minimal space and are safe to use in a small space. Another option is to cut small windows into the walls of the banquette, using a jigsaw. You can add curtains and exterior flower boxes to these windows to further dress up the play space.