Step right up to a wall of playfulness! After we moved Clara’s crib out of her room and shifted the dresser to the old crib wall, the area to the right of the bed was left completely bare. That empty white expanse begged for some personality, so we decided to turn it into a lively play wall. Clara already had baskets of toys and a play table for building castles and drawing, but larger items like her play kitchen, refrigerator, and food cart had been pushed into other rooms for lack of space. With the crib gone, there was finally room to bring them back.
At first the wall didn’t look very exciting—just a lot of blank white. As with most projects, the early stages were a little chaotic. I pulled out colorful artwork from her nursery and previous playroom and laid pieces on the bed to arrange them. Clara helped pick her favorites, and within minutes we had a gorgeous layout that felt playful and intentional.
One of Clara’s top requests was to have a mirror at her height so she could practice faces, style her dolls’ hair, and avoid trekking into our room to use the big leaning mirror. We were happy to oblige. The mirror we chose had been removed from our half bathroom earlier in the year. Its brassy finish didn’t quite match the silver hardware on her play kitchen and fridge, so I decided to freshen it up with paint and a simple pattern.
To prepare the mirror I laid it on a piece of cardboard and wiped it down with a liquid deglosser so the paint would adhere. I used leftover white trim paint in a semi-gloss to give the frame a clean base coat. A steady, even coat is key, including the small crack where the mirror meets the frame. After letting it dry, I applied a second coat for full coverage. A little paint got on the mirror surface during the process, but that’s easily removed: carefully scrape off stray paint with a straight razor or an X-Acto knife, sliding gently along the glass so you don’t scratch it.
For a playful accent, I mixed in a metallic silver acrylic and painted a simple pattern around the frame using a small flat craft brush. I created small arrow-like shapes spaced by eye; the result had an irregular, handmade charm I decided to keep rather than perfect. Once dry, I rehung the mirror and Clara was thrilled. It added visual interest, bounced more light around the room, and gave her a dedicated spot to admire her newest hairstyles and expressions.
We mounted lightweight frames and artwork with picture nails into the drywall, while the shelves—built originally for her nursery—got longer screws and anchors to support toys and kitchen accessories. The mirror received a proper anchor and screw because it’s heavier, plus two heavy-duty Velcro strips at the bottom for extra security so it can’t accidentally hop off the wall.
Now the little wall functions as a compact activity hub: shelves for books, toys, and play food; a play kitchen and fridge nearby for imaginative cooking; and a mirror for dress-up and play. It’s amazing how much life a single wall can add to a room. The display also complements her painted pink door and raindrop wall, making the whole space feel cohesive and fun.
Clara can easily reach the top shelf and see herself in the mirror, with a bit of headroom left to grow. The room already feels more finished, though I expect it will evolve as she grows. I still have plans for her walk-in closet—she chose the room specifically because of that closet—so there are more playful changes coming, including creating a secret playhouse space inside the closet.
As a bonus, this refresh freed up space for toys that had been stored elsewhere and made the room more inviting for daily play. We’ve also been working on Clara’s handmade Christmas gift—a tradition for us—and with a week to go we’re down to the wire. Have you been tackling last-minute projects, hanging artwork you’ve been putting off, or carving out small pockets of fun in a child’s room? Little changes like this can make a big difference in how a space feels and functions.
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