Create your own circus-themed playroom

A whimsical mix of colours and patterns take center stage in this fun, circus-themed playroom.

ART DIRECTION + STYLING Vanessa Nouwens
PHOTOGRAPHY Wendy Fenwick flash studios

The kids are bound to have fun in this dedicated space with areas to play, relax, watch TV, store toys, play and draw. While the colour palette is a little unexpected, it’s the mix of patterns that really make this space work, and it has all the elements to make it a functioning playroom for your little ones.

We took inspiration from the circus themed throw blanket as the starting point, and colours and patterns were pulled out and layered throughout to make a cohesive space.

A circus room is not complete without a striped wall – ours is painted in Resene Arthouse and Resene Double Blanc with 30 cm wide stripes. Be sure to use painters masking tape for a great finish!

We have a fun diamond design on the floor in Resene Edward and Resene Double Blanc. Each diamond is roughly 30cm X 30cm which is a great size. If you make the diamonds smaller it will make the floor very busy and overpowering so keep this in mind. We measured and taped our floor first before painting. You will need at least two coats of paint for a good finish. A coat of Resene Aquaclear (which is like a varnish) will ensure your floor pattern stays fresh and easy to clean.

The toy box is a great storage option for storing games, dress ups and soft toys, and was given some love in the form of a diamond design down the side of the box. A segment design was painted onto the kid’s table in Resene Arthouse and Quarter Blanc. This little table is the perfect spot to colour, do puzzles and craft activities. While normally you would only incorporate one feature pattern and one smaller pattern in a space, I think you can be playful and break the rules in a kid’s playroom.

When it comes to decorating the space, a cute pop-up tent is an essential circus item! We have also included some painted plastic animals, a DIY bunting, some cute storage boxes, and striped corkboards to display artwork in our colour palette. Don’t forget to include some soft furnishings in the form of blankets and cushions in coordinating colours and patterns. 

Be brave with colour and have some fun, we are positive your little ones will never want to leave this space.

PINBOARDS

We took some small pinboards from Kmart (ours are 43 x 43 cm) and gave them a striped paint design (roughly 14 cm wide) using Resene painter's tape and Resene paint colours Resene Undercover and Resene Edward. These are great for displaying kids’ artwork, certificates, ribbons and more.

BUNTING

Every circus room needs a bunting! We took a plain calico bunting in cream from Spotlight and painted alternate flags in Resene Bullwhip and stripes in Resene Arthouse and Undercover. Great to hang in a corner or the room for a bit of fun.

Bunting in Resene Bullwhip and stripes in Resene Arthouse and Resene Undercover. Wall in Resene Double Blanc. Side striped wall in Resene Double Blanc and Resene Arthouse. Diamond floor in Resene Edward and Resene Double Blanc. Toy box in Resene Bullwhip. Kid’s stools in Resene Undercover. Kid’s table with segment design in Resene Arthouse and Resene Quarter Blanc. Pencil pot in Resene Bullwhip. Plastic animals in Resene Bullwhip, Resene Arthouse and Resene Undercover. Puzzles in Resene Arthouse, Resene Undercover, Resene Edward and Resene Bullwhip, and Resene Quarter Blanc. Striped box (in black cabinet) in Resene Edward and Resene Quarter Blanc. Square storage boxes with holes (in black cabinet) in Resene Double Blanc, Resene Arthouse and Resene Bullwhip. Round storage boxes with bead lids in Resene Bullwhip and Resene Undercover and Resene Arthouse and Resene Edward. Peg and hammer toy in Resene Edward and Pegs in Resene Undercover. Wooden Rainbow stacking toy in Resene Arthouse, Resene Undercover, Resene Bullwhip, Resene Edward and Resene Quarter Blanc. Teapot and cups toy in Resene Spanish White. Living and Co black and white check throw, $29, warehouse.co.nz; Nimi & Lulu clown set hat, $67.50, OYOY Circus pop up tent in clay, $129.95, Meri Meri Angus Lion toy, $51.75, littlewhimsy.co.nz; Round ball boucle cushion $29.99, from H&M Home.

Round tables in Resene Undercover with Resene Bullwhip top and Resene Arthouse with Resene Edward Top. Mushie toy nesting stars (only 2 shown) $34.50, Bloomingville Prana circus throw blanket, $44.50, How to be a Lion book, $17.99, littlewhimsy.co.nz; Capri 2 seater sofa in Oatmeal, $2,624, danskemobler.co.nz; Red Velvet cushion cover ,$19.99, Striped black and cream cushion cover, $9.99, Mustard cushion cover, $24.99, from H&M Home. All other props stylist's own.

Kid’s stools in Resene Undercover. Kid’s table with segment design in Resene Arthouse and Resene Quarter Blanc. Pencil pot in Resene Bullwhip. Plastic animals in Resene Bullwhip, Resene Arthouse and Resene Undercover. All props stylist's own.

Diamond floor in Resene Edward and Resene Double Blanc. Round storage boxes with bead lids in Resene Bullwhip and Resene Undercover.  

Toy box in Resene Bullwhip with Resene Undercover diamond design. Puzzles in Resene Arthouse, Resene Undercover, Resene Edward and Resene Bullwhip, and Resene Quarter Blanc. Other credits previously listed. Skipping rope stylist's own.

Striped box in Resene Edward and Resene Quarter Blanc. Square storage boxes with holes in Resene Double Blanc, Resene Arthouse and Resene Bullwhip. Round storage boxes with bead lids in Resene Bullwhip and Resene Undercover and Resene Arthouse and Resene Edward. Peg and hammer toy in Resene Edward and Resene Undercover. Wooden Rainbow stacking toy in Resene Arthouse, Resene Undercover, Resene Bullwhip, Resene Edward and Resene Quarter Blanc. Teapot and cups in Resene Spanish White. Black Akari Buffet, $449, black Fredrick wooden side table, $159.99, mocka.co.nz; Puddle rug, $109, Kmart.co.nz; Bloomingville Elephant decoration, $59, Muskhane star with gold and natural pom pom $29, Mom and Baby wooden elephants, $68, Muskhane felt crown in gold, $29 littlewhimsy.co.nz.