Morning Room Makeover 2.0: From Entertaining Space to Family-Friendly Playroom
Welcome to Our New Playroom
When we moved into our home in 2021, the “morning room,” as the previous owners called it, immediately became one of my favorite spaces. With its big windows and all that natural light, I knew it had so much potential. By July 2022, we had turned it into a beautiful, entertaining space that quickly became our happy hour spot and casual hangout with friends. You can see the full first reveal here.
But then life changed in the best way possible. We welcomed Conrad in June 2023, and suddenly, this room needed to do more than just look pretty. The bar cart and cozy seating were great for late-night chats, but what we really needed was a space where our toddler could play, imagine, and make a mess… while we could still sit back with a cup of coffee.
So, we teamed up with Pottery Barn Kids to completely reimagine the space. Think cubbies full of toys and books, a mini kitchen set for endless pretend play, and a small round table perfect for snack time and art projects (or, let’s be honest, climbing). This is Morning Room Makeover 2.0, a space that now works beautifully for every member of the family. Let’s take a quick peek at the “before” you can see the empty room when we moved in here!
Before
When we first designed this space back in 2022, we worked closely with Michael P. Design of MichaelPDesign.com to turn this small, narrow room into something functional and beautiful. The layout was tricky, but Michael helped us find a solution that made sense for an elevated, multi-purpose entertaining space. We chose Benjamin Moore Classic Grey for the walls, a perfect neutral that shifts with the light throughout the day, and Sherwin-Williams’ Pure White for the trim and woodwork to keep everything feeling crisp. We even had the woodwork, walls, and floors refinished before we moved in, giving the space a true blank slate.
That first version of the room served us so well for happy hours and casual nights with friends… until life shifted. Once Conrad arrived, we quickly realized the space needed to work harder for us as a family, which led us to this next chapter: Morning Room Makeover 2.0.
Morning Room 2.0
For this reimagined version of the morning room, we wanted a space that worked just as hard as we do, equal parts functional playroom and inviting family hangout. Here’s what made the biggest impact:
Cameron Cabinet & Cubby Drawer Wall Storage System – This was our secret weapon for maximum storage. It gives us space for toys, books, and all the little odds and ends that come with toddler life, while still looking polished. We also have the same system in a different configuration in Conrad’s nursery here!
Cameron 4-Shelf Bookcase (30”) + Cameron Woven Utility Bins – These bins are a game-changer! They hide the clutter when everything is put away, but it's easy for Conrad to pull them out when he’s ready to play.
Faceted Tile Performance Rug – This was the finishing touch that connected the room with the rest of the house. The subtle pattern and mix of neutrals + greens feel elevated but still practical for a family space (and bonus: it hides spills really well!).
Finley Play Table – This is hands-down Conrad’s favorite spot in the house. Whether he’s coloring, snacking, or climbing (let’s be honest), it’s the perfect size for him, and we love the contrast of the white table with the natural wood chair for a cool, modern look.
Each of these pieces helped us create a space that feels beautiful, organized, and ready for this new season of life, no sacrificing style for function. Keep scrolling to see how it all came together. I’ve listed and linked everything throughout the photos so you can shop as you go. You’ll also find a full source list at the bottom of this post for easy reference.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you so much for following along on this transformation. This space truly feels like the heart of our home now. Can you see why it’s quickly become our favorite room in the house? We love watching Conrad play here, filling it with giggles, and creating new memories every day.
I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and tell me your favorite part of the new space! If you’re planning a room refresh of your own, save this post for inspiration, and don’t forget to check out the Motherhood tab for more of our journey and the Home tab for additional room reveals and design ideas.
xx CMK
Special thanks to Pottery Barn Kids for partnering with us on the space! Photos by Margo Burgio.