Simplify is always a good strategy with play rooms. The temptation to cover the walls with artwork and posters can add to the visual clutter. I would suggest a larger area rug to ground the space and create a soft place for playing on the floor. A medium colour with a fleck from other hues in the curtains and upholstery will help hide dirt and lint. I think you could definitely cozy it up with a warm wall colour to unify the space. Lastly, closed storage for the toys goes a long way to creating order from the chaos. You will have a lovely space the children enjoy and you find restful.

Do you mean in the kitchen specifically or in the whole house? In the kitchen have a cupboard or two with safe things - plastic food boxes, utensils towels, aprons, plastic bowls, down low. Put catches on anywhere that has dangerous or breakable stuff. Teach them (show and repeat repeat repeat!) that some cupboards are allowed and some off limits. (Level of success in this may depend on the kid. My eldest has always listened, my youngest doesn't) Elsewhere in the house, same principle. Put the stuff that is safe for them in the lower cabinets or in storage boxes - e.g. in my hall I store shoes, hats, gloves etc in soft ikea boxes or tub trugs under a table or bench. If they pull it all out, well, it is fun for them, doesn't take me an age to put back, and they feel they have had some lee-way. However, I don't do this in every room, as I personally don't agree with putting everything that is not theirs, out of reach or above their eye level. If you don't do this, they will hopefully learn that not everything is there for them to play with and you have items that are yours. For example, I have my glasses and phone on my bedside table in the morning - if any small child reaches for them they are told "ahuh! MUMMY's...!!!" Usually stops them in their tracks at least for a second! Again, success depends on the child but if they are told often enough they will have learnt what is off limits by the time they are, maybe 4? As for keeping the child corner tidy - use boxes, bins, shelves and put them behind the sofa when not in use./ Re paint scuffs - I dont' allow crayons and pencils anywhere but the kitchen, no hands on the walls, or things with wheels to be scuffed against the wall, BUT I accept it will happen and I'll repaint in a year or two when they are more in control of their bodies!

Thank you both for taking the time to comment. Yes it would be better without the doors but unfortunately the doors have to stay. Patricia's U-shaped idea is promising. I could use the outer two thirds of the 'conservatory' area as a 'lounge' space and then place a dining table extending up into the rest of the kitchen area. I'm just unsure as to whether it will work as a unified space.

Hi, what a lovely "canvas" to begin! My late husband loved wood. I think it is too drab and have changed mine for glass and various off whites as the rooms are non-square here and the house is old but takes modern too. My gut feeling is that the way forward is to choose an exciting "theme" for downstairs first. Would you consider bright and airy sky, or tropical, or geometric, or bookish, or carnival, or countryside, what about a space rocket on the wall for the kids - it can be covered when they grow tired of it? And as it is it has my pet hate - a good window - wasted - with a grim reminder of housework - a sink in front of it instead of one out of sight with a strip light over it!!!!