Ako Playrooms

Ako Playrooms Ako Playrooms is a kids interior design company with an educational twist! We design playrooms!

Active play works best when every element has a reason to be there.We don’t start by asking how much equipment we can fi...
16/09/2026

Active play works best when every element has a reason to be there.

We don’t start by asking how much equipment we can fit into a room. We look at how children will move through the space — climbing up, moving across, hanging, swinging, balancing, crawling and finding their way back down.

That movement informs the design.

A well-planned active play set-up might include:
• climbing walls for grip strength, coordination and motor planning
• monkey bars for upper-body strength and bilateral coordination
• Swedish ladders for climbing, stretching and whole-body movement
• swings for vestibular input, balance and body awareness
• ladders, nets and overhead elements that encourage children to problem-solve as they move

Just as importantly, we consider the relationship between each piece of equipment. Where does a child start? What can they reach next? Is there a natural circuit? Are there opportunities for different levels of challenge?

The aim is not simply to create a room where children can burn energy.

It’s to create purposeful movement opportunities that support physical development, confidence and independent play — while still working within the layout and aesthetic of the home.

That’s the difference between adding play equipment to a room and designing an active play space with intent.

If you’re planning a playroom or children’s bedroom and want active play built into the design, get in touch with Ako Playrooms.

A playroom can look great in photos. The real test is what happens when the kids actually start using it.These images sh...
13/09/2026

A playroom can look great in photos. The real test is what happens when the kids actually start using it.

These images show exactly why we design around how children play, not just how a room looks.

Climbing, hanging, building, retreating, creating and moving between different types of play — all within one connected space.

For this playroom, we planned the layout to give active play a strong presence without allowing it to take over the entire room. Quieter play zones sit alongside it, storage keeps resources accessible, and every area has a clear purpose.

That balance matters.

When you’re investing in a bespoke playroom, you’re not just choosing cabinetry, colours and play equipment. You’re creating a space that needs to work for your children now, support the way they naturally play, and continue to make sense as they grow.

And seeing the finished room being used exactly as intended is always the best part.

If you’re planning a new build, renovation or dedicated playroom and want to explore what could be created within your space, you can book a free initial consultation with Ako Playrooms via the link in our bio.

11/09/2026

No separate playroom? That doesn’t mean you need to compromise on play.

In this bedroom, we used the height of the room to create a custom play loft — giving the child dedicated space to sleep, climb, play and create without taking over the entire floor.

The result is a bedroom that works harder. Active play is built into the room, storage has a clear purpose, and there’s still open space for the way play changes from day to day.

This is what we look at when designing children’s spaces: not just what fits, but how the room can support different types of play while still feeling organised and connected to the rest of the home.

If you’re trying to fit more play into your child’s bedroom, we can help you work out what’s possible within the space you already have.

Explore our residential design services via the link in bio.

A balanced playroom gives children different ways to use their bodies, focus, build, create and reset — all within the s...
07/09/2026

A balanced playroom gives children different ways to use their bodies, focus, build, create and reset — all within the same space.

This design brings those play needs together through clear zones for active play, constructive play, role play, reading and open-ended activities. The climbing wall, Swedish ladder, overhead bars and rings give children opportunities to climb, hang, balance and build confidence through movement, while the surrounding play areas support quieter, more focused play.

The mural plays an important role too. Rather than treating the active play equipment as something separate, the layered landscape wraps across the walls and climbing surfaces, connecting the whole room visually and giving the equipment a clear place within the design.

Storage sits close to where each type of play happens, keeping resources accessible without allowing the room to feel overloaded.

This is what we mean by educational design: creating a space that supports a balanced range of play, while still working as one cohesive room.

Planning a playroom or children’s space and want active play built into the design from the beginning? Get in touch with Ako Playrooms.

A playroom like this starts with far more than choosing a few pieces of play equipment.For this project, we designed the...
04/09/2026

A playroom like this starts with far more than choosing a few pieces of play equipment.

For this project, we designed the entire room around how the children would actually use it — combining active play, quieter play, storage, sensory experiences and creative spaces within one cohesive design.

The result includes a custom play loft, climbing and hanging elements, a dedicated making area, integrated storage, sensory features and spaces for independent play.

Our Bespoke Design Service takes your project from the first layout ideas through to detailed drawings, finishes, custom products, furniture selections and implementation support.

That means we don’t stop at the design. We can continue supporting the project as it moves into procurement, manufacturing and installation, helping carry the original design intent through to the finished space.

Ako Playrooms also designs and manufactures custom active play equipment specifically for each project, allowing these features to feel integrated into the room rather than added afterwards.

If you’ve been saving ideas but want someone to take responsibility for pulling the full playroom together, this is exactly the type of project we specialise in.

View our Bespoke Design Service, design fees and process through the link in our bio, or book a free initial consultation to discuss your project.

Want an active play space for your kids, but happy to manage the installation yourself?Our Essentials Design Service giv...
01/09/2026

Want an active play space for your kids, but happy to manage the installation yourself?

Our Essentials Design Service gives you a professionally planned playroom for a fixed design fee, with the flexibility to bring it to life using your own trades and installers.

For this playroom, the focus was on balancing active play with storage, open floor space and everyday family use. We planned the layout, equipment placement and overall design so the room felt cohesive and practical.

Once your design is complete, you can purchase selected active play products through the AKO Shop and manage installation yourself.

A strong fit if you want expert design direction, clear costs upfront and more control over the implementation stage.

Learn more about our Essentials Design Service at akoplayrooms.com

27/08/2026

A playroom should give children more to do, not simply more to own.

For this space, we designed different types of play into the room — climbing and movement, creative and sensory play, constructive play, imaginative play and quieter places to retreat.

The result is a room where children can move between different types of play depending on what they need that day, while storage and defined zones help keep everything functional.

This is what we mean by designing for play. We consider how your children actually use a space, then build the room around it.

Planning a playroom or children’s space of your own? Explore our Bespoke Design Service or book a free initial consultation via the link in our bio.

What can you actually fit into a garage playroom without filling every wall and losing the open space children need to p...
26/08/2026

What can you actually fit into a garage playroom without filling every wall and losing the open space children need to play?

For this Ako Essentials project, active play was a priority. We planned a Swedish ladder, climbing wall and sensory swings together as one movement zone, then balanced that with creative play, constructive play, toy storage, a play sofa and plenty of usable floor space.

That balance is important.

We don’t design playrooms around a checklist of products. We look at how your children play, what types of play the room needs to support, how toys will be organised and how much space needs to remain flexible.

Our Essentials Design Service gives you an Ako-designed playroom with the plans, product selections and design direction needed to bring it together from home — including the option to incorporate our custom active play products.

Have a bedroom, garage or playroom you’re not quite sure how to use?

Head to akoplayrooms.com to explore Essentials or book a free initial consultation.

11/08/2026

You know you want a playroom that works better. But how do you actually get from ideas… to a finished space?

Our Bespoke Design Service takes you through the full design of your child’s space, with the option to continue working with Ako Playrooms through implementation.

We start by getting to know your family — how your children play, what they’re drawn to, what isn’t working in the current space and how the room needs to function within your home.

From there, we develop your playroom through:

→ Space planning and clearly defined play zones
→ Active play designed around your children’s ages and abilities
→ Custom joinery, play lofts and built-in features
→ Toy storage and organisation systems that make everyday reset easier
→ Materials, finishes and colour selections
→ Furniture, fixtures and equipment selections
→ Detailed 3D renders so you can see the complete design
→ Working drawings and documentation to help bring the design into the real space

And the support doesn’t have to stop when the design is finished.

Through our Implementation Support Phase, we can continue working with you, your builder, trades and suppliers to help protect the design intent, coordinate products and finishes, procure FF&E and work through the decisions that come up as the project moves from drawings to construction.

Because for most families, the difficult part isn’t having ideas. It’s knowing how to turn all those ideas into one cohesive, buildable space.

You can find our design process, fees, timelines, FAQs and what’s included on the Ako Playrooms website.

Ready to talk about your space? Book a free initial consultation via the link in our bio.

05/08/2026

What happens when your children need space to climb, create, build, read and reset — but your home does not have a clear place for any of it?

Our newest residential project brings these needs together in one connected playroom.

The design includes a built-in play loft, active play equipment, sensory features, creative work areas and storage planned around what the children actually use.

Every zone has a purpose. The result will be a room that supports independent play, keeps materials easier to manage and works within the family’s everyday routine.

We’ll be sharing the design process, custom details and build progress over the coming months.

Planning a playroom that needs to do more than store toys? Start with a free initial consultation through the link in our bio.

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Auckland
0624

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