A cubby house fresh from the box is wonderful, but a personalised cubby house is magical. Decorating transforms a simple play structure into your children's own special space—a place that reflects their personalities and sparks their imagination. The best part? You don't need a big budget or artistic talent to create something amazing. Here are our favourite ideas for making your cubby truly special.
Painting and Colour
Paint is the most transformative decorating tool available. A few tins of outdoor paint can completely change your cubby's character and make it uniquely yours.
Choosing Your Colour Scheme
Consider involving your children in colour selection—it builds their investment in the space. For younger children, bright primaries (red, blue, yellow) are naturally appealing. Older children might prefer more sophisticated combinations or specific themes.
Think about how the cubby will look in your garden. Colours that complement your home's exterior and garden plants create a cohesive look. Alternatively, a deliberately bold colour choice makes the cubby a standout feature.
âś“ Popular Colour Combinations
- Classic cottage: White walls with coloured trim (blue, green, or red)
- Natural look: Timber stain with forest green accents
- Bright and bold: Primary colours or rainbow themes
- Pastel dream: Soft pinks, lavenders, and mint greens
- Beach house: White, pale blue, and sandy tones
Painting Tips
Use quality exterior paint designed for the material (timber or plastic—yes, you can paint plastic cubbies with the right preparation and paint). For timber, ensure the surface is clean and dry, sand lightly, and apply a primer before your colour coats. For plastic, use a plastic primer and paint specifically formulated for plastics.
Adding patterns doesn't require artistic skill. Painter's tape lets you create clean stripes, geometric patterns, or colour-blocked sections. Stencils are perfect for adding shapes, flowers, or even house numbers to the door.
Adding Character with Details
Door and Window Treatments
Small details make a big impact. Consider adding a miniature letterbox by the door for "mail" delivery, a small welcome mat or outdoor rug at the entrance, a wind chime or simple door knocker, window boxes with real or artificial flowers, or simple fabric curtains inside the windows.
Signs and Personalisation
A name sign transforms a generic cubby into your children's personal domain. Options range from professionally made custom signs to DIY wooden signs painted at home. Include your children's names, a cubby house name they've chosen, or fun phrases like "Secret Hideaway" or "No Grown-Ups Allowed."
House numbers add a realistic touch and help with imaginative "address" play. Chalkboard paint on one section creates a space for messages and drawings that can change daily.
Interior Furnishing
The inside of your cubby deserves attention too. Creating a comfortable, functional interior extends play time and play possibilities.
Seating Options
Choose weather-resistant options that can stay in the cubby year-round. Bean bag chairs designed for outdoors are comfortable and versatile. Small wooden stools or benches can be painted to match the cubby. Floor cushions are easy to bring in and out as needed. Avoid upholstered indoor furniture, which will quickly become mouldy in an outdoor environment.
Play Furniture
A small table is invaluable for drawing, tea parties, and other activities. Look for child-sized outdoor tables or repurpose old side tables with a coat of weatherproof paint. A play kitchen setup extends imaginative play options dramatically. These don't need to be expensive—a simple bench with some hooks, baskets, and pretend food works wonderfully.
đź’ˇ Budget-Friendly Interior Ideas
- Repurposed crates for shelving and storage
- Charity shop finds painted to match
- Outdoor rugs in fun patterns
- Hanging fabric pockets for toy storage
- Old saucepans for a "kitchen"
Storage Solutions
A cluttered cubby is less inviting. Simple storage keeps things organised. Wall-mounted baskets or fabric pockets use vertical space efficiently. Hooks for dress-ups, bags, and accessories keep items off the floor. A small outdoor-safe box can store toys between play sessions. Clear expectations with children about putting things away help maintain the space.
Themed Cubby Houses
A cohesive theme can guide decorating decisions and create an immersive play experience. Here are some popular themes that work well:
Shop or Café
Add a serving window or counter, a simple awning, a chalkboard menu, play food and dishes, a toy cash register, and baskets for "produce." This theme encourages social and mathematical play as children run their business.
Castle or Fortress
Paint grey stone patterns, add cardboard crenellations (the castle-top pattern), hang a family "flag" or banner, provide dress-up items like capes and crowns, and perhaps a cardboard shield. Perfect for dramatic, adventurous play.
Beach or Tropical
Blue and white colour scheme, rope details, shells and starfish decorations, palm tree or beach umbrella nearby, and sand in the surrounding play area. Great for Australian backyards wanting a coastal vibe.
Garden Cottage
Pastel colours, abundant flower boxes, fairy lights and decorations, small garden bed nearby for children to tend, and butterfly or bee decorations. This theme connects with nature and can inspire gardening interest.
Lighting Options
Lighting extends play into evening hours and adds atmosphere. Safety is paramount—avoid mains electrical work and instead use battery-powered or solar options.
Solar Lights
Solar fairy lights strung along the roofline or inside the cubby create a magical evening atmosphere with zero running costs. Solar spotlights can illuminate the cubby from outside. Ensure any solar panels get adequate sun during the day.
Battery Options
Battery-powered lanterns provide portable light. LED candles are safe and atmospheric. Battery fairy lights with timers simplify daily use. Check and replace batteries regularly.
⚠️ Safety Reminder
Never use real candles, oil lamps, or any open flames in or near a cubby house. Ensure any electrical items used are designed for outdoor use if they'll be exposed to weather. Keep batteries and small components away from very young children.
Surrounding Area
The space around your cubby is part of the play environment too. Thoughtful landscaping and additions enhance the overall experience.
Pathways
A defined path to the cubby adds to its "house" feeling. Stepping stones are child-friendly and easy to install. Garden edging creates boundaries. A gravel path provides good drainage and crunchy footsteps.
Garden Elements
A small garden bed tended by children connects play with nature. A bird feeder or bird bath nearby brings wildlife to observe. Potted plants in colourful containers brighten the area. Pinwheels or windsocks add movement and colour.
Seasonal Decorations
Changing decorations seasonally keeps the cubby feeling fresh and creates anticipation throughout the year. Simple swaps make a big difference.
Spring: Fresh flowers in window boxes, butterfly decorations, pastel accessories.
Summer: Beach-theme additions, bright colours, water play nearby.
Autumn: Fall leaves, harvest decorations, warm tones.
Winter/Christmas: Fairy lights, tinsel, festive decorations.
Involving Children
The most meaningful decorations are often those children create themselves. Encourage their involvement by letting them paint a section or add their own artwork, creating decorations together as a craft project, allowing them to arrange and rearrange interior items, asking for their ideas and incorporating their suggestions, and giving them ownership over their space.
Children who feel ownership over their cubby take better care of it and use it more enthusiastically. Their decorating choices might not match adult aesthetics, but that's perfectly okay—it's their space.
Final Thoughts
The perfect cubby house decoration is whatever makes your children light up when they see their special space. It doesn't need to be expensive, Pinterest-perfect, or permanent. Start simple, add elements over time, and let the cubby evolve with your children's interests and imagination.
Remember, the magic of a cubby house isn't in how it looks to adults—it's in the adventures children have within its walls. A few thoughtful personal touches transform any cubby from a structure into a magical kingdom, a secret hideout, or a home away from home.