Want to create fun, practical places where your children can enjoy themselves around the house?

Taunton's Kidspace Idea Book gives you hundreds of creative design ideas that will work for you and your kids.

Whether you're planning to do the work yourself -- or looking for great ideas you'd like an architect or contractor to bring to life -- this inspiring reference will help you put together a plan that's right for your family and your budget.

From lofts and secret hideaways to high-tech homework centers and colorful bedrooms, you'll discover lots of clever ways to make your house more kid friendly.

With stunning color photos, creative floor plans and step-by-step details on how to make it all happen, this valuable book has everything you need to plan a makeover your kids will love.

1. Houses Made for Children
So What Are the Trends?
Planning for What You Want
Great Family Areas
Look for Overlooked Space
The Great Backyard
About This Book

2. Bedrooms and Baths
Beginning with the Nursery
Rooms for Toddlers
Rooms for Grade Schoolers
The Teenager?s Room
Bathrooms for Kids
A Place for Everything

3. Places Built Just for Kids
Suites
Playrooms
Hideaways
Places to Do Homework
Special-Activity Rooms

4. Rooms for the Whole Family
Family Rooms
Kitchens and Eating Areas
Stowing Gear

5. Playing Outside
Basic Play Areas
Playhouses
Tree Houses

Kids rooms are in a class by themselves. Other parts of the house may be designed with a certain reserve, but the most appealing spaces for children are those that are created with abandon and joy. Of course, there are implicit rewards in crafting an environment for children. We have the pleasure of shaping a setting that fosters both fun and learning, a place where kids can thrive and grow. And besides, were all young at heart; designing rooms for kids draws on our own playfulness and youthful spirit.

I was impressed by that fun factor in kids room designs when I collected ideas for the original Kidspace Idea Book. Im even more impressed by it now. The first book offered hundreds of excellent designs from around the country and beyond, and I was happy to learn that designers and homeowners alike found much inspiration in those pages. It was particularly gratifying to know that the book was used exactly as we had intended as a source of ideas to build on and personalize rather than simply reproduce.

I began researching kidspaces again and discovered a whole new generation of wonderful designs, all of them fresh and vibrant. Those new designs are presented in this book. Some are big ideas -- dream rooms, you might say. They are here to inspire, not intimidate. In fact, Ive made a point of zeroing in on the specific ideas contained in these rooms so that you can apply them as a package or make la carte selections. In either case, you can interpret the ideas as you wish and make them your own.

Other ideas are simpler but just as creative. Ive highlighted many economical ideas, easy-to-implement techniques, and shortcuts to great designs. There is something for everyone in these pages: designs for kids of all ages; projects for do-it-yourselfers as well as those that may be best handled by professionals; approaches for whole rooms as well as room areas and components; off-the-shelf as well as custom solutions; clever built-ins as well as room-making accessories.

All the pieces are here. With a touch of your own imaginative spark you can combine them to create kidspaces just right for your needs.