A play space needn’t be filled with plastic or adorned with garish ‘kiddie’ characters – it can be cool, comfy and fit the decor of the rest of the house.

Outfitting a play space for children might consist of nothing more than setting up a few old furniture pieces, plastic storage bins and the extra TV.

But some parents want the play space to reflect their design aesthetic. Does the rest of the home read more Eero Saarinen than Superman? More Verner Panton than Pokemon? Is the vibe less Nickelodeon, more George Nelson? If so, try balancing kid-friendly with cool.

Some options:

MOD MAD

Lots of decor from the ’60s and ’70s works well in a play space: mod lamps, modular furniture, pop art, and fun, space-age prints for wallpaper and textiles. Hues popular back then – orange, yellow, teal, green, white – add energy to furniture, cushions and rugs.

New York-based designer Amanda Nisbet used a Roy Lichtenstein print and a chrome-trimmed bubble chair in one of her children’s space projects. Victoria Sanchez, a designer in Washington, D.C., used colorful Missoni fabrics to liven up a teen lounge. (www.amandanisbetdesign.com; www.victoriaathome.com)

Check out Modshop1.com and Designpublic.com for pieces – many of them kid-size – that fit the style.

Hip, retro-style robot, typography and animal patterns designed by New Yorker Nancy Wolff are at AllModern.com.

And chocolate, tangerine or red knitted poufs and flat weave rugs with zingy geometric graphics are part of the signature line at Fab.com.

For a low-key look that still fits the aesthetic, think smooth-edged Danish modern wood furniture. Armless upholstered club chairs look smart and are perfect for lounging; find new ones at Overstock.com and vintage ones on Etsy.com. Or take a cue from Australian designer Anna Williams and use mid-century credenzas for toy storage – check out ThriveFurniture.com and OneKingsLane.com for options at various prices.

Accent with “Mad Men”-era posters or toy ads, and add floor pillows covered in patterns drawn from the era. Soothing hues like umber, avocado, mustard and sky blue keep the energy relaxed.

INDUSTRIAL CHIC

Rooms with an industrial feel – warehouse-grade tables and storage, furniture and decorative elements with a rugged look – appeal to many kids, who sense they can let loose in these spaces. And the style’s on trend, so it’s easy to do.

Neutral color palettes mixing whites, grays and browns work for either gender. Look for ceiling lights caged in metal (no worries about errant pillows or Nerf balls), riveted furniture, and repurposed machine-shop elements such as gear pieces, tools and signage. A galvanized-iron, locker-style dresser makes great storage. (www.pbteen.com )

Powder-coated in crisp red or white, Ikea’s PS metal cabinet adds a pop of color. (www.ikea.com ) A magnetized blackboard fits the edgy vibe and lets inspiration fly. Make your own inexpensively with instructions at TheTurquoiseHome.com.

Rugged-looking play tables offer surfaces for messy art and often offer great storage for toys and games. (www.rhbabyandchild.com ) Lumber, flooring and stone yards will often give old pallets away: Lots of ideas for making your own play or coffee table can be found at Home-dzone.co.za.

EXPLORATION LOCATION

Animals, trees, and sky or earth elements can inspire children to be creative in play spaces, and many contemporary pieces appeal to both kids and adults. At Stardust.com, find the Zuo Modern Phante chair, a version of Eames’ iconic, polypropylene, elephant-shaped chair.

A realistic, cast-resin bear’s head is fun, eclectic wall art. (www.urbanoutfitters.com )

Ocean Sole’s animal sculptures made out of scavenged flip flops would be inspiration for indoor adventures – rhinos, giraffes and lions come in sizes up to about 5 feet long. (www.thespotteddoor.com ; www.piqproducts.com .)

Clouds and intergalactic silver orbs are two of the striking mural wallpapers at DesignYourWall.com.

Ikea’s Vandring Spar low-pile rug features an Impressionist version of a nature walk, complete with grass and sandy footprints. And a soft gray and white wool rug silhouettes romping deer and a leafy forest at LandofNod.com.