Adding a half story to a ranch home gave a couple with five children (all under the age of 10) a children’s wing with distinct, cleverly designed spaces. The floor’s focus is its playroom that has become an upstairs family room and place to read before putting the kids to bed. It functions equally well for inspiring dress-up, building with blocks, and playing video games.

This common area is surrounded by four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a laundry room, and a computer room. In the bathrooms, dark tile grout and durable materials such as distressed hardwoods can handle the abuse five kids dish out. Vanities are not at tiny-tot heights because the kids won’t be small for long. For now, the children employ step stools.