How to Make a Den

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A den is any comfortable space designed with relaxation and recreation in mind. Kids love to build these out of blankets and chairs, or craft an outdoor den using sticks. If your house has a spare room or nook, add comfortable furniture for a den where people of all ages can relax.

You might be looking for instructions on building an animal den.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making an Indoor Kid's Den

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  1. Once the den is built, it might end up as the favorite hangout spot for days or weeks afterward. The kids' bedroom or playroom is an ideal spot, but one corner of a large living room or other spare room could work. Move all valuable and breakable items out of the chosen area, to protect it from the wild den denizens. [1]
    • Some houses have secret, kid-sized areas underneath the staircase, which are perfect for dens.
  2. You can build the den over a bunk bed, a table, the back of a couch, or several chairs. Two or three pieces of heavy furniture are ideal, since you can create space between them.
    • Lightweight objects like lamps or plastic chairs will just fall over when the blanket is added, so leave those out of it.
    • To make the structure friendly for adults or tall children, tie a broom to the back of the furniture.
    • Turn chairs so they face outward, to make the den roomier.
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  3. Move the furniture apart so the sheet is almost taut, and you'll have more room and a more sturdy structure. Some fitted sheets will stay up on their own, but you'll often need to fasten them with clothespins or tape at each corner and halfway along each side. [2] Rough play almost always pulls the sheet down, but dens are so quick and easy to repair that this doesn't matter much.
    • A stack of heavy books or a few thumbtacks are sometimes necessary, but avoid them if the den is for younger kids. They will get pulled down eventually, and you don't want anyone getting hurt.
    • For a more permanent den, have a crafty adult mount ceiling hooks and hang the sheet from that.
  4. If the den feels a little small, add extra chairs and sheets, or set up a tent for an easy extension. Overlapping the sheets can form a more sturdy ceiling, but you may need alligator clips or similar tools to keep it stable.
  5. Lift the sheet on one side so people can climb in. Drape two small blankets over that entrance instead, so people can push them aside and crawl in.
  6. Add pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and toys! To create a real palace, add a chest of games and snacks, a small television, or a miniature fridge. Then climb in and relax for thirty seconds before the first pillow fight starts. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making an Outdoor Kid's Den

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  1. If you don't have a garden or forest nearby, ask your parents to take you on a day trip to a national park. [4] If the forest is near a motorway, shoreline, or other potential danger, make sure everyone knows how to stay safe.
    • If you've had rain or fog, bring along a couple tarpaulins to use as a dry floor and rainproof cover. [5]
  2. A living tree with a Y-shaped split near the ground is ideal for building a den, since you can use the Y branch as a ceiling. Boulders and other natural structures can also work, but avoid caves or hollows that look like they may be used by an animal. [6]
    • Don't use a dead tree, as the branches could break and collapse your den.
    • Bushes and thick plant growth can be home to ticks, which can cause nasty diseases. Check the local wildlife warnings from the park service to see whether bracken is safe to use in your area.
  3. Look for fallen, unbroken branches that feel solid, but not heavy enough to cause injury if they drop on someone. If there aren't many of these around, tie smaller branches into bundles, or bring bamboo poles, broom handles, lightweight chairs, or other materials from home. [7]
    • Never break off a living branch. Interact with the forest respectfully, without harming the environment.
  4. A sturdy tree branch or leaning tree makes a strong frame for your den all by itself, but there are several other techniques you can use: [8]
    • A sturdy branch can be wedged into a rock pile at a slant, but must be firmly in place before you continue.
    • Three branches can be wedged against each other to form a triangle, with a little trial-and-error. Add more branches one by one to form a circular den.
    • If you have rope or strong string, lean branches against each other in a tent shape, lay out a branch across the top, and tie them all together along its length. This may take several people.
    • If you have a tarpaulin, tie each corner to a tree to make a ceiling. To prevent sagging in the rain, place a small rock in the center of the tarp from underneath, tie it in place, then attach a long rope and hoist the center by tossing the rope over a tall branch.
  5. Den-building is a great open-ended activity for kids to explore on their own. Some kids may just want to lean a few sticks on to the frame to hide underneath, while others will interlace branches in new and creative shape. Rope is handy to have around in case a structure needs more support, but with experience the builders can make dens using nothing but the natural materials around them.
  6. To make a camouflaged or weather-resistant den, cover both surfaces with leaves and twigs. Sweep out the floor of your den to make it more comfortable. You can even make a garden outside the den by "planting" pine cones or colorful leaves, and surrounding them with a fence of twigs or stacked rocks. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Family Den

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  1. If you don't have a spare room, consider rearranging a living room or dining room to divide it into two parts. [10] A tall bookcase or a tall-backed couch can create a section of the room to use as a den.
  2. Do any repairs, cleaning, or redecorating to the room while it is at its emptiest. Does your room need new flooring or new paint to be attractive and comfortable? Tackle that now.
  3. Think about what activities you or your family will pursue in the den, so you can make it as comfortable as possible. Here are some activities you might want to design your den around:
    • Quiet, relaxing activities, such as reading, sewing, or other hobbies.
    • Group activities, such as playing games or watching movies or sports.
    • Desk activities, such as using a desktop computer, making art projects, or building things.
  4. This can be anything from a pool table to a writing desk, depending on the primary purpose of the room. As you arrange the other furniture, keep it oriented toward this focal point. This will make the den feel cozy and aesthetically pleasing.
    • For smaller dens without space for large furniture items, arrange around a large window, a fireplace, a tapestry, or a painting.
  5. Easy chairs or sofas are fine, but don't rule out bean bags , floor cushions, hanging sling chairs, or papasan chairs. Make sure there's comfortable seating for people of every height.
    • If your den is in a basement, shed, or other area with less temperature and humidity control, consider wooden patio furniture instead to minimize mold and other damage.
  6. You may want comfortable, low light if you want the atmosphere room to seem more like a lounge. On the other hand, if you are reading or doing crafts in the den, you will need appropriate task lighting.
  7. If you like, add a small fridge, a television or computer, or a foosball table. If you have the space, consider a sound system , exercise equipment, or a dedicated area for playing musical instruments, weaving, or other space-intensive hobbies.
  8. If your family will be listening to music, watching DVDs, playing games, doing crafts, or reading books, you'll want storage. You can use an existing closet or add storage in the form of bookcases, media racks, cabinets, and so on.
  9. Now that you've installed all the furniture, decorate the rest of the den however you'd like. Add a throw rug and couch pillows, hang up posters, or place decorative items on shelves. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you add plants to a living space?
    Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA
    Professional Home Stager & Organizer
    Taya Wright is a Professional Home Stager & Organizer and the Founder of Just Organized by Taya, a BBB Accredited Home Styling Company based in Houston, Texas. Taya has over eight years of home staging and decorating experience. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and a member of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). Within RESA, she is the current RESA Houston chapter president. She is a graduate of the Home Staging Diva® Business program.
    Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA
    Professional Home Stager & Organizer
    Expert Answer
    Plants are a great choice to add dimension, color, and a part of nature to your home. In terms of actual placement of plants, I really recommend putting plants and flowers on an entryway table. They look very nice in a little nook in the stairwell corner when you walk into a space, for example. Bathroom ledges are also a great option. Of course, in terms of placement of real plants, putting them by windows is always going to be ideal.
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  • Question
    How do you make the best den?
    Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA
    Professional Home Stager & Organizer
    Taya Wright is a Professional Home Stager & Organizer and the Founder of Just Organized by Taya, a BBB Accredited Home Styling Company based in Houston, Texas. Taya has over eight years of home staging and decorating experience. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and a member of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA). Within RESA, she is the current RESA Houston chapter president. She is a graduate of the Home Staging Diva® Business program.
    Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA
    Professional Home Stager & Organizer
    Expert Answer
    For a living room den, I really love adding a nice high pile rug. I usually recommend choosing an oversized rug, as a lot of people get rugs for their living rooms that are really too small. When you get the correct size, the high pile makes it really thick and cushy, and will immediately make the space more inviting. It will also bring softness to the space, because of the texture.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How could I create a den that will last for more than a season?
    Holly Dounson
    Community Answer
    Create your den in a place with plenty of space, and where you won't need to take it down.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • If you plan to use the den for noisy activities, choose an out-of-the-way location where the noise will not bother people elsewhere in the house or neighbourhood.
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      • Be wary of using lamps in or near the fort; this poses as a fire hazard. Also, in case of emergency, have an easily accessible exit so that you can escape and others can get in to help you.
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      • If you want to build an outside den, make sure that there are no wild animals in that area! And bring some bug spray with you Just in case.
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      Warnings

      • When building a kid's den, avoid using sharp objects, glass, or containers that may have held dangerous chemicals.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/blanket-fort
      2. ↑ http://theartofsimple.net/how-to-build-a-great-blanket-fort/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HPnf15i-Ls
      4. ↑ http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/forestipedia/how-to-build-the-ultimate-forest-den
      5. ↑ http://www.edenproject.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/how-to-build-your-own-den/
      6. ↑ https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/how-to-build-your-own-den
      7. ↑ http://www.edenproject.com/blog/index.php/2011/06/how-to-build-your-own-den/
      8. ↑ https://wildabouthere.com/how-to-build-an-awesome-den/
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHO-CeITWMI
      1. ↑ Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA. Professional Home Stager & Organizer. Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.
      2. ↑ Taya Wright, NAPO, RESA. Professional Home Stager & Organizer. Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make an indoor kid’s den, start by clearing out a convenient location, like your playroom or a corner of a large living room. Then, arrange 2 or 3 pieces of heavy furniture, such as couches or chairs, to create a play space, and drape a large sheet over them. Next, make an entrance by lifting the sheet on one side, or by draping 2 small blankets over a gap in the furniture that kids can push aside and crawl through. Once you’ve got your den set up, fill it with pillows, blankets, and toys, and let the fun and games begin! For tips on how to make a family den or an outdoor kid’s den, keep reading!

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