Before you paint your playhouse...

Before you start building your playhouse, make sure you meet any local codes or neighborhood covenants.  This will save you lots of heartache in the long run.  The last thing you want to do is have your child fall in love with their new play space only to find out that it must be altered or worse, moved.  Many neighborhoods require approval before you build, but don't let this discourage you.  Just plan ahead.  Keep in mind when regularly scheduled neighborhood meetings are.  A weekend project could take all summer if you miss a deadline to submit you design.  This may sound like a hassle, but will give you a chance to really have fun deciding exactly what you want your playhouse to look like. 

Here are a few things you may need in order to have your design approved:

1. A sketch or image of what your playhouse will look like
2. Overall dimensions of the structure - height, width, length
3. Where in your yard it will be located
4. What materials you are going to use on the exterior (wood, brick, shingles)
5. Paint color samples

*  Some neighborhoods (particulararly historical areas) may even require more specific information.  Your local building supply store can provide you with the appropriate literature as well as samples for shingles or siding.
 
Some neighborhoods even require outbuildings to match the color of your home.  What do you do if your home is brown and your child wants a pink playhouse?  Most likely you will be able to do anything you want on the interior, so go wild with color there.  You could even add color to the exterior with a fun wreath on the door and cute flower boxes under the windows.  You may even be able to convince the neighborhood association to add a punch of color only on the door.

Regardless of what's required, don't get bogged down or discouraged.  Enjoy the process!

The pretty pink playhouse above is currently being protested by the neighborhood association, and it's not even visible from the street.  For the full story and video visit NBC.