To not want toys brought into the lounge?

Kids are messy, and your posts do sound like your DD is the favourite, to me anyway.

Do try to change your approach here op. It does sound pretty miserable imo 😕

Happy mum means happy children in my experience. I dont think its a massive thing to keep playing to one area in the house. Years ago this wouldnt be particularly strange.

Theres no right or wrong to it OP, your house needs to work for you and keep you calm. It might be different if you were suggesting keeping it confined to bedrooms or no play but its essentially a play area you're talking about.

Orangeries traditionally have glass roofs often in the form of a lantern style to allow maximum sunlight for the fruit.
So that’s that, OP is quite right to call hers an orangery if that’s what it is.
OP. It is a shame the kids obviously want to play in the family room to join you but you don’t want their toys in there.
I would be drumming it into them if they bring their toys into the living room and pieces get lost then they can’t get upset about because that’s what happens and they need to take more care to put them back when they have finished playing.

@ohnononofenton

"Getting him to tidy it has thus far proved unsuccessful and I’m concerned it’s damaging to our relationship to be honest to have me constantly on at him with regard to toys"

This is a lot to put on a child. You are equating your child's way of play, of being, to the quality of your relationship. A child cannot see your point of view because they are not adults. All your child will interpret and internalize for life is to get mummy's love and approval I must be very careful. All your child will learn is to walk on eggshells around you. Trust me on this.

Yes, that’s life with young children

Let it go.

Part of being a parent is stepping on lego, tripping over cars and hoovering up barbie shoes. What would you rather an aesthetically pleasing house or a family home.

Yes, all they do is make themselves look a bit thick.

Why can’t it be you that compromises? “Ambling” from room to room playing, making a bit of mess with toys…that’s what children are supposed to be doing! He’s learning and growing as nature intended. I don’t understand why you can’t just work around them and tidy up when it’s bedtime, like millions of families do every single day. You have more space than most, as well; what is so stressful about visible evidence of the children who live there, during the time when they are awake and need to play?

I've never heard the term orangery!

But yeah, YABVU.

I would imagine she means an orangery because thats what she has. If she had a conservatory I would think she would call it that. Do you not understand what it is?

I think you're fighting a losing battle. Accept the chaos and tidy up together at the end of the day and get them involved. I also agree it's their home and they should be able to play in it freely.

I try and encourage my children to out away current toy before getting out new toy but don't always manage this.

I have an A3 plastic wallet for each toy. When finished playing it gets thrown in there (means you don't have to worry about packing it away properly). I also have a "bits box" for all the random bits. Occasionally I'll sort through it and put the toy pieces back in the correct bags. It's really helps organize and control the mess in my house.

OP/Hyacinth.. you can't have both a "lounge"and an "orangery" at the same time. Far too contradictory. You could have a drawing room with your orangery. Or a conservatory with your lounge perhaps? If you had to.

Also you are being a fusspot about the toys too, Standards of tidiness need to be very low age 5. Otherwise you will find life unbearable.

We play games to tidy up. Who can pick up the most red things or squishy things and get them in the box fastest

Do you have your television, stereo, bookcase or phone in this room? If yes, aren’t these toys for grownups? So why not let your children have their toys there too?

Before you know it they’ll be grown up, spending time in their bedrooms and you’ll miss this era you are in. Try to enjoy it and not worry too much about the mess.

He's 5. You can't expect him to not leave a trail of mess behind, either you constantly hassle him to keep it tidied up or you just have to unclench a little and accept a bit of mess. I would recommend the latter. In a couple of years he'll grow out of toys.

Just get a big plastic tub and at the end of the day chuck everything into it. Job done.

I mean, he's five - leaving a trail of mess in his wake is pretty much par for the course. You need to relax.

I thought the whole point of the long threads in the property section where people MUST HAVE a playroom area would indicate that people would be supportive of you OP

I agree with you but it would appear you are apparently unreasonable.

What's all this faux shock about orangery? I didn't know what it was, and looked it up - it looks much better than a conservatory or an extension. Sounds much nicer too!
OP, I completely get the issue with toys, but you'll just have to learn to ignore much of the mess - just have a small trunk or box in each room, and chuck things in there every few hours, so stuff's at least out of your sight.