apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Do you need a space to set him down whil you cook or shower or something?
I'm assuming actual play pens and swings are out? Apt life you need space...

I'd actually reccomend going with a gate that accordians across an open floor plan. You probably want something secured to the wall at the sides for stability as he'll likely be pulling him self up on it. I wouldn'd worry about him hitting his head on the gate or anything, they are mostly plastic construction.... and its not like you're leaving him alone in there while you run out for beers.

We had a big (9') space to close between a corner fireplace and the opposite wall, so we set out a series of foam cube ottomans slip-covered in modern fabric. They were light enough for us to move, soft, and fun for our toddler to peer over. Bonus: easy for us to step over/around and extra seating for guests.

Also, I think it's important to leave some safe hard surfaces exposed. We padded the few sharp edges that couldn't be moved out of the room, and left things like the windowsills and rounded-edge hearth to be used for pulling up and walking along.

i just use a rectangular sleeping bag, easy to clean, thick enough for padding and easy storage

When our girls were just starting to crawl we put an inflated kiddie pool (empty) in our living room and let them crawl in side it. We NEVER left them there unattended, though, due to safety reasons. They loved it and it kept them contained and provided a soft bumper. When friends came over we just threw it (toys and all) into our bedroom.

i'd say a play pen. They're safe, fold up or can be used to toss everything in for storage.

It's not a cushiest option, but I find a yoga mat does the trick nicely when I need a semi-clean, semi-soft surface upon which my baby can play and practice getting around. The grippy texture helps him to move around more easily without slipping, and it's super-easy to clean and put away. Plus, it's nice to see someone finally putting it to use!

I realize you said you don't want to make it look like a giant play pen but there may be some things you might have to get. For instance, a gate, as someone else recommended. That way your child has a designated area to play in. Invest in a good thick rug or a foam type mat that could go with your decor if you're willing to spend the money. We spent money on foam mats from the toy store so our play area definitely looks like a giant play pen. If all of this is totally out, then all you can really do is get a portable play pen. That way you can set it up whenever and wherever you like.

A gate, cover any sharp corners & make sure bookcases are secured to wall. Supervision. With that said, remember kids do learn by falling & getting the occasional bump :)