How To Style A Kid’s Room That Will Take Them From Baby To Tween
Interiors
Artworks all by Gemma Leslie. Home of Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks.
Ikea cot. Pan After Day-To-Day Bag. ‘Edible Garden‘ art print by Gemma Leslie. Home of Gemma Leslie. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Sarah Hendriks
Just a few tweaks transforms our nursery concept (top) into a big kid’s dream room! From left: Willow Shelves from Tasman Eco. Wooden Doll No. 13 from Vitra. Art by Emmanuelle McGlade. Porshe 911 from Lego. Janod Cocoon Pull along Duck Family from The Memo. Casa 6-Drawer Dresser from Fenton & Fenton. Large blue and off-white Tin Container from Hay. Park Pardon Mask 286 from Pan After. Everyday Outdoor backpack from Fjall Raven. Rice Paper Shade Large from Cult. ‘My Country Antarrengeny 95-24’ by Lilly Kemarre from Brunswick Street Gallery. The Shorty from Mustard Made. Personalised Bear in Honey Bear Blue Overalls from Nana Huchy. Basque Woven Cushion Cover from Città. Velvet Structured Bolster in Nutmeg from Saardé. Norah Rattan King Single Bed from Life Interiors. Puddle Stone Interior light from We Ponder. Drift Side Table from Trit.
Surround by Laminex Classic VJ 200 panels. Paint colour – Dulux Butter Fingers, Custom bedhead by Zenn Design, using Warwick Fabrics Davina Linen in colour ‘Rosewater’, gold velvet pillowcase by Castle, Goldie Gauze Burnt Butter quilt cover and pillowcase by Sheet Society, Chamomile pink quilted throw, Pollen cushion in colour ‘Toast’ and Woven Stripe bolster cushion in in colour ‘buff’ all by Bonnie and Neil. Hay Matin wall lamp available from Cult. Photos – Eve Wilson, Styling – Lucy Feagins, Art Direction – Annie Portelli.
Surround by Laminex Classic VJ 200 panels. Paint colour – Dulux Butter Fingers, Agra Rug by Armadillo, curtains created by Zenn Design, using Warwick Fabrics Davina Linen in colour ‘Cotton’, with contrast band in colour ‘Wheat’. Custom bedhead also created by Zenn Design using Warwick Fabrics Davina Linen in colour ‘Rosewater’, large floor cushion by Castle, Chamomile pink quilted throw, Pollen cushion in colour ‘Toast’ and Woven Stripe bolster cushion in in colour ‘buff’ all by Bonnie and Neil. Shell painting by Gemma Leslie, kids artworks by Minnie Johnson, printed on canvas by Crumb Kids. Limestone flower sculpture by Den Holm, small ceramics by Takeawei. Chest of Drawers by Softer Studio. Photos – Eve Wilson, Styling – Lucy Feagins, Art Direction – Annie Portelli.
Laminex Classic VJ 100 profile panelling, painted with Dulux Royal Oakleaf. Artwork (left) by Emma Lipscombe. Leather hooks by Made Measure. Woven Straw Basket from Ollie Ella. Painted Sculpture by Mark Alsweiler. Wooden Bear from Top 3 By Design. Rattan Sideboard from Freedom Furniture. Setago JH27 lamp from &Tradition. Rattan Bed Frame from Life Interiors. Dog Poster from v.happy co. Striped Cushion from Oat Studio. Coloured Cushions from Hommey. Bed Linen from Bed Threads. Checkered Throw by Curio Practice. Exsisting Wooden Rocking Horse. Checkered Rug from GoodSpace. Photos – Eve Wilson, Styling – Annie Portelli.
A nursery is arguably one of the best rooms in the house to design. It’s a space where you can have some fun, whilst still staying true to your style.
To create a room that will grow with your child, it’s important to start with a strong base: a timeless floor covering and quality lighting is a must.
The Lisbon rug from Weave is a great option, not only because it works with many styles but also because it’s robust and textural (perfect for hiding wear and tear from tiny adventures).
A large paper pendant works for the similar timeless reasons, providing soft glow to the room no matter what age or stage. Add a fun decorative touch with a sculptural sconce, like the Puddle Stone Interior light by We Ponder.
Portable lamps are perfect for kid’s rooms, plus they add a pop of colour and ambient light. We like the Arum Portable Lamp from Trit, the Setago Table Lamp from Cult and the PC Portable Lamp from In Good Company.
Bigger furniture items like Koala’s Suffolk Armchair and Trit’s Lineage Side Table are pieces that will see the room through from baby to tween — and beyond!
And, investing in good storage options early on will also save you the hassle of needing to upgrade in the future. Mustard Made’s range of lockers add a pop of colour whilst providing the perfect spot for hiding away toys, blankets and various knick-knacks.
For clothing, choose a set of drawers — like Fenton & Fenton’s Casa 6-Drawer Dresser — that are fun, timeless and have plenty of storage space.
This leaves you with just one item that does require an update: the bed. Start with a flexible option like the Pisa Cot from Tasman Eco, which can be converted from a bassinet into a cot and then finally a toddler bed.
Then, when you’re finally ready to upgrade to a big-kid bed, look to one with a neutral, textural base — like the Norah Rattan King Single from Life Interiors. It’s the perfect base for all kinds of fun bedding!
Explore more kid’s furniture, lighting, storage and more in the Design Directory!
Additional top moodboard credits: (from left) Personalised Bear in Honey Bear Blue Overalls from Nana Huchy. Basque Woven Cushion Cover from Città. ‘My Country Antarrengeny 95-24’ by Lilly Kemarre from Brunswick Street Gallery. Velvet Structured Bolster in Nutmeg from Saardé. ‘Zebra’ by Ziyanda Mramba + MonkeyBiz from Brunswick Street Gallery. Miffy Corduroy Soft Toy in Olive Green from Sage x Clare. ‘Two’ by Emmanuelle McGlade from Holbrook Workshop.