Full confession: I don’t have children. Nonetheless, I appreciate well-designed, fun furnishings for children. After all, why shouldn’t little people develop their design aesthetic young?
(Photo: Kidtropolis)
When I was about five, my mother took me shopping for wallpaper for my bedroom. Being the tomboy that I was, I chose a Cowboy and Indian print that was instantly vetoed by my mother in favour of something floral. I suffered through her decision for nearly a decade before I covered it with posters of my favourite punk bands in a fit of rebellion at the age of 14. I can’t say that I would have been happy with my choice as I grew up but the fact that I still remember it so many decades later makes me realize that a child’s room should reflect his or her personality.
(Photo: Kidtropolis)
If you are willing to go all out, I would recommend the work of Virginia-based designers Kidtropolis whose rooms really are everything a little kid could dream of. While these layouts are outrageously whimsical, functionality and storage are important elements of their designs.
(Photo: Kast van een Huis)
If a whole room is a little much, consider fun pieces made to scale for little people. What child wouldn’t be eager to put his or her toys away in these cupboards built to look like a European cityscape? And because each piece can be made with three shelves and a clothes bar, kids can actually hang up their own laundry, a win-win situation for children and parents alike.
Photo: Kast van een Huis)
Italy’s Graziano Moro and Renato Pigatti designed their Queen of Love chair with adults in mind but its bright colours and easy-to-clean Polyethylene construction makes it an excellent for a child’s room. Wouldn’t it be the perfect place to snuggle up your little one for a bedtime story?
(Photo: Hipster Home)
But if your princess (or prince) needs a throne of her/his own, Linvin carries a smaller version with slightly different colour options.
(Photo: Phine & Whimsey)
For children who want to imitate the grown-ups, many designers have created mini-versions of iconic designs. Australia’s Little Nest brings mid-century modern to the pre-school set with items like the Yolk Chair, a riff on Arne Jacobsen’s 1958 Egg Chair. I must admit though, at nearly $600, I would be afraid to let messy little hands near this piece.
(Photo: Little Nest)
The next time your child’s room needs a make-over, get him or her involved in the process. While not all of their choices might be the most practical, some of them may surprise you. And I can’t imagine a more fun bonding experience than creating a creative living space together.
