Children grow quickly, but with the right basics, you can adapt a child's room to their age and needs in no time. We've gathered ideas and tips for updating a small children's room and furnishing it with suitable furniture and accessories.
Furnishing a child's room – here's how:
- Furnishing a nursery
- Ideas for a playroom
- A child's room for a school-age child
- A sustainable child's room
In a hurry? Jump straight to the child's room guide at a glance.
1. Furnishing a nursery
The changing table is the central piece in a nursery. Besides a classic changing table, choose furniture where the changing top can later be removed and the base reused as a chest of drawers.
Choose understated decor for the nursery to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Mobiles, music boxes, shelves and picture ledges can all be installed while your baby is still small. Think about the right height now, so that your toddler will eventually be able to reach toys and books independently.
You can also plan ahead when decorating the walls. Babies love contrasts they can explore and focus on. Choose wall art and posters that will still suit the next stage – IXXI and byGraziela have some suitable designs. The first children's books can also decorate the wall. Your baby will enjoy hearing you read aloud, as they love your voice.
Think about a seating area for parents too. Whether you're sitting with your baby or another adult, a seat in the child's room is practical and adds a cosy touch. Small stools that your child can sit on later can first be used as a side table next to the armchair.
Plan enough storage space for clothes, nappies and care products. Closed shelving modules such as Muuto's Stacked are a good option and can be extended later as needed.
A cot that grows with your child is particularly practical and can be adapted from toddler age until the start of school. Decorate a simple child's bed as you or your child like, with cute bedding, soft toys, decorative cushions or other textiles.
It's worth planning different light sources even in a nursery. Alongside a night light and mood lighting, you can add a reading light next to the seat.
In summer, when it stays light for longer, it's important to be able to darken the child's room. Curtains and drapes can also help protect it from too much heat in summer and from the cold in winter.
2. The nursery becomes a playroom
Make room for a cosy play corner so your toddler can make the room their own. Choose a mattress that can later be used for sleepovers, a children's rug or a play tent where your child can retreat.
Children need space to play, while adults appreciate a tidy look. Combine enough closed and open storage. Toys can be put away in the evening, while books and decor brighten up the room. Brands such as Liewood offer child-friendly, colourful storage solutions to help you and your children organise toys and other belongings.
"To help children reach toys and books independently, make sure shelves, cabinets and book ledges aren't hung too high. Also think about toy boxes, baskets and bags where your child can put their toys away themselves." – Kerstin, interior expert.
Choose simple children's furniture, then bring colour and cheerfulness in through the decor. For wall decor in a child's room, choose attractive letter or animal prints, or a first play-and-learn clock.
A little later, a small table with stools or chairs will spark your child's interest. Choose a timeless combination and you can later reuse individual pieces as a side table, bedside table or plant stand. Your child can have tea with Teddy and draw their first pictures here. Leave some space on the walls so your child can help shape the room with their own little works of art.
Brands such as Nobodinoz design products specifically for families with children, with a particular focus on sustainability and safety. High-quality, certified materials and responsible production help each piece support a safe, healthy environment in the child's room as well as looking good.
Encourage your children to help keep things tidy at home. The Tojo children's coat rack helps them feel involved and more independent, as they can copy what grown-ups do. The manufacturer's furniture range is also well suited to creative play.
3. A child's room for a school-age child
When your child starts school, you might want to consider a desk. Choose an adjustable-height model and it can grow with them until they finish school.
String's shelving system with a desk top is another way to combine storage and a workspace. It also fits into small, often narrow, children's rooms.
At this stage, the bed gets bigger too. A 90 cm wide bed is a good choice, but you could also choose a model that extends to 140 cm when your child wants a wider bed for their teenage room. If there's enough space, Tojo's "v" bed can be extended, so you only need to buy a new mattress.
As your child needs more space, you may need to add a wardrobe to the existing cabinets. A locker-style wardrobe is a great alternative: it's not too large but offers room for a few more clothes.
4. Creating a sustainable child's room
Choose products made sustainably. In a child's room, for example, it's a good idea to choose toys and furniture made from durable natural materials such as wood.
Nobodinoz's Pure bed is both attractive and practical. Made of European oak, it can be converted into a sofa during the day with rails on three sides.
When buying cushions, blankets or rugs, you can also look for materials from renewable resources. Organic cotton textiles create a cosy feel in a child's room. The OEKO-TEX® label, for example, identifies textiles tested for harmful substances.
More and more manufacturers are making sustainable accessories from recycled materials such as velvet, leather, plastic or plastic bottles.
You can also consider the place of manufacture. Products made in Germany or Europe, for example, travel shorter distances, which can reduce CO2 emissions.
Look for sustainable design too. Furniture with simple, timeless designs can be used for a long time. Colourful accessories add a playful, childlike look and can be changed as your child grows.
Choose adaptable, height-adjustable or extendable furniture that can be used from babyhood through childhood. Modular furniture can be extended as needed and, depending on its design, may last into the teenage years. That way, you can use the furniture for longer.
Furnishing a child's room at a glance
Choose
- neutral colours and light wood for a calm, welcoming atmosphere
- high-quality, space-saving children's furniture that grows with your child and can be reused for years
- decorative accessories that offer comfort and learning opportunities and can be adapted as your child grows
Have fun furnishing and updating your child's room.
