Interiors

How To Style A Kid's Room That Will Take Them From Baby To Tween

‘Nesting’ is one of the more exciting parts about pregnancy, especially for design lovers.

But, as every new parent knows, time flies by, and in what seems the blink of an eye, you’re suddenly swapping a cot for a bed, and a mobile for a doll’s house.

Yet, with clever furniture selection, these changes needn’t require a total re-design. Below, we show you how to transform a baby’s nursery into a cute kids room with a few simple swaps.

And, while you’re at it, discover more kids furniture, lighting, storage, and more in the new KIDS section in our Design Directory!

Written
by
Bea Taylor

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

&Tradition Setago JH27 lamp from Cult. Artwork by Emily Besser from Modern Times. Home of Bridget Ryan and Adam Slater. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.

Chair purchased from Facebook Marketplace. IN BED x Kateri cushion. Cot by Leander. Mobile by Phile. Cot sheet and blanket by IN BED. Vintage side table by Kartell. Nelly Table Light by Jardan. Play shapes by Jnr.Life. Arch Tufted Rug by Ferm Living. Corsica rug in Saltbush by Armadillo. Toys from Liewood. Rafi’s first artwork in a frame from Etsy. Mask from Pan After. Poster by Food for Everyone. Artwork on the right is by Juli Nyeste. Home of Zoe Cuthbertson, and Richard Healy. Photo – Eve Wilson. 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.

Joey Bed base from Koala. Lazy Sunday Throw from Koala. Hand printed cushions on bed and armchair by Oat Studio. Striped artwork by Emmanuelle Mc Glade. Rattan Daisy Wall Basket from Ollie Ella. Balmain Bookshelf from Koala. Beaded Coaster from Pan After.  Toy Car & Camper van from Lego. Striped red bowl from Pan After. Telephone wire bowl from Pan After. Bell Table Lamp from ELLISON STUDIOS. Striped Box from HAY. Wicker Storage boxes from Wika. Striped Bin from Pan After. Wicker Storage Basket from IKEA. Photo – Eve Wilson. Styling – Annie Portelli.

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.

Writer
Bea Taylor
28th of May 2025

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. 

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