Baby and Children's Products

Unlike an adult's bedroom, where relaxation is key, a kids’ bedroom is constantly filled with life and energy. A child’s room needs to be equipped to handle any and all activities, including sleeping, colouring, doing homework, roughhousing with friends and playing with toys. Accommodating so much can be a challenge, especially when so many kids bedrooms are far from spacious. Finding room for children's furniture such as wardrobes, toy chests and beds or nursery furniture such as changing tables, baby swings, cots and countless baby products may require some strategic organisation.

Here are some ideas for furnishing your kids’ bedroom or nursery with the ideal furniture and decor:

Place furniture along the room’s perimeter

In kids' bedrooms the floor is valuable play space, so avoid taking up too much of it by setting furniture against the walls. Dressers, toy chests, kids’ beds, baby products and cots are easy enough to place out of the way, but you may want to leave a little extra space for a rocking chair or glider; the all-important nightlight should be visible, too. For safety, it's essential that all furniture (both wall-mounted shelving and freestanding pieces) should be affixed to the wall. For the child who loves to roll around on the floor, consider laying down a child-friendly rug that’s safe, colourful and, above all, easy to spot clean and wash.

Use plenty of baskets, bins and boxes for toy storage

The abundance of toys that kids play with can easily get out of hand, but you can prevent a pileup by keeping baskets and boxes handy. Wood or plastic storage bins in built-in cubbies are a great way to stay organised, and toy chests make cleanup a breeze.

Create a child-friendly workspace

Whether they’re doing their homework, painting a picture or building a new toy, children need a sturdy surface for work and play. Child-friendly tables and chairs are a worthwhile investment that defines a working area that's their own; the space can be kept clean by placing organisers nearby for crafts and homework supplies.

Using fun, child-friendly colours

Kids decor has a tendency lean towards the graphic - even if their rooms start out neutral, chances are that colour and print will find their way in there! Playful bedding, curtains, rugs and paint can all be used to add colour, while stuffed animals and oversized pillows will make a room feel cosier. Baby products and accessories such as baby mobiles and wall stickers are fun and, importantly, removable ways of bringing colourful details into a child's bedroom. If your child is old enough, involving him or her in the decorating process can be a fun activity that will let them put their individual stamp on their room.

Buy furniture that will last

Children grow up fast, so when planning their bedrooms it's important to make sure they don’t outgrow their furniture as fast as they outgrow their clothes. While you may want to avoid furniture that’s too big, some pieces, especially storage, should last throughout childhood. Despite its size, a smaller chest of drawers should have sufficient space to see them from infancy through primary school, and a single or small double bed should be an adequate size until your child is a teenager. Investing in durable, quality furniture the first time will likely save you money in the long run and even allow you to reuse it if and when any siblings come along.

Take a look at the following articles and ideabooks for more inspiration on your kids’ bedroom or nursery: