Interiors

18 Surprisingly Chic Kids’ Rooms

It's never too early for good design. These interiors combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit, resulting in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical.

by Colleen Egan

18 Surprisingly Chic Kids' Rooms

“This kids’ room was designed for the grandchildren of an especially glamorous, globetrotting, art-collecting client who never shied away from a bold gesture,” says Kelly Behun. The Kinder Modern rug and Cones wallpaper by Studio Printworks set a bold tone in the space, which also includes a bright sunburst mirror by Misha Kahn from Friedman Benda. Photo by Richard Powers

“We wanted to create a playful and whimsical room for a teenage girl,” Sara Story says of her design for this Aspen chalet. “The wallpaper provides a fun pop of color and pattern, while the textures in the upholstery, pillows and rugs are very welcoming and tactile. The contemporary art adds another layer of interest. I absolutely love this room!” The wallpaper is by Porter Teleo, the ceiling light is by Iacoli & McAllister and the bedside tables are by Tommi Parzinger. A Damien Hirst painting hangs above the bed. Photo by David Marlow

“This room is about youthfulness at all stages — infant to teen,” Jaime Walters says of her vignette for this year’s Holiday House in New York City. “The greatest byproduct of a happy childhood is creativity and that is visually expressed in my room.” The space features a cloud rocker by Maison Deux and a Double Wing Chicken desk by Guillamit, both from Kinder Modern, as well as eclectic lighting by Roll and Hill. Photo by Kalen Hollomon

Natasha Baradaran designed a custom bed with a demilune canopy in this girl’s room, which also includes a Kartell pendant light and a silver Moroccan pouf. Photo by Roger Davies

“I tend toward cheerful but sophisticated children’s rooms,” says designer Nick Olsen. “This particular bedroom sits at tree line on a beautiful block in Brooklyn Heights, so I incorporated that into the room with a Sandberg wallpaper, as well as the boys’ interests, which include sailing and basketball. The Campaign-style desk and leather armchair were purchased at auction, and the desk chair by Soane is a charming take on a 1940s design.” Photo by Pieter Estersohn

“The idea was to build a functional play space that didn’t feel inherently like a kids’ room,” says Consort, who designed this Los Angeles home. “We took it to this cool, high-contrast place to keep it flowing with the rest of the home, but still vibrant and fun.” In the center of the room are a trio of tables by B&B Italia. Photo by Daniel Collopy

“The inspiration behind the room is the obvious black-and-white graphic play, but I also didn’t want a typical boys’ room,” Timothy Godbold says of this Bridgehampton, New York, bedroom, noting that the kids “are six and nine, but I can see them living in this room until they’re teenagers.” Cross blankets by Pia Wallén are folded over the beds, which are topped with white pillows with black stripes from Lawson-Fenning. Photo by Alec Hemer

“This room was designed around the wolf print from the Animal Workshop,” says Frances Merrill of Reath Design. The space, which is meant for siblings, includes vintage cushions, rugs and a hanging chair. Photo by Laure Joliet

Alexandra Loew created a whimsical children’s room in this Long Island, New York, country home. “The fireplace mantle was salvaged from the client’s grandmother’s home and holds great sentimental value,” she says. Artist Eric Beare painted the mural over chalkboard paint. “His mural is fixed, but the children can draw and erase over and around it. The mountain range depicted in the mural echoes the Salzburg motif on the Pierre Frey wallcovering on all the other walls in the room.” Photo by William Waldron

“Vibrant and exotic rug from Madeline Weinrib mixed with dreamy side tables from Mecox Gardens set against the Lily Sage wallpaper in pale blue from Lee Jofa make this a perfect ageless, timeless fantasy child’s room,” Fawn Galli says of her design for a Newport, Rhode Island, home. “Children’s rooms should be full of dream and character but not juvenile.” Photo by Costas Picadas

Shawn Henderson designed the bunk beds in this Greenwich Village townhouse‘s children’s room, which also features a table surrounded by Arne Jacobsen Series 7 chairs. Henderson says he aimed to “create a fun space for the kids to sleep and hang out in.” He adds: “I wanted the custom bunks to feel like a picket fence.” Photo by Steven Freihon

Studio Hus created an arts and crafts corner in this Los Angeles home. The space includes a Serge Mouille light fixture, and the firm framed the girls’ artwork. “The black-and-white chest is a custom design I did to hold all the kids’ art supplies,” says Tatum Kendrick of Studio Hus. “We kitted it out with a removable box [on the table] that can hold markers, pens, glitter and paper.” Photo by Shade Degges

Polka-dotted wallpaper and a zebra portrait set a playful tone in this Manhattan children’s room by Ashe + Leandro. Photo by Malcolm Brown

“Nested within a five-floor, stylish Chelsea townhouse, this vibrant playroom was designed for a young family with modern tastes,” according to DHD Architecture & Interior Design. “DHD aimed to create a functional space that did not lose sight of the home’s sharp, curated aesthetic.” The Cactus Cowboy wallpaper is by Hibou Home. Photo by Emily Andrews

Untitled (Balloons) by Kimberly Genevieve, offered by ArtStar, hangs on the spotted walls of this Santa Barbara, California, children’s room by SFA Design. The space also includes a Jonathan Adler ceiling light and throw pillow and a Missoni rug. Photo by Meghan Beierle-O’Brien, courtesy of SFA Design