Stephan Gip
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Children's Furniture
Pine
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
2010s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Elm
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Children's Furniture
Metal, Chrome
2010s Mexican Minimalist Stools
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mission Chairs
Papercord, Rope, Pine
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Vintage 1920s English Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Metal
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Teak
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Wood, Cane
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Stools
Leather, Rosewood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Children's Furniture
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Children's Furniture
Cane, Wood, Teak
Finding the Right Childrens-furniture for You
When you’re shopping for antique, new and vintage children’s furniture, you’ll want your choices to fit nicely within the decor scheme of the rest of your home. But you’ll also want to create an alluring and inspirational space for your children to feel relaxed and encouraged creatively. Indeed, a child’s room can be simultaneously stylish and playful — the ideal environment for children.
Understandably, beds were the first piece of furniture designed for young children. In Ancient Egypt, children’s beds were scaled-down versions of adult beds. They were intended to be a logical size for a child and low enough to the ground so that they could climb in by themselves.
Historians discovered early high chairs in Ancient Greece. In the 6th century B.C., a child’s training potty might have also been used as a high chair, while archaeologists on a dig discovered a terracotta high chair in a marketplace in Athens. By the Renaissance period, children’s bookshelves were popular with upper-class families who had disposable income and the desire to beautify all areas of the home. The original purpose was to organize school books, but shelves eventually became integral to children’s rooms of the era.
In the early 20th century, Italian physician Maria Montessori changed the way designers thought about children’s furniture. She wrote that it was important for children to have a safe environment of their own that they could easily navigate. Montessori believed that children’s furniture should be sized for them but that it should also be made of light, durable materials so that it’s easy for them to carry if needed.
Today’s widely known mid-century modern furniture designers took interest in the idea that young children should have well-crafted furniture of their own. You can find vintage mid-century modern children’s furniture created by the likes of Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto. Contemporary industrial designer and architect Philippe Starck is also known for having introduced versions of his furniture that were geared toward children, especially his seating and storage solutions.
It’s never too early for good design. Decorating a child’s room offers the opportunity to combine elevated furnishings and a youthful spirit and can result in spaces that are at once elegant and whimsical. On 1stDibs, find design ideas for children’s rooms as well as a variety of new, antique and vintage children’s furniture today.