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Creating spaces that can evolve as our kids age is one of the toughest challenges in design. Many are tempted to lean into trends or focus on age-specific motifs, but the lifespan of those rooms is short — they are inflexible. Instead, I have a different approach, one that can transition through the years. And it’s based on creativity and independent thought.
The secret is thinking of “play” as something also very sophisticated. I always lean into playfulness, no matter the age of the audience, because it transports us and fosters imagination. There’s no reason for this to feel childish, even if it is fun for children. Here are some of my tools:
Focus on pieces whose relevance doesn’t fade. Take mirrors, for instance. Watching my two-year-old son Crosby interact with his own reflection, making faces and discovering new expressions each day, reminds me of how these pieces become part of a child’s daily experience. But, eventually, maybe he’ll use it to check his hair before school. And there’s no reason not to choose something sculptural, with lasting artistic merit. I recently installed a mirror by emerging artist Amelia Briggs in a client’s nursery; its expressive bubbled frame captivates their toddler now, but it would be compelling in any number of spaces.
Take a “piece-by-piece” evolution strategy. To keep the room feeling fresh, try introducing a new statement piece or two every year that marks a new chapter in your child’s development and creates a new focal point. This might be a colourful throw — one by Hem, perhaps — draped across a bed, an artwork, or a striking piece of furniture such as the Paul Ketz Marshmallow Stool. These additions create layers of interest and allow the room to grow in a way that reflects a changing, ever-more personal aesthetic without a full redesign.
Lean in to modular furniture, which can be reconfigured and adapted as needs change. What’s more playful than building blocks you rearrange again and again? The Bobby seating system by Stefan Borselius and Thomas Bernstrand is a great example — with a diverse selection of colours and innovative concealed magnets, it can be transformed and easily extended. A cosy reading corner can become a more mature hang-out space as your child grows. Its curved silhouette hits a sweet spot between youthful spirit and modern sleekness.
Similarly, consider dual functionality. Paolo Cappello’s cool Caruso cabinet with an embedded speaker, for instance, is a very striking piece that shows just how much good design can do for you; it’s useful, but also fun and luxurious. It takes simple geometric shapes that kids really respond to, and uses them in a clever way.
Finally, lighting: it should unfold throughout the day — and over the years. Building in a number of different light sources means that a room can adapt to new activities and moods (and a growing child has many moods). Mix together an architectural pendant, a sculptural sconce and a timeless lamp — I love the Setago Portable Table Lamp — to create an environment that can switch from bright and energetic to soft and calming. As always: the key is selecting pieces that spark the imagination now but won’t feel childish in a few years.
Great design is about creating spaces that suit real life — and adaptability is always a consideration. Children’s spaces can be intimidating because of just how often they do need to adapt. But if you embrace a new definition of “play”, you can make them last a lifetime — and it’s an approach that will probably improve all the other spaces in your home, too.
Kelly Wearstler is the founder of Kelly Wearstler Studio
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