Smart buys and a little imagination can transform your modern nursery into an engaging toddler room—and keep little ones growing happily.
Make a toddler bed top priority.
Creating a space for your toddler that fosters growth, discovery, and a degree of independence is quite a different challenge from composing a nursery for a newborn's first year. Moving from crib to bed will be the most dramatic change for your child, so scouting out a safe and fun toddler bed should be your main focus. Cribs that convert into beds—like the Ubabub Nifty 3-in-1 Crib—are a smart, economical option, though your little one may find the cozy Oeuf Perch Toddler Bed, above, awfully hard to resist.
Be bold with kids' wallpaper.
Soothing colors and soft motifs make perfect sense for newborns and babies, but your toddler will benefit from a modern wallpaper motif that has a bit more presence. Ferm Living's sweeet Koala Wallpaper motif, above, has plenty of power to engage your child, sporting lovely illustrations and nuanced colorways that are anything but childish. And don't shy away from wallpapers that aren't specifically for kids, like Merenda Wallpaper's NYC Alphabet Wallpaper, which makes a smart graphic backdrop for all sorts of fun and games.
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Include both practical and whimsical kids' seating.
Like adults, kids know a good chair when they see one, and the toddler phase is a child's first foray into a chair of his or her own. When selecting a chair, opt for practical, size-appropriate seating that helps foster important skills, like drawing and solving puzzles—we especially love the Little Architect Chair by Ferm Living. But spring for something fun, too, like the chic and playful Eames Elephant from Vitra or the Ferm Living Pear Bean Bag, ideal for sinking into with a favorite book.
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Decorate with soft, tactile accents.
Soft, whimsical textiles make ideal decorative touches in a toddler room, where cuddly pillows and plush rugs connote both warmth and safety. Ferm Living's Fruiticana collection, which includes the embroidered tropical Fruiticana Palm Cushion, will have little fingers all over it, while the Ferm Living Safari Pillow has the kind of animal magnetism to draw kids in immediately. The Oeuf Rainbow Rug, sure to spark joy in any child, is so pretty, you'll likely end up hanging it on a wall before placing it underfoot.
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Keep toy storage accessible and fun.
Who says it's too early to teach your toddler to tidy up his room? Storage that's smart and roomy, but that can also be easily reached by your little one, is a simple way to encourage putting things back where they belong. We love the Babyletto Tally Storage Bookshelf, above, low to the ground, and smartly designed for both books and toys. Small scale storage pieces, like the adorable Bookworm Bookshelf from Kartell, is perfect for displaying precious treasures.
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