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Collection by Diana Budds

Kids' Rooms We Love

Kids' rooms often tread transitionary territory when it comes to modern design. What might be good for a five-month-old may not work well to when he or she is five years old. The residents of these seven houses found ways to accommodate their growing broods while still maintaining their unique aesthetic sensibilities (ie. not succumbing to a toy-strewn existence). With clever space-efficient structures that subdivide rooms to ample storage that makes it easy for kids to clean up after themselves to bright textiles that can easily be swaped out when the wee one no longer likes them, there's no shortage of ingeneuity in the slideshow that follows, a follow-up to our popular round-up from 2009.

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Uma has a private room just over the wall from her parents. She’s sitting in a vintage Eames chair that John’s friend scored at an auction.
Uma has a private room just over the wall from her parents. She’s sitting in a vintage Eames chair that John’s friend scored at an auction.
The beauty of the design is that there's no one way to use the space; the architects let the children determine how to use the different elements of the room. Though the desk is often used for tea parties and drawing, it can also become a handy hiding place from parents or a nosy toddler brother. "It's a house in the house," says Santiard. "What's better than hiding under a table to play?"
The beauty of the design is that there's no one way to use the space; the architects let the children determine how to use the different elements of the room. Though the desk is often used for tea parties and drawing, it can also become a handy hiding place from parents or a nosy toddler brother. "It's a house in the house," says Santiard. "What's better than hiding under a table to play?"
One wall section in the playroom juts in to sidestep a mature tree outside, while slender windows allow the kids to monitor its progress through the seasons.
One wall section in the playroom juts in to sidestep a mature tree outside, while slender windows allow the kids to monitor its progress through the seasons.
For now, Kimi, age six, and Darin, age two and a half, happily share a room and bunk bed. Kimi’s clothes are stored on low shelves in the built-in closet, so he can dress himself, and the children’s toys are stored within easy reach in open drawers.
For now, Kimi, age six, and Darin, age two and a half, happily share a room and bunk bed. Kimi’s clothes are stored on low shelves in the built-in closet, so he can dress himself, and the children’s toys are stored within easy reach in open drawers.
Teague plays in his Hiya crib from Spot on Square.
Teague plays in his Hiya crib from Spot on Square.
Maple performs in the basement playroom. The basement windows are coated with a polycarbonate greenhouse glaze.
Maple performs in the basement playroom. The basement windows are coated with a polycarbonate greenhouse glaze.