Vintage Finds and Cosy Layers in Children's Bedroom

Like many family homes, our own space is always a bit of a moving target. Children's bedrooms evolve, toys multiply, and what felt “just right” a few months ago is suddenly declared “too babyish” by a seven-year-old with opinions. But even in the mess and the mayhem, I find joy in creating corners that feel considered - full of character, comfort, and a bit of story.

This is my daughter Frankie’s room, captured just after a rare (and short-lived) tidy-up by the wonderful Ellen Christina Hancock. Like any children’s space, it’s in a constant state of flux, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful.

Layering Personality with Vintage Finds

I’ve always believed that children's' rooms don’t need to be themed or overly styled, they just need to feel good to be in. Comfortable, calm, easy to grow with. That’s where vintage furniture really comes into its own. It’s characterful, often better made than modern mass-market alternatives, and full of possibility.

One of my favourite pieces in this space is the mid-century sideboard, a slightly chaotic eBay find that turned into a bit of a saga after the top fell victim to a slime experiment gone wrong. It had to be professionally restored (thankfully, not beyond hope), and now stands proudly as both a storage hero and a reminder that design and parenting are never linear.

Other details I love:

• A vintage metal bed, powder coated in a soft, chalky blue and finished with a made-to-measure valance to hide the ever-growing teddy army

• A mid-century pink armchair, restored by a brilliant local upholsterer who sadly passed away not long after. It’s now a very treasured part of the room and the wider home

• A well-travelled kantha quilt from Rebecca Engels - cosy, versatile, and perpetually being carried from one room to the next

Designing for Change (and Chaos)

Designing for children is a bit like cooking for toddlers, you never know when the taste will change. As soon as the room felt done, Frankie announced it was far too girly and requested bunk beds. Standard.

But that’s part of the joy. A child’s room doesn’t have to be finished or fixed, it just needs to support their changing world. And if the backdrop has a bit of depth and quality - vintage wood, soft textiles, well-made beds and the rest can flex around it.

Vintage is Your Friend

If you’re designing a kids’ space, and want it to grow with them (while also reflecting a bit of your own taste), vintage is a great place to start. Yes, it can take a bit of searching but the reward is a space that feels layered, personal and not straight out of a catalogue.

Whether it’s a restored sideboard, a second-hand chair, or a fabric you fell in love with years ago, those elements are what make a room feel like home.

And if you’re planning a kids' bedroom and want a hand curating something a little bit different? Get in touch!