All the Best Kids’ Furniture and Décor for Adults

By,a senior writer at the Strategist covering home and parenting.She joined the Strategist as a writer in 2018. Previously, she was an associate editor at Curbed.
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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

We’ve written previously about the joys of co-opting children’s furniture and home décor for adult usehere— and we’re still as charmed as ever. The products tend to cost less, fit smaller city-size spaces more efficiently, and, of course, delight in a way that furnishings for grown-ups typically don’t. Over the years, major home brands like Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and RH have established their own baby and kid lines, and many of their designs — made with rounded edges, European-influenced natural finishes, andtasteful displays of color— would work just as well in an adult’s bedroom or living space as they would in a kid’s. Some pieces skew whimsical and cheeky, while others are almost identical to their tasteful adult counterparts.

Below, I’ve scoured the internet to bring you a collection of lighting, storage, shelving, seating, and decorative objects specifically made for children that you could easily incorporate into your home. Lamps, bookcases, and storage can be used according to their usual functions. Pieces like stools, chairs, and tables are typically built for a kid’s smaller frame, but can be adapted as side tables or an extra surface. While I tried to keep the price point generally more affordable than what you’d find for adults, I included a couple of special splurge-worthy pieces. For even more well-designed pieces for every corner of your house, check out the Strategist’s newly updatedHome Hall of Fame.

Lighting

Interesting lamps can be expensive, but browsing the children’s section turns up plenty of charming options for both yourtabletopandfloor. While the kiddie options aren’t drastically cheaper than ones from a brand’s flagship line (maybe by $50 or so), I’ve found that they look softer and more welcoming and rarely scream “nursery.” Mix and match a few of them so that you don’t fall prey tothe Big Light.

Table Lamps

Zara Home Kids’ Desk Lamp Spotlight With Clip
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Humber Portable Close Top Glass Mushroom Lamp
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West Elm Kids Mushroom Table Lamp (19
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Pottery Barn Kids Bow Table Lamp (15
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Crate & Kids Modern White Dome Touch Kids Table Lamp
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Floor lamps

Crate & Kids Jenny Lind Maple Wood Kids Floor Lamp
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West Elm Kids Artie Metal Floor Lamp (55
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West Elm Kids Marlo Linen Floor Lamp (58
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Sconces

Zara Home Wood Wall Sconce
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West Elm Kids Stella Sconce (10
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Ceiling lights

West Elm Kids Della Flush Mount (12
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West Elm Kids Emerson Flush Mount (15
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Baskets and Storage

You can never have too much storage, especially when it’s also decorative. The kids’ department is an especially good place to look for larger storage furniture: Mustard Made’s versatile locker comes in fun colors, and a compact kids’ toy bench would be perfect as a shoe rack in an entryway.

Pillowfort Large Crate Kids' Toy Storage Bin
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Pillowfort Large Stackable Kids' Wood Bin Natural
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Zara Home Kids' Foldable Striped Basket
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H&M Pompom Seagrass Storage Basket
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Zara Home Kids' Seagrass Basket With Lid
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Crate & Kids Wonderful Wicker Blue Large Kids Hamper
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Mustard Made The Lowdown Locker
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Bookcases and Shelving

Bookcasescan be expensive, but there’s a whole world of fun and functional options out there beyond theBilly. Many of the kids’ bookcases I found incorporate cubbies, allowing for more storage flexibility. They’ll be on the smaller side but just as sturdy, and many come with anchors to secure them to the wall.

Zara Home Children's Drawer Shelf Unit
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Guide Craft EdQ Book Cart
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Babyletto Crosby Open Bookcase
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Guide Craft Taiga 2-Shelf Bookcase - 30
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West Elm Kids Mid-Century Bookrack (30
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Zara Home Children’s Metal Shelving Unit With Doors
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Ferm Living Slope Bookcase
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Guide Craft Tabletop Book Browser
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Zara Home Wood Storage Sideboard
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West Elm Kids Acrylic Bookcase (25
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All Circles Eight Cube - Tall
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Ferm Living Horse Bookcase
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West Elm Kids Josephine Low Bookcase (43
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Zara Home Rotating Bookshelf
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Nightstands and Side Tables

I love the idea of a statement nightstand, and the kids’ department is where you’ll find ones with just the right amount of detail, like oversize feet or a subtle squiggle. Most people haveplatform bedsanyway, so a low, pint-size side table would work swimmingly. You’ll notice that I have a soft spot for Jenny Lind–style furniture as well.

Mainstays Kids Wood Wavy Nightstand Side Table, Green
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Pillowfort Natural Wood Kids' Nightstand
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Oeuf Moss Nightstand
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Kartell Componibili Smile Storage
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Liewood Nona Storage, Sandy
Very Good Deal
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West Elm Kids Belle Kids Nightstand (15
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Ferm Living Classic Isola Storage Table
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Pillowfort Rattan Bedside Kids' Table Natural
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West Elm Kids Josephine Nightstand (18
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Stools and Seating

A kid-size stool can also work as an extra tabletop surface. The price is right on the little slatted bench from Max & Lily that’s made from solid wood. And the ECR4Kids stool is height-adjustable. Apparently the Ikea two-in-one chair-table is making the rounds on social media as a “hack”; use it as a grown-up surface for your laptop and it’s a three-in-one. I also love the idea of using a kiddie chair — as long as it has a flat seat that doesn’t slope — as a stool or side table, and couldn’t resist a couple of European ones I came across.

Ikea Småskrake Multi-Functional Child Chair/Table, Green
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ECR4Kids Sit or Step Stool, Natural
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Zara Home Children’s Wooden Chair
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West Elm Kids’ Floor Tent Cushion
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Max & Lily Solid Wood Single Bench
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West Elm Kids Miso Play Chairs (Set of 4)
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Lorena Canals Pouf Geo Block
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All Circles Modern Kids Chair
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Offi Look-Me Kid's Chair
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Zara Home Kids’ Vintage Chrome Chair
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West Elm Kids Paola Swivel Desk Chair
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Tables and Desks

Some of these desks (meant for teens) can work as a small writing surface for an adult, as they have the same height dimensions of between 29 and 30 inches. The We Do Wood table is decidedly tot-size (with a height of about 18 inches) but would make an excellent nightstand.

Zara Home Children’s Wooden Desk
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West Elm Kids Matteo Desk w/ Nesting Chair (30
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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