Nursery Primer: How to use antiques in your children's bedroom design (And why it's a good idea)
A 19th Century antique chest repurposed as a baby changing table (detail). Design: Time & Place Interiors
We recently welcomed a baby into our lives, and I’ve had the pleasure of designing her nursery in our New York City apartment. Some of the furnishings in the nursery are taken from other rooms that I’ve since upgraded. Others are basics, like an Ikea crib, bought second-hand. But, I wanted the children’s room design to have soul.
So I purposely avoided buying all new furniture in favor of sourcing interesting antiques. I scored a perfectly distressed vintage Persian rug that will easily take more wear. Instead of a conventional changing table, I found a lovingly worn antique 19th Century painted cabinet. A vintage shelving unit holds children’s books. Next to the chair is an antique French milking stool. And I came across a delightful kid size bergère chair with teddy bear upholstery — it is too cute!
Whoever said that every piece of nursery furniture needs to be all-new and conventionally made for children was pushing a marketing ploy. Antiques are more fun! For one, they have loads more character than garish plastics or fiberboard. Plus, antiques are a sustainable alternative to our society’s throwaway consumerism.
Does using antiques in your nursery mean recreating a fussy historical period room? Of course not. To do it naturally, all it takes is introducing one or two vintage or antique accents to give timeless character to your children’s bedroom or playroom. You’ll be rewarded with a unique design, and your kids will learn to appreciate living with items passed down between generations.
Interested? Here are some ideas for using antiques in your nursery or children’s room:
Hang antique prints for the nursery’s wall art
Put down a vintage rug: they’re more forgiving of stains, and are healthier alternatives to synthetic fibers
Repurpose an antique chest to gather toys
Find an antique children’s size chair or two for the craft area
Use a handmade textile brought back from travels for your child’s bedspread
Get a vintage dresser to store children’s clothes; put a changing pad on top of it
Choose a vintage bedside lamp: they come in fun colors and shapes
Pick out a fun antique rocking horse at a flea market
So, before you run out to “buy-buy” everything new for your baby room, take the cue from these inspiring designs of nurseries and children’s bedrooms that use vintage, antique, or handmade decor. They’re all delightfully sweet.
A nursery with a Moroccan rug and a little vintage rattan chair would make anyone happy, regardless of their age. Design: Alice Lund / Photo: Stephanie Russo
I already own the same Ikea crib, but I’ll have to aspire to this level of classy in a Brooklyn nursery, featuring a fabulous Mid Century chair + ottoman set. Design: Hovey Design / Photo: Jonathan Hökklo
Our own New York City nursery, with our little “Hushpuppy.” The 19th Century painted cabinet is used as a changing table (and a place to store tons of diapers). On the floor is a distressed vintage Persian rug. Design: Time & Place Interiors
Doesn’t this classic 1950s armchair looks just right in this cozy children’s bedroom? Design: Joana Astolfi / Photo: Francisco Nogueira
These lucky girls! Their super stylish room includes a Raoul Guys table between the beds. Design: Emmanuelle Simon / Photo: Damien de Medeiros
Antiques will be in the DNA of these children, whose playroom features painted Craftsman furniture and naturally made toys. Design & Photo: Emma O’Connor
An antique rocking toy and a vintage-like blanket ladder give subtle touches of historic flavor to this muted tones nursery. Design: Plume Events / Photo: Brett & Jessica Photography
This nursery is filled with patina-rich antiques, and yet it’s so cheerfully playful. Design: Lonika Chande / Photo: Milo Brown
Antique prints are artfully hung above an heirloom twin bed in a Brooklyn Heights children’s room. Design: Sandeep Salter / Photo: Jonathan Pilkington
A serene and casual children’s bedroom is proof that art and decor don’t always have to be overly planned. Design & Photo: Sanne Hop
This Park Slope child’s bedroom is anything but stuffy. It has vintage suzani bedspreads from Uzbekistan, a vintage Turkish rug, and a little antique desk. Design: Kate Reynolds / Photo: Max Zambelli
Vintage accessories add just the right soft touches to a girl’s bedroom on Shelter Island. Design: Workstead / Photo: Matthew Williams
Want to add sustainable character to your family’s space?
Time & Place Interiors specializes in mixing eclectic designs to create one-of-a-kind rooms, crafting spaces that everyone in your household will enjoy. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with founder Ksenya Malina to discuss your design project:
