I have this problem time and again. Maybe you have it too. I want to provide a fun, child-friendly atmosphere for my kids, but I loathe, loathe, loaaathe most children's furniture, design motifs and color schemes. For the most part, they're just so bizarrely saccharine that they seem intentionally designed to assault adult sensibilities. And, in my experience, despite lending that coveted daycare-exploded-in-my-living-room effect, they're under-appreciated by their target audience anyway.
While I love all things Offi, ducduc and notNeutral, I do not love their price point, particularly when I don't know if my kiddo will even use said $400-$900+ item. As such, I've been turning to non-baby/kid furniture items, like Huck's IKEA Trondheim Dresser ($279) and now Target's paperboard twist-together coffee table ($19.99), as economical alternatives.
With its dark finish and clean lines, I'm calling the newest addition to my living room decor the "Toddler Parsons Desk." Huck calls the space it's in "your office" (we're still working on personal pronouns). There, he colors important documents, stacks things, and, occasionally (like his dad), eats lunch at his desk. I added a Container Store children's chair ($9.99) and two chocolate brown microfiber storage ottomans ($19.99 each, also from a Target store – not found online) that do triple duty as the boy wonder's office guest chairs, stylish and inconspicuous toy storage and extra seating for when grown-ups come to play.
I couldn't be happier. For about $70, I have a fun, functional work space for my little man that also seats adult guests and doesn't make me cringe every time I walk by it.
– M.
Could not agree more with the offensiveness of children’s toys. I have a teeny, tiny living room (a teeny, tiny house actually) that I do not want filled with ugly plastic. Clever solution for some kid space you figured out.
Love it. Meara has the Toddler Parsons Desk in white! (: Now she has an office upstairs and downstairs. xoxo
This is a great post!
Just wanted to let you know the store I work for will be having their annual baby/kids/maternity sale starting this mother’s day. The sale will also be online and here’s the best part, there are never any shipping charges (for ground in the continental US) and because we’re in Oregon there’s never any sales tax! Take a peak if you get a chance!
http://www.meringueboutique.com
You have incredible taste! I think you should start a baby interior design consulting business. I’ll be your first client.
The Huck’s IKEA looks pretty good, I definitely agree with you, we must be really resourceful and find a good furniture with our money’s worth.
What a cute desk for your little one!
Where did you find that desk?? That’s exactly what I’m looking for, except in white! Looked on Target and Ikea online, but didn’t find it. Thank you! Love that little chair too.
Glad you like it, Heather! It's a Target coffee table–you can usually find them in the dorm room section, so it could be that it was seasonal. Here are some other options that might work for you.
The IKEA STUVA bench works great as a toddler desk and will accommodate one of their great craft paper rolls:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30128629/
Drawing paper & holder:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10149350/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20152281/
If you want something a little less expensive, try the IKEA LACK coffee table > the shelf could be used for toy/art supply storage, too:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104294/#/00095036
Thanks! Funny, I actually just bought the Stuva bench, but I’m not loving the closed sides. I really wanted an open table and that’s perfect. I’ll stick with Stuva for now and keep my eye out at Target!