How To Design Kid-Centric Spaces

For the littles—

—it’s an opportunity to create a space where imaginations can run wild, where they feel safe and protected, and where their personalities—and your own—can shine. Shea and the design team have taken on numerous kid-centric spaces in the history of Studio McGee, from bedrooms to rec rooms to reading nooks. And in the McGee’s own home, a skate ramp! Here, a few tips and tricks for designing spaces for the junior family members.

“My hope when designing a kids space is that they feel like your child, they have personality and interest, and they stand the test of time.”

- Shea McGee

Tip No. 01 | Incorporate Pattern

Tip No. 02 | Contain the Clutter

Tip No. 03 | Infuse Personality

Tip No. 04 | Get Them Involved

Tip No. 05 | Keep it Classic

Tip No. 01 | Incorporate Pattern

“I like to think about mixing pattern and texture in a kids’ room,” Shea explains. On the bed, gather a visually cohesive set of pillows, duvets, and sheets that are interchangeable and then allow the kids to dress their bed themselves. “If you do a fun patterned wallpaper you can still do one on the rug,” says Shea. “Thinking about the color palette and how it works together is what you need to pay attention to,” but don’t be afraid to be playful with patterns in a kid-centric space. Watch the video below as Shea gives more advice on incorporating pattern into a kids’ space.

From the McGee Home: Wren’s Room

Tip No. 02 | Contain the Clutter

“Oh my goodness, kids attract so much stuff,” Shea laughs. “I love jars and decorative boxes for kids spaces,” and you can never have too many baskets. “I don’t want to say, ‘no,” Shea notes, “I just want to have a pretty place to store everything. Storage is key. I have baskets everywhere.” Shea suggests dedicating a space for all the stuff and when it starts to grow beyond that, begin to clean and purge.

From the Home on the Ranch Project

Tip No. 03 | Infuse Personality

“When designing kid’s spaces, I like to use a color palette as a jumping off point to infuse their personality,” Shea explains. “I’ll ask them, ‘what colors do you want to see in your room?’” From there, Shea takes a few of the ones listed and finds softened versions… Barbie pink may become blush or dinosaur green becomes moss.

From the Hilltop Estate Project

From the Rye New York Project

Tip No. 04 | Get Them Involved

To make a space feel like their own, don’t be afraid to take in their opinion of the space. “I will show [the kids] a few really great wallpaper or pillows and let them pick,” Shea notes. The key here is prior curation, “I like all the options so we can’t go wrong,” adds Shea.

From the Hilltop Estate Project

Tip No. 05 | Keep it Classic

“You’re most likely going to be inspired in some way by a trend,” Shea agrees, “but I don’t think you should lean heavy into one trend because a couple years from now you’re going to be tired of it.” Stick with classic shapes on the big pieces that will pair well with a lot of different elements. After the big pieces of furniture are set, “play with the textiles,” Shea suggests. “That’s where you have fun.”