A gorgeous room for any toddler and their dog

Make the transition from cot to big bed fun and exciting with this dog-themed toddler room.

Art direction + Styling Vanessa Nouwens
Photography Wendy Fenwick 

Transitioning to a toddler bed is an important time in your little one’s life. They have graduated from a cot to a big kid’s bed and are likely just getting to know their own space for the first time.

Even though they’re still young, getting your toddler involved with the design of their room will make them feel like the space is truly theirs. They don’t need to select everything for the room but maybe get them to pick a favourite colour or a special toy or an art print as the basis or theme of the room and create a design from there.

In this fun toddler room a dog theme has been selected and is present subtly in the room through toys and art prints but could easily be changed out as your child grows and tastes change.

In terms of furniture, it’s important to get pieces for the room that will see your child through various ages without feeling like you need to update every few years. A king single bed is an ideal option if you have the room, and a bedside cabinet and chest of drawers are essential and practical for storing clothes, books and toys. We opted for furniture in a stunning powder blue colour from Mocka. The colour is then repeated throughout the room in the wall and bedding. Linking colours throughout the room will make it feel balanced, so keep this in mind.

The colours in the dog prints were used throughout the room in the way of furniture, bedding, décor and door colour. While the rest of the room is fairly neutral with the lower half of the wall and floor in Resene Alabaster there is a little more fun up top with a blue top wall in Resene Spindle. To add some interest to the shelf wall we added a simple stripe detail in Resene Spindle and Lone Ranger. The stripe is 8 cm thick and 15 cm in length. To achieve this we used painters masking tape. 

In terms of bedding and décor, a rug helps to tie a room together and is also handy for floor play. Make sure bedding is cosy and comforting. Linen is a great bedding option as it keeps you cool in summer and snug in winter. It also has a nice casual feel and look to it which is great for a kids' room.

Betti Bobbin Tallboy, $419.99, mocka.co.nz. 'Play is the work of a child' banner, $59.95, littlewhimsy. co.nz. Round storage boxes on chest of drawers in Resene Quarter Doeskin and Resene Lone Ranger.

Lighting in any room is important, when playing be sure there’s plenty of overhead light and natural light so your toddler can see what they’re doing and for bedtime, a bedside light is great and can help them unwind at night before sleep. While your toddler may not be reading on their own just yet, encouraging them is easy when they have a designated reading nook. Pick a corner of their room or an unused space and add a cosy chair that ties into the theme of the room. Books can be stored in a storage crate or be displayed on a shelf. Whatever the colour scheme or theme you decide on, remember to have fun creating a space for your little one!

 Background in Resene Alabaster with Resene Spindle and Resene Loan Ranger Stripe detail. Drawcards in Resene Spindle, Resene Lone Ranger, Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Half Alabaster and Resene Quarter Doeskin. Notebook painted in Resene Half Spindle Round bead top storage box in Resene Lone Ranger with Resene Quarter Doeskin, resene.co.nz/colorshops. Jellycat Book: Otto the Loyal Long Dog, $41.50, and Imani Collective Cool Pennant, $29.50, both from littlewhimsy.co.nz; Vintage Washed Linen Cushion in belgian desert check, $99.99, adairs.co.nz; Wooden camera, stylist own. 

POT SIDE TABLE

A little table next to a reading chair will always come in handy. To coordinate with the room's scheme we made this side table using a large plant pot and a smaller one to go on top (ours were from Kmart) plus a round piece of wood (ours was from Mitre 10). We painted the bottom pot in Resene Quarter Doeskin then the smaller pot in Resene Lone Ranger and the wooden round top in Resene Half Spindle. We then glued the pieces together to make the table. Very simple and very effective.

Above image: Tash Swivel Occasional Chair in boucle, $899, danskemobler.co.nz; Nana Huchy Max the Dog, $58, littlewhimsy.co.nz; Kobie Cotton Blend Striped Rug, $129.99, mocka.co.nz.

NAME SIGN

Kids love seeing their name in their room so why not save some money and make their own name sign? You will need an mdf round placemat, string, and some wooden letters. We painted the placemat in Resene Lone Ranger, the wooden letters in Resene Spindle, and the wooden star in Resene Quarter Doeskin. Using clear craft glue we glued the letters and star onto the placemat and then using a staple gun, stapled a piece of black and white twine. You could hang above their bed or on their door.

CHALKBOARD

Toddlers love a chalkboard and the good thing is they are easy to make. If you have a large poster or picture frame you aren’t using at home or you opt to buy an inexpensive one simply remove the glass so you just have the back board and the frame. Paint the board on the back of the frame in Resene Chalkboard paint. Paint the frame in Resene Half Spindle. Insert the board back into the frame and voilà, instant chalkboard! The kids will love this. You can lean it on the floor or hang it on the wall.

Above image: Small black bobble plant pot in Resene Bokara Grey. Pencil pot in Resene Bokara Grey. Chalkboard frame in Resene Spindle and backboard in Resene Blackboard paint, resene.co.nz/colorshops. Imani Collective Long Live Boyhood Banner, $59.95, littlewhimsy.co.nz. Dog with sunglasses art print, and books, stylists own.

Top image: Floor in Resene Half Alabaster. Door in Resene Lone Ranger. Top part of wall in Resene Spindle. Lower shelf wall in Resene Half Alabaster with Resene Lone Ranger and Spindle stripes. Bench Seat in Resene Bokara Grey. Bedside lamp in Resene Quarter Doeskin. Plant pot with plant in Resene Quarter Doeskin. Toy box on wheels in Resene Half Spindle. 'Dog on scooter' canvas in Resene Spindle with Resene Bokara Grey Frame. Zack Name sign in Resene Lone Ranger with letters in Resene Spindle and star in Quarter Doeskin. Books in Resene Quarter Doeskin, Resene Lone Ranger and Resene Half Spindle, resene.co.nz/colorshops. King Single Linen Duvet Cover in pinstripes, $189, and Standard Single Pillowcase in powder blue, $32, both from foxtrothome.co.nz; Cotton & Sweets Star Cushion in boho mix white, $69.95, Cool Pennant, $29.50, Black Kiko+ Wooden Play Phone, $104.50, and Nana huchy Boots the Dog in black and white, $64, all from littlewhimsy.co.nz; Greenwich Boucle Cushion in black, $94.99, and Vintage Washed Linen Cushion in belgian desert check, $99.99, adairs.co.nz; Betti Bobbin Bedside Table in ice blue, $179.99, mocka.co.nz; Blue Linen Throw, $69.99, hm.com; Lamp, bench seat, sausage dog, dog print, all stylist's own.