5 Interiors Designers, 5 Dream Moodboards

I really believe children’s rooms are where you can have the most fun. It’s a chance to create a space that feels whimsical, dreamlike, and somewhere a child can escape to, imagine and grow. I’ve created a tented ceiling bed nook, a cosy little hideaway where children can draw the curtains and curl up with a book, or create their own little world with friends. The whimsical floral wallpaper makes the whole room feel gentle and inviting, with a contrasting wallpaper on the wardrobe doors – it’s a great way to personalise a piece of furniture. 

I love mixing in fun, unexpected pieces like this glossy red chest by The Lacquer Company. I’d pair it with vintage treasures that might one day become family heirlooms. I have a soft spot for a fret mirror, and I think this one from Custodian Antiques would look so special above the chest of drawers. It’s all about creating a space that feels magical now but will gently grow with them over time.

Visit UnsHobbs.co.uk

When it comes to children’s bedrooms, I always try to find the right balance between magical and stylish, timeless and fun, and reflect the imaginative, playful nature of the child’s age without restricting them as they grow. This yellow and blue, sun-and-moon-inspired scheme is fairly gender neutral, and leans into the magic of the sky with patterned wallpaper by Living Quarters and ‘Sunburst’ wall lights by MG & Co.

A swivelling seat like Sister by Studio Ashby’s Beak Chair is always a good idea, but I’ve offset its grown-up, elegant nature with an oversized giraffe – that choice is open to any favourite animal, of course! I’ve also opted for a daybed which can be used as a single or pulled out into a trundle bed for sleepovers.

Visit TheAllerStudio.com

This scheme was intended to see a young girl all the way through to her teenage years, so I didn’t want anything too pink, babyish or fussy; instead, I’ve gone for strong colours but with gentle tones. 

Everything works together to create a cosy, interesting, timeless, scheme. I love the Living Quarter's headboard fabric – the depth of the colours is incredible and the mix of the rusty red and aqua greens is so beautiful. Edward Bulmer Paint is always a go-to – it’s plastic-free, carbon neutral and non-toxic.

Visit PollyAshman.com

I’m often asked to create girls’ rooms and the request tends to be for ‘pretty but not pink’. This is a room that a little girl can grow into. This ditsy wallpaper is the sunniest and most joyful of yellows but it’s offset by the blue stripe and rug to stop it becoming too cutesy.  

A dash of red is always a good way to lift a space and a pinboard is a must for a children’s room – it allows them to personalise their space without ruining the walls. This bed adds a fabulous bold pop of colour and will last well into their early teens. I love rattan in a children’s room. It’s informal and not too precious and the pendant adds a soft and feminine touch.

Visit LauraStephens.co.uk

For this sweet little child’s bedroom scheme, I wanted to combine all the things I love best – bamboo, chintz and antique furniture. I’ve chosen our ‘Sweetpeas On Bamboo Trellis’ wallpaper as the backdrop, with a pretty canopy hanging over a lovely antique bamboo day bed. The pink and white stripe Cinny fabric offers a nice contrast to the florals in the room, with a Swiss Dot lining to soften it.

I love the reading light, which delivers a little pop of red. In keeping with the chintzy theme, I’ve chosen a dressing table with a pair of my favourite glossy fluted lamps from Trove to sit either side of the mirror. On the floor we have the Indochine rug from my collection with LAYERED, which I love for its warm tones and soft feel underfoot.

Visit AliceCrawley.co.uk