Interior design is an important element for all child care centers. Keep reading for 5 interior design tips for your child care facility.
P.T. Barnum the showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus once said, “To me, there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children.” These thoughts should inspire the highest of ideas when designing a child care facility.
This short guide may inspire you to look deeper into interior design. For now, read on for five interior design tips for your child care facility.
1) Not Just Toys and Bright Colors
If you are starting a child care facility interior design project with the idea that it’s about having colorful walls and furniture and lots of toys, you are missing something. It’s like saying the people who work in childcare are just there to stop the kids from killing each other. Everything you do in childcare is about creating an environment for learning, development, safety, and security.
Your first tip is to think about what the design goals are and what the purpose of the facility is. Make your design decisions serve that end.
2) Create Zones
Create zones in the facility for different activities and make design decisions to support that activity. The entrance should be welcoming. Children’s cubby areas should cope with busy pick up times and have age and size appropriate cubbies.
Other storage areas should work to keep classroom areas clutter free. Have a quiet area which is low on visual noise as well as sound. Use soft materials and less busy color schemes.
Have age-specific zones so diaper changing, napping, and activities can be separated. Use colors and physical barriers to identify the different zones.
3) Use Child-Friendly Furniture
Your furniture must be first and foremost safe for the age of children who will use it. Consult a vendor that specializes in children’s furniture. Rounded edges, lower heights, and safe coatings are not generally found on standard furniture.
Furniture can be used to separate zones and create corners and quiet spaces where there were none. Specialized furniture also makes cleaning and hygiene easier with wipe-down surfaces.
4) Plan Outdoor and Indoor Together
Don’t plan the interior design without considering how this space will relate to any outdoor area. This is about practicality as much as aesthetics.
How will children access the outside space securely and safely? Issues with doors, control of the movement of children from inside to outside and outside to inside will need to be addressed.
How will children get their outdoor clothes and shoes if needed? What arrangements can be made to take account of the impact of weather on heating and air conditioning?
5) Use a Specialist Architect or Designer
Using an expert will mean you can incorporate your ideas and those of your parents and children. Independent professional advice will challenge your assumptions, provide inspiration and incorporate practicality.
A design professional is also able to ensure that licensing standards and regulations are followed.
Child Care Facility Interior Design can be an enjoyable project with the appropriate professional help and some investment of time, you can create a child-centered environment. This will help create P. T. Barnum’s dream of “smiling, bright-eyed, happy children.”
To learn more about what a professional design service can provide find out about us today!
-This article was written by Rebecca Calbert.
Rebecca is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience. She owns and operates an architectural firm, Calbert Design Group, and educates her clients through the commercial real estate development process with online content at SaveOnBuilding.com. Rebecca’s “purpose” is to educate small business owners and protect them from what they don’t know.
Designing a Child Care Center That Inspires: 5 Interior Design Tips
P.T. Barnum, the legendary showman, once said, “To me, there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children.” It’s a sentiment that should guide every decision when designing a child care facility. Because when you think about it, creating a space for young children is a bit like planning a circus—there’s excitement, energy, and, yes, the occasional chaos. But beneath it all, there’s also an art, a structure, and a purpose.
So, how do you design a space that’s not just safe and functional but also sparks joy, learning, and development? You need more than just a splash of color and a pile of toys. Let’s talk about how to create an environment where kids thrive and parents feel confident. Here are five key design tips to get you started.
1) More Than Just Toys and Bright Colors
If you think designing a child care center is just about painting the walls in rainbow hues and filling the room with toys, you’re missing the point. It’s like saying that the role of a teacher is just to keep kids from tearing each other apart. Child care design is about creating an environment that encourages learning, development, safety, and security.
Start by asking yourself: What is the purpose of this space? Is it to nurture creativity, foster cooperation, or promote calm? Every design choice, from the furniture to the layout, should serve that purpose. Bright colors and toys can play their part, but they’re just the surface. Your design should inspire the curiosity and comfort children need to grow.
2) Create Zones with Purpose
Think of your child care center as a world within itself, with different zones for different activities. The entrance is your welcome mat, signaling to children (and their parents) that this is a safe and inviting space. Cubbies, for instance, aren’t just for storage—they help ease the chaos of pick-up and drop-off times by giving each child their own special space.
Inside, create age-specific zones that cater to different developmental stages. Diaper changing, nap time, and active play should each have their own distinct area. Use color, furniture, and soft barriers to create these zones so children understand where play happens, where quiet time begins, and where they can simply be still. A quiet reading corner, for example, might have muted tones and soft furnishings, while a lively art zone could be splashed with vibrant colors. Design becomes a way to guide their behavior, without having to say a word.
3) Child-Friendly Furniture Isn’t Optional
Not all furniture is created equal—especially when it comes to children. You wouldn’t set up your own office with furniture that’s uncomfortable or impractical, so why do that to a room full of toddlers? Safety is the first priority. Rounded edges, lower heights, and easy-to-clean surfaces are a must.
Furniture isn’t just for sitting—it can be used to create cozy nooks or divide a room into different activity areas. And here’s where a specialized vendor comes in. Standard furniture won’t cut it. You need pieces that are designed with children’s needs in mind, making sure the room feels like a space made for them—not for grown-ups who just happen to visit.
4) Plan Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Together
Outdoor play is as important as what happens inside, but often, these two spaces are designed in isolation from one another. Big mistake. Think about how children will move from inside to outside—how easy is it for them to grab their coats and shoes? Is the transition between spaces safe and seamless, especially when a crowd of excited kids rushes to the playground?
Also, think about the weather. How will the outdoor space impact heating and cooling when those doors open and close repeatedly throughout the day? The flow between indoor and outdoor areas should feel natural, not forced. The smoother the transition, the easier it is to keep kids engaged—and safe.
5) Consult a Specialist
Designing a child care center is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about safety, regulations, and, most importantly, creating an environment where children can flourish. Bringing in a professional designer who specializes in child care facilities can make all the difference. They’ll challenge your assumptions, offer fresh inspiration, and make sure every idea—no matter how creative—complies with safety standards and licensing requirements.
A professional can help you see the bigger picture, integrating your vision with practical solutions that might not be on your radar. Whether it’s choosing materials that are safe and durable or crafting a layout that maximizes space, an expert brings both experience and creativity to the table.
Conclusion: Designing for Joy and Learning
Interior design for a child care center isn’t just about making a room look nice—it’s about creating an environment that shapes the way children learn and grow. Every choice you make, from the layout to the furniture to the flow of indoor and outdoor spaces, plays a role in creating that picture-perfect moment P.T. Barnum dreamed of: happy, bright-eyed children thriving in a space built just for them.
So, as you embark on designing your center, remember: it’s not just a building. It’s a place where young minds will explore, create, and grow. And when done right, it’s not just beautiful—it’s transformational.
