Getting started with childcare interior design is a deceptively difficult task. It seems as though it would be easy; just throw down some tables & chairs, put up some picture and you’re set, right?
Well, not exactly.
Young kids require a daycare interior design that is both aesthetically stimulating and functionally logical for their young minds. In essence, they require a design that is safe and comfortable.
But how can you bring this design to fruition?
Here are 5 tips for daycare interior design.
1. Keep It on the Down Low
One of the key things to remember when designing the interior of a childcare center is that kids are short. And as such, they aren’t going to be able to access anything above around 3 feet in the air.
For this reason, it’s important to keep everything in the daycare as close to the ground as possible.
Low-sitting storage cubbies, tables, chairs, and otherwise will work best for young children.
Anything placed above 3 feet is reserved solely for childare workers and other adults.
2. Use Cushioned Furniture
Kids are clumsy and fragile. They are far more susceptible to injury than are adults.
You never know when a child in your daycare may trip and fall into something within the room. Avoid furniture with sharp edges as much as possible.
It’s wise to make use of cushioned furniture such as bean bags, padded chairs, and otherwise to reduce the risk of injury to the kids you’re watching.
Not to mention, cushioned furniture is just more comfortable than hard furniture.
Keep in mind that cushioned is not the same as soft. Always make sure that the furniture you choose is a wipeable or cleanable surface to prevent the spreading or germs and diseases.
3. Make It Colorful
Kids will have plenty of time for dull, white-lit rooms when they grow up and start working in offices. Until then, they’re best served by a wide variety of bright colors.
There are a number of reasons kids enjoy colors. Not only does a wide variety of colors improve a child’s mood, but it also helps them to identify specific objects.
Use plenty of colorful wall decorations. Pick a carpet that’s visually stimulating. Just nix the black and white, and go for a wide variety of colors instead.
4. Set Aside an Area for Quiet Time
Kids are prone to becoming overwhelmed. When they become overwhelmed, they often need to seek solace in a quiet area.
Make sure to have a generally quiet area included in your daycare for exhausted and confused kids to seek refuge in.
It’s wise to stock the quiet area with cushioned and comfortable furniture.
5. Eliminate Clutter
Everyone hates clutter. It’s confusing, irritating, overwhelming, and a variety of other adjectives. For kids, it’s doubly so.
Children’s brains have not yet developed enough to easily handle the stimulation of clutter and disorganization. For this reason, it needs to be eliminated as much as possible.
Do your best to keep your classroom functions open and separated. Divide it into different sections such as the quiet area, the work area, and the eating area, and make sure those different areas are distinguishable from one another.
Proper Childcare Interior Design can certainly be challenging. If you’re struggling to set your childcare center up so that it’s both aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical, we here at Calbert Design Group can help.
Our team of designers, planners, and architects has the knowledge and resources needed to create a daycare interior design that is both visually impressive and logical.
Contact us today to get your childcare interior design project started.
-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 for Little Minds: Five Essential Tips for Creating a Functional and Fun Daycare Interior
Starting a childcare interior design project might seem like a simple task—just throw down some pint-sized tables and chairs, splash the walls with a few cute pictures, and you’re good to go, right?
Well, not quite.
Designing a space for young children is deceptively complex. It’s like creating a world that’s both a playground and a classroom—an environment that has to be fun, safe, practical, and endlessly stimulating. Children’s minds work differently, and they require a space that feels intuitive and nurturing. So, how do you achieve that balance?
Here are five key tips to guide you through designing a daycare interior.
1. Keep It on the Down Low
Remember what it felt like to be small? I mean really small—around three feet tall, where everything above that felt like a skyscraper. When designing a daycare, one of the first things to keep in mind is that kids can’t access things high up. That’s why everything in the room—storage cubbies, tables, chairs—needs to be down low, right where little hands and eyes can reach them.
Anything above that three-foot mark? That’s adult territory. Shelves up high are where you store the stuff kids aren’t supposed to get into—glue sticks, scissors, the emergency stash of cookies. It’s all about creating a world scaled to their needs.
2. Use Cushioned Furniture
Here’s a universal truth: toddlers are clumsy. You never know when one is going to take a tumble. They’re fragile little beings, and those sharp-edged tables and stiff chairs you’d find in a typical room? Not daycare-friendly. You need soft, cushioned furniture that doubles as both comfy seating and a safety measure. Think bean bags, padded chairs, and couches that are easy to clean (because kids are messy too).
But here’s the catch—”cushioned” doesn’t mean “soft fabric.” You want materials that can stand up to the wild world of daycare—wipeable, cleanable surfaces that can resist germs and keep the kids healthy.
3. Make It Colorful
Walk into any daycare that looks like a dentist’s office—bland white walls, harsh lighting—and you’ll notice something immediately: the kids aren’t engaged. Why? Because color matters. Kids are like sponges for visual stimulation. Bright colors improve their mood, help them identify objects, and make the space feel alive.
Forget the neutral tones; this is your chance to go wild. Throw vibrant wall decorations up, opt for a colorful carpet that catches the eye, and paint with playful shades. You’re building their world—make it pop with color. After all, they’ll have a lifetime to sit in beige offices. Why start them early?
4. Set Aside an Area for Quiet Time
Here’s something you might not expect: even the most energetic child needs a break. There’s only so much running, playing, and learning their little brains can handle before they hit sensory overload. And when that happens, they need a safe space—a quiet area where they can recharge.
Create a soft, calming zone within the daycare. Cushions, cozy seating, maybe even some stuffed animals. This little refuge is where kids can retreat when the world feels too big and loud. Think of it as the kid version of a coffee break.
5. Eliminate Clutter
Clutter is chaos—especially for kids. Their developing brains already struggle to process the world around them, and when there’s stuff everywhere, it’s overwhelming. Disorganization makes it hard for them to focus and find comfort.
That’s why the layout of a daycare needs to be clean and deliberate. Divide the space into clear sections—play area, quiet area, snack area. The key is to make each zone feel distinct, so kids can easily move from one activity to another without confusion. Think of it as building mini-ecosystems within the daycare.
The Takeaway
Designing a daycare is no small feat. It requires a careful mix of creativity and practicality, all while keeping safety at the forefront. If you find yourself struggling to strike the right balance between making the space fun and functional, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
At Calbert Design Group, we specialize in making your daycare dreams a reality. With our team of experienced designers, planners, and architects, we’ll help you create an interior that’s as visually engaging as it is functional for young minds. Ready to get started? We’re just a call away.
