Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com who is currently interested in posters, art and furniture
Are you at a loss as how to deck out your living area for your baby in a practical and stylish way? Don't make your home a little Disneyland - check out this classic, aesthetically pleasing baby paraphernalia.
1. Baby beanbags
Why not flop onto a pretty beanbag? Choose patterns that work well for all generations. It's worth checking out The Cotswold Company's cheerful range of gingham and stripey beanbags (left, £49.95 each). The spotty beanbag (£40) from Great Little Trading Company is made out of stain repellant fabrics so it's ideal for messy little monkeys. And they double up as pouffes when the children are tucked up in bed.
2. Snug as a bug in a rug
Sheepskin rugs are a clever accessory for the sitting room because unlike other baby mats, they aren't covered with brash baby patterns. Attractive as well as seriously comfortable, any small tot will be happy to lie kicking on this natural sheepskin rug (£89) from Littlewoods Direct.
3. Box of treats
Instead of opting for garish colours, choose this plain white blanket box (£350) from John Lewis to store kiddies toys away neatly in the corner of the sitting room. Childcare guru Gina Ford recommends, 'toys are best stored in cupboards or toy boxes with lids rather than easy-to-open toy chests or baskets.' You won't even know those those noisy toys are in there.
4. Fit for a king
Every toddler should have his own TV chair to watch those all-important programmes from. This Lusty Lloyd Loom chair (£98.99) from W. Lusty Lloyd Loom is the mini version of the ever-popular 1920s Lloyd Loom chair. No more slouching about on the floor.
5. Rock a bye baby
Childcare expert Penelope Leach says, 'From one year of age, your child is ready for more elaborate toys.' This neutral white rocking chair (£25) from The White Cottage Company is a children's classic. It will soothe and amuse any child and won't look out of place in your oh-so-adult sitting room.
6. Designer dog
Who says baby's toy isn't a work of art? Designed by one of Japan's most important neo-pop artists, Yoshitomo Nara, this pull along dog (£58.50) from Little Fashion Gallery is made of lacquered wood and is much more stylish than a plastic throwaway. We love his red nose, blue feet, long ears and mocking smile.
7. Bookish Baby
'It's never too early to begin bedtime stories, but don't generally introduce books until around six months when babies are better able to focus and sit up," says Baby Whisperer author, Tracy Hogg. The children's version of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, (£9.99) from the Conran Shop, is a classic your little one deserves. Good books inspire children, expand their imaginations, and help them become better learners, says the organisation, Reading is Fundamental.
8. Little Library
This chic
Joe bookshelf (£2052.31) from Made in Design will delight sprogs and design-savvy adults alike. Instead of rummaging around bookshelves, pre-school children will love to see the front of their favourite book clearly displayed in this wooden gallery bookshelf (£55) from The Great Little Trading Company. It keeps books clean and stored out of the way at the same time - bonus.
9. Stylish stool
Made from moulded plywood, this 1945 Eames children's stool (£194) from Twentytwentyone is a classic shape from an iconic design duo. It will fit seamlessly into your stylish sitting room without anyone guessing it was created with a child in mind, and makes for an ideal surface for drinks and books.
10. Take a trike
For all babies on the move, this clever SCP walker (£57.50) doubles up as a trike and rocking horse. Childcare expert Penelope Leach says that, 'Once he can crawl, he will much enjoy things that roll along such as wheeled toys. He will crawl after them and learn to push them.' No need to splurge on an ancient (and cumbersome) rocking horse then...
Did you know clever decorating can create smarter kids? We'll show you sneaky tips to making the most of small kids rooms and learn how to mix kids and a stylish home.
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