Style | Using Natural Fibres To Style Children's Rooms

Designing your child's room or nursery can be an exciting time, as it allows you to create a space that reflects their personalities while providing a nurturing, cosy, and functional environment. The process however involves more than just arranging furniture and choosing colours; it's about creating an environment that supports their growth, imagination and well-being. 

Including a balance of natural materials, neutral tones and textures will help to make a child’s room feel like a sanctuary for relaxation and play. These elements also have the remarkable ability to stimulate the senses through visual and tactile sensory experiences while fostering a connection to the beauty of the world around us. They also help to create an organic, natural aesthetic that transcends trends while a neutral palette offers a foundation that can be easily adapted as your child grows. In this journal post, we explore how you can create a child’s room or nursery by styling with neutral tones and woven texture through the use of natural fibre textiles, baskets, wall art and rugs.

EMBRACING NATURAL MATERIALS

Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool and bamboo provide a soothing touch and softness in a child’s room. When used for bedding, curtains, cushions, blankets and crib sheets, these fibres add a lovely tactile element at the same time enhancing the little one’s comfort.

Firmer natural materials such as timber, jute, seagrass, rattan and palm fibre can be incorporated through furniture and decorative pieces and work beautifully when layered together with natural textiles. These materials are typically sourced sustainably and are kinder on the environment compared to synthetic alternatives, so they are not only an aesthetic choice for your child’s room, they will also help you to minimise your environmental impact. As an added bonus, these materials are often *non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals, ensuring a safe environment for children to play and explore (*check product label or description).

NEUTRAL TONES FOR CALMNESS

A soothing palette of neutral tones such as soft whites, gentle greys and muted pastels mixed with the warm hues of natural woven materials, creates a sense of calmness in a nursery or child’s room. These tones contribute to a peaceful atmosphere, allowing the child to feel secure, while promoting relaxation and sleep. 

Another benefit of using neutral tones is their timeless appeal that transcends trends. Neutrals provide a versatile backdrop that can easily adapt as your child grows, allowing for easy changes in decor and themes without major renovations. Neutral tones are also gender-neutral, making them a popular choice for parents who prefer a unisex or inclusive aesthetic. 

TEXTURES THAT ENGAGE THE SENSES

Incorporating various textures throughout a child’s room or nursery stimulates the senses and promotes exploration. Items featuring handwoven textures made from materials such as jute, seagrass and palm fibre bring an organic and nature-inspired aesthetic to the space. They also introduce visual interest and depth to a room. The intricate weaves, patterns and natural variations in colour and texture serve as eye-catching focal points, adding personality and contributing to a visually stimulating environment for children.

The tactile nature of handwoven materials will also provide an opportunity to engage a child's senses. Soft and plush textiles like wool or cotton provide a gentle touch, while handwoven items with varying natural textures provide opportunities for exploration and sensory development. Be sure to include a mix of textures to create sensory-rich experiences for your little one and enhance their tactile awareness.

WOVEN BASKETS FOR PRACTICAL STORAGE

To maintain a nurturing and calm space for parents and children alike, a child’s room needs to function well. Handwoven baskets provide a practical storage solution, helping to keep toys, books, and other items neatly organised. Versatile and portable, baskets also offer easy accessibility to items stored inside them. Unlike traditional closed storage units, they allow children to see and reach their belongings without difficulty. This accessibility encourages independent play and fosters a sense of responsibility as children can take out and put away their toys themselves. They can be easily moved around the room or carried to other areas of the house, facilitating easy cleanups and creating flexible storage solutions.

Handwoven baskets made from natural materials will add warmth and textural interest to a child’s room. Mixing a variety of sizes and weaves for different purposes throughout the room will create a beautiful earthy aesthetic. Place small baskets on open shelves, on top of drawers or next to the change table to hold smaller grooming items and store collections of smaller toys such as cars and wooden or animal miniatures; use medium-sized baskets on the floor or low shelving for books and games and larger baskets for bulkier toys, dress-ups and to old worn clothes. 

Tip: Place cushions, throws and books in a basket by an armchair or bed to make cuddles, reading time and playing on the floor a little more comfortable for everyone.

NATURAL FIBRE WALL ART & DECORATION

Hanging natural fibre wall art, such as macrame or handwoven pieces, adds visual interest, texture and an element of storytelling to a child’s room or nursery. Featuring interesting patterns, textures and playful shapes, these art pieces can captivate your child's imagination, creating both a focal and a talking point. These beautiful pieces, crafted from materials such as jute and seagrass, bring a sense of warmth and earthiness to the room. Depending on the size of the room, a large wall hanging will make a bold textural statement or it might be more suitable for your space to group two or three smaller pieces together on a wall. 

If your space doesn’t allow for larger wall art, consider hanging smaller decorative pieces made of natural woven fibres such as grass tassels and jute garlands. Versatile and lightweight, they can be hung with removable adhesive hooks and moved around the room to keep things interesting for your child.  If you have hooks or a coat rack in the space, another great way to achieve the natural aesthetic is to hang coats or dress-ups on jute coat hangers to add a subtle element of woven fibres to the room.  

JUTE RUGS FOR COMFORTABLE PLAY

Although our jute rugs have a natural and textured appearance, they are soft to the touch, making them suitable for little ones to crawl, sit, or play on. Cosy and warm underfoot, these rugs create a welcoming and comfortable surface for children to play and explore. The textural touch of handwoven natural fibres provides a sensory experience and offers a sense of grounding. Our jute rugs are available in various textures and designs, ranging from chunky weaves to intricate patterns and their warm, earthy tones will complement a natural aesthetic in a space. 

Jute rugs also provide the added advantage of a surface that can help absorb sound and reduce noise levels in the room. This feature is beneficial for creating a calm and peaceful environment, especially during nap or bedtime. Made with natural fibres, they are also an eco-friendly and healthy choice for a child's room. Known for their durability and resilience, jute rugs are ideal for high-traffic areas, able to withstand active play and are less likely to show wear and tear over time.

By intentionally designing your child’s room or nursery with these natural elements, you can create a calm and nurturing haven for your child, promoting their well-being, providing sensory experiences and creating a true sanctuary for relaxation and play.