The World at a Child’s Height: How Montessori Furniture Has Changed the Approach to Children’s Room Design
Maria Montessori was the first educator to focus on how the world is perceived through a child’s eyes. She noticed that developing independence, acquiring important practical skills, and exploring the surrounding space is much easier when no physical barriers are hindering free movement. For example, she proposed a bed on the floor without traditional rails: a high bed is not accessible for a child to use independently, and a complete enclosure prevents them from exploring the room and getting familiar with it. This idea gradually evolved into designing children’s rooms and nursery furniture sets that are maximally adapted to their needs.
Why Low Furniture is Better Suited for Children than Regular Furniture
Low furniture, which matches a toddler’s height, can be used without the help of adults. A child can independently take a book from the shelf to flip through it, grab toys from the rack, take clothes from a hanger, etc. Therefore, low furniture primarily promotes a child’s autonomy. The child can do many things independently but doesn’t do them simply because they can’t reach a high closet where their belongings are kept or a shelf with books that is too high.
Accessibility Matters
This shapes the perception of the world as one where they can already engage, not later when they are old enough. Even now, at two, three, or four years old, they can choose what they want to wear on a walk, how they want to dress for kindergarten, which toy to play with, and so on. Accessibility serves a dual purpose: developing independence while fostering a sense of responsibility and improving motor and practical life skills.
Setting Up a Room According to Montessori Principles
Therefore, the interior of a child’s room, according to the Montessori method, adheres to several important principles:
- It is adapted to the child’s needs. All the furniture is sized according to the child’s height (which might make the room look somewhat empty from an adult’s perspective).
- It is a safe space where the child can freely use everything within their reach. Meanwhile, parents have ensured that the child can’t climb out of a window, play with electrical appliances or outlets, or handle sharp and other dangerous objects.
What Options Are Best for a Child’s Room?
- For toys, use drawers with wheels that can easily move around the room, and when not in use, can be stored under the bed, or under a nightstand or shelf. Such boxes are convenient for storing toys or for younger children—diapers, changing pads, wipes, etc.
- Cabinets in the shape of animals from Busywood are a great example of how a small cabinet can be both functional and incredibly stylish. The elegant designs with animals turn the room into a child’s world where imagination flourishes, along with the child’s independence.
- Open wardrobes can have just a railing for hangers or be complemented with shelves at the top and bottom. Such options help the child learn to fold their clothes, choose their outfit, and generally learn that they can do many things themselves.
How to Organize a Convenient Space for Learning and Creativity
A place where a child can draw, sculpt, flip through books, or play should be adapted to their height not only for independent use. It’s important to maintain a healthy posture, so the table and chair should be selected so that the feet are fully on the floor, the back has support, and the seating is comfortable.
A mandatory element of the learning and creativity zone is bookshelves. According to Montessori principles, these should be placed around the work table or on the floor. Moreover, vertical storage of books and albums is very convenient, making them appear as if they are displayed in a store. This simple trick makes books and interesting games more visible to the child and encourages them to reach for these items more frequently.
These are not complicated rules at all, but they can completely transform childhood for the better. Give it a try!
