How To Design a Montessori Bedroom for Your Toddler

A Montessori bedroom is a kid’s room that uses neutral colors, minimal design and accessible spaces to help the child play, get ready and clean up on their own. Based on the Montessori learning philosophy which focuses on hands-on learning and independent activity, the basic idea is to scale everything you would have in an adult’s room down to the child’s level. 

Want to experience the concept firsthand? Take a seat on your bedroom floor and take a look around! Imagine what it would be like to reach for your light switch, books, furniture or playthings (read: phone, tablet or TV remote) if you were a toddler’s size.

Many parents decide to go with a Montessori room because they want their children to take a more active role in their own learning and development. From the furniture to the wardrobe to the toys, these rooms are designed so that children can play, get dressed, clean up and get out of bed on their own. Plus, the aesthetic fits perfectly into a home with modern design!

The short answer: just about any age! With the right layout and safety considerations, Montessori bedrooms can start as nurseries. However, some parents feel more comfortable waiting until their baby starts learning to walk, eat and play on their own to go with the Montessori approach. 

Remember, this is meant to be an environment for learning and growing. It’s totally OK to make changes gradually as your little one develops and you discover new Montessori bedroom ideas.

Ready to create a fun, modern space for your baby to blossom into a curious kiddo? Here’s how to design a child-safe, functional room with everything they need that they’ll love exploring over the years to come.

In essence, a Montessori toddler room should be open, clean and minimal. Areas dedicated to specific activities (more on those below) should be distinct and separate, even if they’re fairly small. By keeping play areas separate from the sleeping area, for example, you can help your toddler learn that playtime is over when it’s time for bed.

While this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule for a Montessori toddler bedroom, it’s still a useful one. Single-tone, neutral paint helps create a calming atmosphere for your little one. It also allows creative touches like art, decor and wall decals to capture their attention.

As for lighting, find lightbulbs that give off a soft, warm glow. Try to emphasize natural light as much as possible by using sheer curtains to let the sun in and blackout curtains to keep it dark for naptime.

Make sure your little explorer has a special space to crawl, play, read and roll around. Set the area off with a large, plush play mat and keep their favorite toys and books at the ready in a small basket or on a floor-level shelf.

Promote a love of reading by providing your toddler with a comfortable reading area. Try setting off an unused corner as their own private library complete with a kid-size lounger and, of course, plenty of good books!

If your child can slip their shoes, pants and tops on by themselves, then they may be ready to start getting ready on their own. Set up a dressing station by hanging a mirror at eye-level (for them!) and picking easy-to-open storage solutions. To start them off on good cleanliness habits, don’t forget the hamper!

Not exactly sure your kiddo is ready to color-coordinate their wardrobe? Limit their choices to just a handful of versatile slip-on tops and bottoms for them to choose from. Change out the options once a month, every laundry day or as often as you’d like. This is also a great way to see the kinds of clothes and combinations your budding fashionista/o likes!

The main thing to keep in mind when picking toddler furniture in a Montessori room is accessibility. In general, aim for pieces that are soft (including the edges) and low to the floor. Here are a few other considerations for typical Montessori bedroom furnishings.

Typically just a mattress on a floor, the Montessori floor bed may be the most iconic element of this room. A basic toddler floor bed may include a simple floor-flush frame and a single quilt. (Minimal bedding will make it easier for them to make the bed on their own.) For a simple DIY Montessori bed for a baby, try placing a crib mattress directly on the floor with no extra pillows, blankets or rails.

The idea behind a Montessori-style bed is that a crib or a bed with high rails makes a child dependent on their parents. Children in cribs can’t get out or move around on their own, so they have to resort to other ways of getting your attention—which may be a little less than pleasant for you. Just be sure you pick the right mattress size and that there are no floor vents, open outlets or other potential hazards around.

Imagine trying to relax on a couch that’s as tall as you are—you’d probably stick to the floor. Look for soft, cushy seats that are low to the floor so your toddler doesn’t have to struggle to climb on top of them. Want to really amp up the playfulness of the space? Look for creative, movable pieces that encourage interactivity and movement.

Since you can expect your toddler to do a lot of crawling, rolling around and even potentially tumbling down onto the floor, try to keep it soft. Thick carpet works great, but even harder floors can be Montessori-ready with a few big, soft rugs.

When it comes to decorating a Montessori room, there are practically infinite possibilities. Try to pick decor that will inspire their imagination and sense of wonder with pops of color, fun patterns or whimsical images. Expect your curious kiddo to pick up any items within arm’s reach, so any decorative items that aren’t play-safe should go up on a high surface or shelving unit.

If you’re updating an existing kid’s room into a Montessori-style room, you can make your changes gradually. Children of different ages have different needs—a newborn, for example, definitely doesn’t need their own closet and changing area yet. Meanwhile, a toddler who’s gone from walking to full-on sprinting may be outgrowing the crib mattress on the floor.

Transitioning to a Montessori bedroom may feel exciting and a little daunting at the same time. With the right safety and design elements, it can be a great way to instill a sense of creativity and curiosity for your little one. Still not sure where to start? A crib conversion kit can help you transition from a traditional crib to a floor bed for a toddler.