Behind the Scenes: Furniture for a Children's Boutique

We love love love designing for kids. Hands down children's spaces are the most creative, sweet, daring and just plain fun!

For our children's consignment boutique, we knew that we needed to source a general hanging + shelf system to display the store's inventory. We also needed to find baskets and bins to hold & display accessories.

IRL, budgets are everything. We can look at custom-made, gold-plated, antique, one-of-a-kind whatever all day long but often, that's just not what the client can afford. Our approach is to look at what will make the biggest impact and invest in whatever that is specifically. We like to call it 'The Big Move.' For the store, the hanging + shelf system didn't need to have a ton of attention drawn to itself. It could fade away and just be a workhorse.

Of course, custom doesn't always equal expensive: we ultimately settled on the very customizable Algot System from IKEA:

Shelves, baskets, rods for hanging...and all in a perfect price point. Plus our awesome DIY client would definitely be able to handle the installation of this herself. Done and done!

For accessory bins & baskets, there were so many fun ways to go. (Reminder: our client wanted an 'enchanted forest' feel for her store.) Here's a round up of a few of our 'forest' favorites:

This basket series from Pottery Barn Kids works for floor bins or table-top display.

Oh you have to be kidding me, Zara Home. These are beyond adorable.

Big bad wolf baskets from Etsy!

This owl hamper from Crate&kids would be perfect for holding larger items.

Sleepy bear hamper from Anthropologie

So many great options, especially for 'statement' baskets (Yep- I just made that up! Next big thing is 'statement baskets.' You heard it here first!)

For the play area, we wanted a little table and chairs. Still continuing with our 'enchanted forest' theme, here are our favorites:

A little cottage-in-the-woods table from Smallable

Woodland creature chairs & table by Oeuf

Love these little DIY mushroom cushions for an IKEA table & chairs! Image source

Speaking of IKEA, this FLISAT table & chairs is great, budget-friendly option.

Little animal chairs from Mini me! I can't handle the cuteness.

Not exactly 'forest themed' but too awesome to not include in this round-up! Via DLK

A little green rug to mimic a forest floor would be ideal by the play area...maybe with a few pillows on it? Or a little armchair to curl up and read like a little hobbit?

Indoor-Outdoor rug for durability from Wayfair

Tiny stump pillow from Crate&kids

Mountain peak pillows from Etsy. Love that you can choose from your favorite NW mountains!

Lovely dash of color with flower floor pillows from Urban Outfitters

Perfect armchair from IKEA

Up Next: our 'Big Move' for the store!

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