Header: Jungmin Kim
Designing creative furniture for children takes more than skill. Beyond aesthetics and functionality, children’s furniture should spark imagination, encourage development and meet rigorous safety standards. The most successful designs go beyond conventional household objects to become part of everyday family life. The best children’s furniture does not dictate how play should unfold. Instead, it gives children the freedom to explore, imagine and create their own ways of using it. In this article, we present three award-winning children’s furniture pieces made to encourage creative play.
Keelo: Dedicated space for learning, play and togetherness
Keelo, a multifunctional play table, lets kids immerse themselves in play while inviting parents to connect with their children. The design draws inspiration from movable furniture, organic shapes, and enclosed spaces. By exploring modular furniture, the designer came up with a piece that will have different functions depending on which side it turns to. That’s how Keelo came to be. Every side of the play table is unique, introducing a new type of entertainment.
Keelo is made from birch plywood cut with a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) router. Kerf cuts were covered with sheets of ABS plastic. Keelo represents a seat on one side, a table on the other, a backrest, storage, canopy and even a small wooden animal ready for a ride. You just need to turn the table on the right side and let the games begin.
JOY-N: A building system and a hideout
Modular play kit named JOY-NT allows kids to build their own secret hideout. The project addresses the tension between adult spaces that prioritise openness and children’s spaces that are naturally inclined to feel enclosed, safe, calm and imaginative. Inspired by door hinges, the kit combines lightweight EPP foam panels with angle-generating joints. The setup lets children build and rebuild rooms, corners, tunnels and other spatial forms by themselves. Hands-on assembly, safe materials, and creative freedom empower children to take ownership of their creation.
When Pigs Fly Play table Baby and Children Table
Named after the idiom When Pigs Fly, the play table by An Truong is made for a classroom environment for children ages 3-5. The play table and workstation stay true to their name by incorporating a piglet head into a side drawer. The magnetic whiteboard table surface doubles as a whiteboard for drawing.
The design focused on construction toys and drawing tools to develop fine motor skills, collaboration and literacy. Made of sheets of plywood and various woodworking techniques, the table is designed to reduce classroom clutter. The storage space beneath the surface is a perfect place to store toys, teaching children responsibility.
Captivating, playful designs of JOY-NT, Keelo, and When Pigs Fly have been awarded the SIT Furniture Design Award. The SIT Furniture Design Award celebrates innovative furniture designs that combine creativity, functionality and thoughtful craftsmanship. From innovative concepts to reimagined everyday objects, the award recognises designers and brands shaping the future of furniture design. The SIT Design Award 2027 submissions are now open. Designers, manufacturers and emerging talents can submit their work for a chance to showcase their ideas on an international stage.
