You work hard to make your home look exactly the way you like and, contrary to popular opinion, it should stay that way even after you have children. At Home & Texture, we believe that, as parents, you don’t have to settle for lackluster kiddie gear that clashes with your aesthetic. Children’s products often come in cheap plastic painted in bright primary colors with clunky designs that can overstimulate even the most patient parent. You and your tiny tastemaker deserve better — so tested 22 products from 22 different brands to find the best of the best.

It’s absolutely possible to maintain your sharp sense of style while keeping your mini-me entertained without becoming a “sad beige baby.” We’re spotlighting brands that are redefining children’s toys and furnishings by skillfully blending form, function, and yes, fun into their collections built for play. Beyond durable materials and thoughtful design benefiting little ones’ development, these pieces are simply stunning.

Within our curated lineup of the best modern brands for parents, discover chic play couches, standing activity towers, perfect play kitchens, and more you’ll love having on display. Each item masterfully incorporates contemporary silhouettes and neutral, design-forward hues that seamlessly incorporate into your existing decor.

While testing the aesthetic and construction quality of these children’s products, we prioritized brands that allow you to forgo sacrificing those coveted clean sight lines. Find options mimicking streamlined Scandinavian style, retro mid-century inspiration, or sleek modernism all suited to withstanding your kid’s antics.

Read on for our can’t-miss edit of the most stylish, substantive gear that grows with your tot as they develop new skills. We’re empowering you to create a flawlessly curated, distraction-free environment where children can blossom while satisfying parental desires for elevated interiors. Form, meet function.

Play Couch Sofa for Kids by Brentwood Home

Color: Emoji Yellow

Imagination comes to life on the Brentwood Home Play Couch — a six-piece toddler haven made with sustainability in mind. This adaptable play set allows little ones to constantly reconfigure cushions into forts, tunnels, chairs, and more using soft foam pieces upholstered in fabric from recycled plastic. Choose from a spectrum of joyful colors to match any aesthetic. Both parents and kids will love that it’s made greener with BioFoam and achieves non-toxic GreenGuard Gold certification. Constructed consciously in California, this clever couch promotes creativity and open-ended play while making safety, ethics, and environment a priority.

The Oslo Tower by audwell

Finish: Natural Wood

The Oslo Toddler Tower from audwell does more than just provide a helpful boost for little ones — its clever adjustable height design actually encourages independence and getting involved with everyday tasks. Made from durable Baltic birch with non-toxic finishes, this helper tower features felt pads protecting your floors as it’s moved between rooms for different developmental activities. From boosting your tiny chef in the kitchen to providing the perfect stance for masterpiece-making at the art table, Oslo grows with your child. We love the smaller footprint fitting under most counters and that Oslo blends beautifully into existing decor with crisp Scandi-inspired styling suited to contemporary homes. This tower for ages 18 months to 5 years old builds confidence while keeping safety top of mind.

The Tali Play Mat by Tottler + Tumble

Size: The Standard

Tottler + Tumble‘s ingenious Tali Play Mat arriving in 2023 takes cues from a traditional woven rug but upgrades the concept for modern family life. Beyond a playful woven ikat design, this dual-sided mat features wipeable memory foam cushioning little bodies in any room. One side stars the gradient blue Tali print while the reverse flips to reveal the warm-toned Odissi pattern. With intricate details mirroring lovingly hand-drawn threads, Tali transforms floor time for tummy time, play, exercise, and more. As beautiful as it is practical, this mat becomes a decorative focal point when not in use. Tali effortlessly handles messes and liveliness while lending softness and style underfoot. The ultimate non-rug rug built for real life!

3-in-1 Wave Crib by Nestig

Finish: Natural Wood

Inspired by the soothing ebb and flow of ocean waves, Nestig’s 3-in-1 Wave Crib makes a big design statement. Convertible from a mini crib to a full toddler bed, this innovative design adjusts in both size and mattress height to grow with your child. Made from sustainable Brazilian pine and eco-engineered woods, Wave meets rigorous GreenGuard Gold safety standards so you can rest assured it’s a non-toxic haven. Focusing on modern aesthetics suited to contemporary homes, Nestig incorporates subtle curvature and clean lines to craft furniture heirlooms destined to be passed between generations. Between its clever versatility, responsibly sourced materials, and sculptural silhouette destined to spark joy for years, we adore everything the Wave Crib has to offer tiny dreamers.

Essential Play Kitchen by Milton & Goose

Color: White

The heirloom-quality Essential Play Kitchen from Milton & Goose is destined to inspire pretend culinary feats for years. As chic as it is thoughtfully constructed, this Baltic birch and North American maple kitchen is built to fuel a lifetime of make-believe. Beyond its charming aesthetic, interactive oven knobs, faucets and cabinet doors enhance immersive play. The non-toxic kitchen seamlessly styles out playrooms or bedrooms to encourage development through imaginative fun. As parents, we appreciate furniture able to keep up with rambunctious kiddos – yet this play kitchen’s charming silhouette and maple accents are equally at home within adult-centric spaces. Quality craftsmanship makes this a cherished future hand-me-down. Designed to last through every recipe mishap, messy creation, and evolving play skill, Milton & Goose’s darling focal point promises to delight generation after generation!

Tide Water and Sensory Table by smol

Use: Indoor/Outdoor

Make a splash without the need for full-on pool installation with smol’s adorable Tide Water & Sensory Table! This thoughtfully designed backyard staple doubles as both a water play oasis and an all-purpose activity table. Fill with water for splashing or dry sand and toys to uncover sensory stimulation perfect for little minds. Various pouring tools and built-in strainers encourage pouring play while the included lid transforms Tide into a crafting surface. Leave out all summer for water fun or store accessories inside when not in use. However your child creates their fantasy beach and ocean in the backyard, Tide builds their imagination and motor skills through open-ended play.