How to Set Up a Montessori Bedroom with a Play Area for a One-Year-Old: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, by setting up a Montessori-style bedroom and play area, you can give your little one the space to explore, learn, and grow from as early as infancy. In that light, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide to help you set up everything for your one-year-old.

We’ll cover everything from choosing the right furniture to creating a safe and engaging play zone.

When setting up your little one’s sleeping area, think about creating a space that’s all about independence and exploration. A great way to do this is by going for a low bed or floor bed instead of a traditional crib or cot.

Let’s see a bit more about both of these:

Another thing to remember is that as babies develop, starting around 4-6 months, they begin to roll over and explore their surroundings. By 8-12 months, they’re crawling and pulling up to stand, making a low bed an ideal choice.

It supports your child’s physical milestones and helps ease the transition to more independent sleep as they start walking.

Montessori furniture is all about making everyday activities more accessible for your little one.

For starters, try to imagine a world from your little one’s perspective. You’ll quickly realize that every minute of their day is an adventure, and some places they want to reach are inaccessible.

So, getting stuff like child-sized tables and chairs helps a lot. This might sound simple, but it’s incredibly important. Child-sized furniture allows your little one to interact with their environment on their own terms.

Also, low shelves are pretty important. No matter what you put on these shelves (books and toys), your kid will be able to get them. When everything is at their level, they can pick out what they want to play with or ‘’read’’ without asking for help. Now that’s the Montessori at home done right!

And let’s not forget bins, lots of bins and baskets. Using bins or baskets that your child can reach is another way to encourage independence. When storage is within their grasp, they can easily select and tidy up their toys.

Creating a Montessori-inspired dressing area is a fantastic way to encourage your child's independence. After all, they have to learn to dress themselves one day, so why don’t we give them that opportunity as early as possible?

Here are some really cool ideas to keep in mind:

• Clothing rack: Although your little one might not be able to reach the hangers just yet, having a rack at their level allows them to see their outfits. It also introduces them to the concept of organizing clothes.

• Mirror: Add a safe mirror at your child’s height. It’s like their personal dressing room with a front-row seat - they’ll love watching themselves.

• Small storage bins: Use small bins for pants and pajamas. Keep it simple to avoid a mini-clothing explosion. Also, let them pick one item at a time.

Now, here comes the fun part - the Montessori play area. Every toddler wants to play, and providing an organized place for that works wonders for your child’s development.

But, creating a play area takes a bit more than just simple planning. Let’s go one step at a time.

First things first, select a specific area in the room just for play. This helps your child understand where they can have fun and where the boundaries are. Make sure there’s plenty of open floor space. Kids need room to move around and let their imaginations run wild.

We also recommend adding a soft rug or play mat to define the play area. It creates a cozy spot for your child to sit and play comfortably. Plus, it’s great for softening those occasional tumbles.

And for the most important part - Montessori toys. There’s a whole bunch of options you can choose from here. We’ll present a few:

You can’t imagine a play area for a one-year-old without having building blocks, really. This toy is perfect for them to learn to focus and to develop a better way of solving problems. Each type of block has a specific palace where it goes, and that’s its beauty.

Your little one will get their hands busy trying to fit everything where it goes, and by doing that, they’ll practice fine motor skills. And to top it off, this toy will keep them occupied for quite some time.

If you notice that your kid has a knack for putting things in their place in order, then these wooden puzzles are the best choice. This Montessori toy focuses on developing problem-solving, patience, and memory in children.

Every time your kid plays with these puzzles, they will engage small muscles and try to fit everything where it belongs. Best part? This toy promotes purposeful learning with zero screen time, and by practicing this type of play, they’ll improve their cognitive skills. 

Another great way to make the play area a proper place for fun and learning is by adding a soft book. This toy is all about sensory play with pages featuring different textures, colors, and even sounds.

Moreover, this book is wonderful for bedtime stories. Cuddle up with your little one and enjoy an evening filled with educational wonders.

Ensuring safety in your child’s bedroom is crucial. Here’s a simple checklist to keep things safe and sound: