As 2025 dwindles to a close, I’m looking back at all of the design patterns I saw and wrote about, and figuring out which ones have staying power. I’ve noticed that in the past year, kids’ rooms were all about whimsy: A mix of bold colors and cozy textures created imaginative, playful spaces. More specifically, one design feature has come up again and again and again: squiggles.
Of course, squiggled edges, waves, and scallops have been around for a while. And full disclosure: Apartment Therapy’s executive director of home, Danielle Blundell, thinks scalloped decor’s moment might be passing in grown-up rooms. But here’s the thing: I don’t think it’s going anywhere in kid-specific spaces — in fact, with the whimsy aesthetic trending on TikTok and Pinterest predicting that circus-themed nurseries will rise in popularity in 2026, I think these playful details are only going to continue to take over in kids’ rooms. If you’re tired of scalloped edges in your common areas — but secretly still kinda love them! — chances are your kids will love the playful, almost-carefree motif. That’s why I think squiggles, waves, and scallops will always have a home in your littles’ rooms. So keep reading to get inspired by real homes that feature this fun trend (and shop a few pieces for your own!).
Bring Softness to a Nursery with a Wavy Crib
What makes the nursery in Jasmine Kembel’s home so cool is that it’s entirely space-themed. Whether it’s in the solar system mobile or the star patterns on the wallpaper, the room is full of geometric shapes and motifs. Babyletto’s Swell Crib is the perfect wavy addition.
See the full Before & After article to learn more about this nursery’s transformation.
Customize an IKEA Dresser with Scalloped Edges
When Kate Ward initially decorated the nursery for her son, it was, as she says, “during the height of gray interiors.” However, when her daughter was set to take over the space, she wanted to inject more personality into the room. One way she did that was by transforming a traditional IKEA dresser. She added a scalloped bottom and used Maison Déco wood effect paint to give it some warmth.
See more of this woodland-themed nursery in the full Before & After article.
Make a Small Room Feel Bigger with the Cutest Scalloped Shelving Unit
Would you believe me if I told you that this nursery used to be a living room in Yulia Derdemezis’s Manhattan apartment? Well, a few flex walls turned it into the coziest nursery nook. Because the space is on the smaller side, she had to get creative with storage without sacrificing aesthetics. A three-tiered woven and scallop-edged unit holds diaper-changing items and adds some fun.
Learn more about this NYC nursery in the full Before & After article.
Wicker Plus Scallops Add Texture and Playfulness
Stefany Ovalles and her husband feel at ease near the water, so it’s unsurprising that she wanted to create a coastal-themed nursery for her daughter, Emma. The best way to do that? Combine texture and scalloped edges. On the IKEA HEMNES dresser, which doubles as a changing table, she placed a wicker scalloped changing pad and basket for easy-to-reach accessories.
Check out the full Before & After article to see more of this bohemian space.
Use Scalloped Bookshelves to Amp Up a Nursery’s Form and Function
It seems that, in kids’ rooms, when there are books, there’ll likely be scallops. Just see how Khari Clarke and Bridget Thompson combined the two in their daughter Kobe’s nursery. Two darker wood bookshelves with scalloped edges display a colorful collection of books and letters spelling their daughter’s name. Plus, they’re right next to the recliner for easy access.
Check out the full Before & After article to see the rest of this wonderful bedroom.
Brings Softness to Storage with a Scallop-Edged Basket
Another way to combine books and scalloped edges? A big storage basket, like in the nursery in Kevin and Geneva Slye’s home. It was the couple’s goal to “[lean] into texture and color to create a space that felt warm, personal, and full of character,” Geneva said. The book basket delivers so many of those characteristics, and its placement next to the accent chair makes bedtime stories easy.
Explore more of this calming nursery in the full Before & After article.
Go ALL IN on Squiggly Waves
If you were still hesitant about the wave motif being a trend, look no further than the absolutely bold nursery in Carley Moore’s home. You’ll find waves in almost every view — on the Amazon bookshelves, on the Ouef crib, and on the wood valence above the curtains. Valspar’s “Oh So Red” makes the details pop even more.
Explore more of this colorful room in the full Before & After article.
Further Reading
Create Your Own Interior Design Mood Board | Apartment Therapy
Our Favorite Toys from Amazon’s 2025 Toys We Love List
19 of the Best Experience Gifts for Kids and Families
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