There’s a common misconception that it’s notoriously difficult to shop for children’s furniture. To that, I can say most people just don’t know what to look for. Most parents don’t think too much about proper kid’s furniture because they think it’ll only last for a couple of years before those are outgrown and need to be replaced. But the right furniture for children can really help them go through their developmental stages smoothly. And while it’s true that children’s furniture don’t have the same usability as those intended for adults, good quality pieces can be handed down to younger siblings, relatives, or sold as pre-owned furniture. For those curious enough below are a few basic tips you need to consider when choosing kid-friendly furniture.
1. Safety Considerations
When it comes to children’s furniture, you might want to go for pieces that are bright, fun, and funky. Or you might want to reuse a family heirloom that’s been passed from your parents and now you’re thinking of letting your children use it as part of a tradition. And while style and sentimentality have a huge factor in choosing children’s furniture, you also have to take into consideration the safety aspect.
Kids have very little regard for safety. They are at a stage in their development where they are curious and like to sample and try out everything they can get their little hands on. Playtime is also a major part of their lives as it teaches them important skills, not to mention help them develop physically. It only makes sense that you get the furniture that is not only functional but safe.
Vintage, antique, or pre-used furniture that you’re thinking of getting for your kids should conform to modern safety standards. Make sure that antique or pre-used beds don’t have missing slats or come with rails that are sturdy and don’t easily come off. They should be no more than 2 3/4 inches apart. Victorian-era high chairs might fit into your house motif perfectly but they’ll need to be equipped with safety straps if you plan on using it to seat a toddler.
The type of material is also another safety consideration you need to keep in mind in selecting children’s furniture. Glass tables might be trendy but breakable materials don’t mix well with children. Also, furniture intended for use by children should be non-slip. Make sure that tables that are used for placing hot food and drink on should not be easily moved or pushed over.
2. Appropriate Material
Choosing the perfect kid’s furniture is more than just theme, style, and color. You need to pay attention to the type of material they’re made of. When shopping around at beddingnbeyond, it’s helpful if you keep in mind that furniture pieces for children should be sturdy and easy-to-clean.
Plush fabric, similar to stuffed animals, is something that many children find cozy and comfortable. Pieces made from this material are perfect for the bedroom or playroom. The material is safe, comfortable, and lightweight making it easy for children to drag the furniture around.
Wood is also another option for kid-friendly furniture material. Known for their sturdiness and durability, wood is the preferred material for cribs, tables, and chairs. Wood is also quite easy to customize by simply painting it with a color that matches the theme of the room or the favorite color of your child. It’s also very easy to maintain wooden furniture pieces and it’s almost guaranteed that wooden furniture pieces last for a long time.
Wicker is another material that is lightweight and classically stylish which makes it a great option for kids’ furniture, especially as a storage item. Toy basket and chest can be made from wicker as the construction is light enough for small hands to open and close, or drag around. Furniture pieces like tables and chairs can also be made from wicker since it is well-known for being durable and can stand up to heavy use.
A lot of furniture pieces made from canvas have been trending in recent years. The material is strong, lightweight, and stylish. They can be perfect for bins, trays, and baskets to hold children’s stuff. Canvas can be combined with other material such as wood and wicker. The only downside to this material is it might need occasional cleaning and washing since it picks up dirt and stain easily.
3. Choosing a Bed
The moment your child gets to around 35 inches tall or strong enough to be able to climb out of the crib, it’s time for them to have their own furniture. Several beds are made specifically for toddlers in mind, around 18 to 24 months. Getting their own furniture, like a bed, helps transition their mindset that they’re not babies anymore. Beds for toddlers are the perfect size for them to get in and out of bed without any assistance, which helps to encourage a feeling of independence.
These beds are usually low to the ground and can hold a crib mattress so you don’t have to get a new one for the toddler bed. A toddler bed can also be a great way to help them adjust more smoothly into a bigger bed a couple of years down the line. These beds usually come equipped with side rails to prevent them from rolling out of bed.
For older children, twin beds would be a perfect bed size. Some twin beds even cope with storage underneath which helps to maximize the limited space of the room. There are options for a more classic design like canopy and sleigh beds to bed designs that lean more towards the whimsical.
For siblings, a trundle bed that features a second mattress that slides underneath is a great way to maximize a child’s room. Bunk beds are also a great way to create amazing memories between siblings and, as a bonus, allow for more room for other furniture that they need. Make sure to check that the bunk bed has a sturdy ladder and comes with guardrails. Bunk beds should only be for children seven years old and older. Another space-save kid-friendly furniture is a loft bunk bed that includes a desk, shelves, or futon on the first level and a bed above.
4. Storage Options
Now that the bed is out of the way, let’s move on to storage. Growing children will need a lot of storage in their room, sometimes more than what adults need. Transitioning from different stages of development will mean they will quickly outgrow a lot of the stuff they have which needs to be stored either in their room or somewhere else.
A great tip when it comes to kids’ storage furniture is choosing one that serves multiple purposes. For example, bookshelves don’t have to be used just for books along. It can also be used to store dolls, toys, board games, stuffed animals, art projects, and trophies that can all be displayed on bookshelves. Bins and baskets that are kept in closets or bookshelves can be used for added storage. Coat racks can be used not just to keep jackets and coats but can also be somewhere to hang their backpack.
Beds that offer storage underneath also helps to keep children’s rooms tidier. You can store clothing that they’ve outgrown here or even toys they no longer find interesting. Once it’s time to do spring cleaning, you know where you can find your children’s things you can throw out or donate.
Bins for toys placed along the walls or at the foot of their bed is also another solution for making cleaning up easy and fast. Dressers are usually meant for holding clothes but you can easily set aside a drawer for toys.
But the best solution to maximize storage in kids’ rooms and keeping their rooms organized and neat is to encourage them early on to be organized. Getting them storage like bins and dressers that they can use on their own will help them be more mindful of their own things and where to store them.
5. Desk and Tables
As toddlers begin to walk around on their own, they might feel like everything is giant-size. If you want to give them a place to play or work that is just made for them, you can get them a kids’ table and chair. These are great places to play mages, eat snacks, or make crafts. You’ll soon realize that children’s furniture requires very little maintenance since this furniture is made to withstand playful kids. A quick wipe down of the table and chairs every now and then is all that you need to keep it clean and tidy.
To encourage reading among children, you can choose to go with a rocking chair in their room, right beside their bookshelf. A kid’s bean bag is also another way to make their room a lot more comfortable. They can use it as a regular chair but it can also be a great place to take a nap.
Kids’ chairs and tables placed outdoors is a great way to encourage children to spend time on the deck or patio. Most of these types of chairs come in a variety of styles and colors that can match your other furniture. There are also options for tables and chairs made for kids that are available in fun and exciting themes that match their emerging tastes. You can go to a table decorated with sports themes, animals, or princess.
For older children who spend a lot more of their time doing schoolwork, a good desk is an ideal furniture to create a schoolwork zone in their room. A computer desk is perfect if you plan on getting them their own computer. If they’ll be using a laptop, any kid’s desk will do. Make sure you ask their input as to the style and color of the desk they prefer. You can also suggest ones that match the decor of their room for cohesiveness.
It would do well if you choose a desk or table that is easy to clean and comes with a lot of storage. And with their own desk, you should also think about getting them a desk lamp for task lighting.