The Complete Guide to Fun & Functional Kids' Bedroom Furniture
A space all their own.
The best thing about kids' bedrooms is that you can really think outside the box with them - adding bursts of bright colours, cheery characters and lots of fun yet functional furniture to play and learn with. Create your kids' own little haven by reading our guide to the most important elements - the furniture.
Things to Consider
Longevity: How much you're looking to spend on a piece of kids' furniture depends on how old your child is, or in other words, how long it'll take them to grow out of it. For example, if you're a one-child household, a toddler bed won't get used for long, so you may wish to spend less on it, but then splurge on a regular bed when they're ready, as they'll make use of that for years.
Room Size: As always, measure the room before buying any furniture. Consider the ceiling height, particularly if you're looking at bunk beds or a loft-style bed (these styles are efficient space-savers in rooms with smaller square footage).
Younger children's rooms might need more area to play. A cot or twin bed will take up less room providing more available floor space. For an older child, having a larger bed and a desk for homework in lieu of extra floor space may work best.
If your child's over the age of two, odds are they're ready for their own room as well as their own bed. While many parents of children this age might lean towards convertible furniture (such as a cot that converts into a toddler bed), by the time children start identifying their own style and preferences these might not be the kinds of furniture they enjoy.
Finding Their Style
Anything goes when it comes to kids' rooms. Some kids love colour, some might love a traditional look; they might be going through an all-pink phase or have loads of books or toys to keep tidy. A good option is to stick with clean, simple designs in wood, as these pieces are easy to change and customise (using wall stickers or paint) as they grow older and their tastes change.
Another stylish option is contrasting darker woods like mahogany against whites and pale, pastel colours. Mahogany is a shade that never goes out of style, so it's easy to transform a room like this using rugs, posters, bedspreads, blankets and lights as they grow and their tastes change.
And keep in mind - even the most stylised or colourful kids' bedroom sets can be customised over time, so don't shy away from brightly-coloured pieces. If you love pops of colour but want to play it safe, try a wooden bed with bright bedside tables and storage or a wooden table with colourful chairs or beanbags.
Children's rooms often have to be multi-purpose, needing space for playing, sleeping, chilling, working and having friends over (phew!). Bunk beds with built-in drawers, desks, and bookshelves are a great solution for this, and high sleeper beds have an area under the bed open for creating a workspace or toy cleanup area (or of course, for building dens).
Children have very different needs for their furniture. A child who enjoys reading, for example, might wish for a cosy space with a special chair or bean bag. Or, a child who loves to draw, colour, or write might want a desk If they've got lots of toys, or they're sharing with a brother or sister, then storage will be key, too. Luckily, we've got plenty - from handy bookcases to toy boxes and storage units.
Children's Bed Types
Apart from being the most important piece in a bedroom, children's beds are one of the areas that they can really express their personality. Most beds have coordinating or matching pieces you can mix and match depending on the size of the room, too.
Metal Frame Beds: These are often lightweight, so they're easy to move from room to room, and have a really stylish, vintage-inspired look to them.
Captain's Beds: A space-saving style, these feature drawers for clothing or toys underneath the mattress area. Some beds have two stacks of drawers and others just one. Some captain's beds also have a shelving unit as a headboard, adding to the available storage.
Themed Beds: Just as you might think, these are beds with a theme! If you haven't looked recently, everything from race cars and vehicles to animals are available. They can be made out of everything from plastic to wood or board. If your child has difficulty sleeping, a themed bed might make them feel more comforted and look forward to going to sleep.
High Sleeper: As mentioned, high sleeper or loft beds give lots of space underneath for working, playing and storage. These are good space-saving options and a good choice for take a child from toddler to teen. More often than not, you'll have to buy furniture to go underneath, though some high sleeper beds include integrated cupboards and drawers for a good value option.
Bunk Beds: A popular choice for children, bunk beds have one bed up top, accessible by a ladder and another down below. Bunks can have two twins, or a twin and a double. The double can be parallel to the twin or designed in an L-shape.
Tip: Searching for more ideas and inspiration? Then take a look at:
- Creating a Fun and Tidy Space for Kids
- How to Create a Timeless Children’s Bedroom
- Helping Your Little Ones Sleep in Their First Toddler Bed
