What Should I Consider When Buying Kids' Furniture?

Kids' furniture can create more child friendly rooms. Little bodies have trouble getting into huge adult sized chairs or large couches and beds may overwhelm them. This is why many parents look for kids' furniture that proves a better fit and a more welcoming addition in a kids’ room or in any other room in the house. There are many considerations that parents ought to take into account before they make these furniture purchases, including safety, durability, price, and type.

Safety is perhaps the number one concern when purchasing kids' furniture and there are several things for which parents should look. If buying new furniture, it’s important that pieces conform to state or country child safety guidelines. Most countries have special agencies that test and approve furniture for children, and shoppers should always make sure that anything they buy conforms to agency standards. It’s also a good idea to look up any used, even just a few years’ old, pieces to make sure they have not been recalled.

Older pieces and antiques are beautiful but some may have lead paint, which is a definite hazard. Even new pieces should be checked, especially things like bed and bunk bed rails to be certain that they will not collapse unexpectedly if a child pushes up against them. Toy chests, a common feature in children’s rooms, are safer if they have sliding lids instead of those that open straight up, or alternately, any lid that opens vertically should not have a locking mechanism.

Durability may or may not be an issue. Obviously kids’ furniture should be durable enough to withstand the use and abuse through which kids can put it, but if a piece will only be used for a few years, it doesn’t have to ironclad. On the other hand, kids’ tables and chairs could get use for 5-10 years, particularly if there are several children in the home of varying ages. Finding sturdy furniture that is well built and will last is a good plan.

Price and durability are generally related. Well-constructed kids' furniture is likely to cost more. It is possible to buy things for less money, and especially pieces that are made of plastic may be a good idea when funds are tight. Certain pieces like toddler beds shouldn’t be greatly expensive because they will only get used for a few years if not handed down to a younger child. Yet parents might want to pay more to get better quality pieces like toy chests or tables and chairs that will be used for several years.

Obviously parents must consider type of kids' furniture to buy, and here they will have numerous choices. There are fabulous beds, chairs, couches, tables, toy chests, dressers, and so much more. Not all furniture has to be specifically made for children. Dressers, for instance, may lose their appeal for older kids if they’re very juvenile in design, and a standard dresser might make more sense. Parents might want to skip toddler beds and move straight to twin sized beds, since toddler beds have limited use.

Choice may most depend on a parent’s idea of what pieces kids should have in their bedrooms or in other rooms in the house. The best pieces may be those that make kids most comfortable and retain their function for numerous years. These could include strong frames for beds, tables and chairs, dressers, and toy chests.