When designing and decorating your child’s room and making a list of furnishings you want to include, an armoire might not seem like a priority. But there are several reasons why an armoire is a good choice. Since most armoires are multi-purpose, if you buy one for your child’s nursery, it can adapt as your child grows, providing many years of storage, from toddler to teen, for toys, clothes, shoes and accessories, no matter the developmental stage.

A nursery armoire is ideal for storing clothes, blankies, bibs, shoes and other accessories; even toys. As they get older, the armoire’s multiple compartments become more and more practical. Especially if it can accommodate a television or computer, this type of armoire becomes particularly useful when they reach the tween and teen years. And no matter how adequate the closet, a child always needs plenty more storage space. The best part of a children’s armoire is the doors; it’s easy to hide things away and keep the room neat. The following guide will tell you how to choose a children’s armoire that will last through all of your child’s developmental years.

Versatile storage

Manufacturers offer children’s armoires, designed with kids in mind, in a wide variety of styles, types, configurations and colors. A well-built, multi-purpose TV/wardrobe armoire will have a number of functional and organizational features. Select an armoire that will best suit your child’s needs.

• A children’s TV or computer armoire should have wrap-around or pocket doors so that they stay out of the way when watching television or working at the computer.
• Especially if you plan on using and re-using the armoire, adjustable shelves will allow you to easily adapt it for a variety of uses.
• Drawers, in the base of the wardrobe armoire or in its interior cabinet, make it easy for children to store and locate things.
• When purchasing a TV or computer armoire, consider what kinds of features, such as an adjustable keyboard tray, storage slots for discs or cork board, will be most useful to your child.
• When selecting a TV armoire for your child’s or teen’s room, choose one with shelves about the TV area. Depending on the size of the television, not only does this prevent from the opening from appearing too large, but it also adds more storage capacity.
• Purchase a children’s TV armoire with a slide out panel. This will give you the option of converting it to a wardrobe armoire at a later date.
• A removable clothing rod increases the functionality of the armoire. When the clothing rod is in place, your child can use the armoire for clothes; once removed, it makes a great TV armoire.

It Has To Look Good

A well-chosen armoire enhances the room by adding charm and sophistication. Particularly when buying an armoire for a younger child, if you want the bedroom set to last through a couple of developmental stages, choose a style that will have lasting appeal over the trendy armoire that might not be as appealing in two years. Decorating a child’s room today is an adventure. Gone are the days of yore when parents had limited choices, mostly available in basic white. Today, with all of the choices manufacturers give you, you can design your child’s room to exactly fit his or her both current and future needs.

Traditional

Traditional style has an understated elegance that is adaptable. Furnishings typically have lots of decoration, flowing lines and curved profiles. Traditional style children’s furniture is generally made of wood, with finishes that range from dark wood finishes to painted finishes in bold or pastel colors. They are often distressed for a worn or antique look. Traditional styles such as Sheraton, Queen Anne, Neo Classical French Provincial are modeled after historical fashions, periods and trends. A Victorian reproduction armoire has a fanciful and romantic feel that is perfect for princess-themed rooms; a traditional style bedroom for a child that will last until the college years; or a classic décor for a teen with discerning tastes.

A bedroom is as much a play area as a place to sleep. In addition to creating a more formal and sophisticated feel, a traditional décor has proportion and symmetry that is soothing, welcoming and inviting. A computer armoire or TV armoire is exceptionally useful in accommodating modern technology while maintaining the room’s timeless atmosphere.

Contemporary

A child’s bedroom in a contemporary style has a clean, streamlined look that is both inviting and practical. Contemporary style armoires have smooth, clean lines and can use geometric forms in unique ways. While the emphasis is on function rather than decoration, contemporary style still includes decorative elements. Contemporary furnishings are typically made from lighter woods. Profiles tend to be relaxed, lending the room a calm and uncluttered appearance.

Contemporary furniture for kids, tweens and teens is specially designed to appeal to them while being well-constructed, durable and suited to your budget. Contemporary style is comprised of several sub-styles diverse enough to appeal to many different tastes. A contemporary style armoire is simple in form while decorative detailing is stylized or spare.

Country

Country style is rooted in the traditional, but has been adapted from its original location to reflect newer geographic locations and regions away from major city centers. Country style furniture characteristically is made of wood with lighter wood finishes such as pine or maple, possesses simpler decorative detail and is smaller in scale. Other popular finishes range from milk-painted finishes in white and pastels to finishes that have exposed grains or are distressed.

Country style armoires are universally appealing with their unpretentious designs yet elegant and charming looks. This is a perfect choice for a child’s or teen’s room because decorative details like stenciling, a scalloped apron, blunt arrow or bun feet and wainscoting lend the décor an inviting and comfortable air. A country style TV or computer armoire will add a stylish touch while increasing the room’s functionality.