kids bedroom furniture « Baby Furniture & Design Ideas

Things to Consider before Buying a Toddler Bed

April 9th, 2010

As soon as they’re big enough to climb up and potentially out, it will be obvious they’re growing out of their crib and new sleeping arrangements will need to be made. When your child no longer needs a crib, parents are faced with two main choices – a toddler bed or a twin bed. Buying a toddler bed for your child can make the transition from a crib to a twin bed much easier. Purchasing a twin bed saves you from having to buy another bed in 1½ to 3 years. Since a twin bed can appear to be too big for a small child, many parents struggle with what to choose, safety issues causing the most concern. Essentially a toddler bed gives the child assurance and the parents peace of mind.

Toddler Bed Fast Facts

The sleeping area of a toddler bed is the same size of a standard crib and most kinds of toddler beds use a crib mattress. A toddler bed sits almost on the floor, which is what is so appealing about it. Toddler beds have the appearance and freedom of a twin bed, but are scaled down to provide a toddler with a safe sleeping environment. Even so, many types of toddler beds include some kind of railing for added protection and to prevent the child from falling out.

If you’re reluctant to buy a piece of furniture for your child’s bedroom that has such a short life span, buy a toddler bed that is not theme-related, as these beds tend to be more expensive than a standard toddler’s bed. You might also want to skip any extra features such as under-bed storage for the same reason.

Toddler beds are often cheaper than twin beds. Usually they use a crib mattress, so it will save you from having to buy a new one. Many types of toddler beds also let you make use of the crib bedding you already have on hand.

Other Options to Consider

Buy a convertible crib. Convertible cribs are designed to grow with your child, from 0 to approximately 5 years of age. Some types of convertible cribs need a conversion kit – check to see if this is applicable to the crib you are considering purchasing.

Remove one side of the crib and let your child get used to the freedom of sleeping without being enclosed in on all sides.

Buy safety rails for a new twin bed or a twin bed you already own. When purchasing a new twin bed, choose a type of bed that stands low to the floor such as a low-profile platform bed like the Young America by Stanley myHaven Twin Low Post Cottage Panel Bed or a captains bed. Captains beds are basically a platform bed on top of a set of drawers, but they tend to sit close to the ground, depending on the number of drawers included in the bed’s design.

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Traditional Girl’s Room in Pink and Green

January 19th, 2010

Traditional style, inspired by fashions, trends and social customs of the past, has a distinctive look that is ideal for a young girl’s room. It is characterized by a lot of decorative detail such as intricate scrolls or curving lines, carved elements, ornate moldings and the use of leaf, shell and other classical motifs. Traditional is also a good choice for a girl’s room because it is a style with romantic and feminine aspects that will grow with her (and hopefully will save you from having to do a major décor overhaul sometime in the near future).

Pick a Color

Pink Palette Green Palette

Walls Suggestion #1: Paint the walls one color from our palette of pinks and greens (from Sherwin-Williams).

Walls Suggestion #2: Paint the walls a pale pink or green. Then choose an accent wall to paint a darker color (either pink or green).

Walls Suggestion #3: Paint half pink, half green on all the walls. Separate the two colors by a chair rail, a type of molding available at most hardware stores.

Walls Suggestion #4: For a little less formal feel, select a color from the above palette for half the walls and add white wainscoting. This will lend the décor design charm and whimsy.

Pick Some Furniture

While one type of traditional furniture might resemble any of the other sub styles, the differences can be subtle, giving the room a more or less formal or stately feel. Since the bed is the natural focus of a bedroom, the one you choose will set the mood or feel of the overall design.

The Lea Emma’s Treasures Kids Poster Bed is a beautiful example of formal traditional style, with turned posts and inlay panels and a floral motif.

While the Young America by Stanley Caroline Kids Poster Panel Bed is unmistakably traditional with its intricately carved posts and decorative molding, it does possess a more relaxed feel.

If you are decorating a child’s room that is really short on space, the Hillsdale Bristol Girls White Canopy Daybed might be the ideal space-saving solution. Especially because of the canopy bed style, even though its look is somewhat casual, it still has a traditional vibe.

The Young America Isabella Double Dresser will go with any of the three beds shown here. Adding a hutch is a wise decision in a girl’s room because a child/tween/teen can never have enough storage. The hutch also emphasizes the traditional feel of the dresser.

The Standard Diana White Wash Nightstand has traditional features that are perfectly in keeping with the overall look of our little girl’s room.

Pick the Right Accessories

You will need bedding for the bed. The Bacati Flowerbasket Comforter set in Pink/Green was specifically selected with the room’s walls in mind as well as for its floral design.

The base of this table lamp is transitional or traditional. But the best part of the Mary Kate and Ashley Create-A-Shade Small One Light Table Lamp is that you can customize it to match the colors in the room.