Kids Beds « 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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Kids Beds

September 2nd, 2009

Beds for Kids

Mom To Mom Advice

If you’re working with a relatively tight budget for your kid’s bedroom décor and feel that you cannot buy all of the big pieces just yet, you can still make your little one’s haven as bright and spunky as his personality. The easiest—and most cost-effective—way to inject personality into your children’s bed room is by investing on the bed.

The bed is the focal point of the bedroom, and once you purchase the bed that really captures your child’s personality or the design inspiration you have in mind, the bedroom will easily follow on the look you want to achieve. It would also be a good idea to have your kid join in the “hunt” for a bed. It’s a good way to bond, plus it helps to have the on-the-spot thumbs-up (or thumbs-down) from the little chief—you won’t believe how much time and energy you’d save in the long run!

There are many bed design options available in the market, and I’m sure you and your kid will feel a little loopy after. I went through so many options before I finally decided on my son’s bed: a platform bed in classic maple that can easily grow with him.

Not sure of what kind to get? Consider these:

Beds for Kids – Bookcase Bed

This is great for your little reader. The headboard is an actual bookshelf, so you can keep all your child’s favorite books within his reach—perfect for a bedtime story.

Beds for Kids – Canopy Bed

I imagine this kind to be my little baby girl’s future bed, as this has the tendency to look very girly. It adds instant style to your girl’s room—with or without the fabric canopy.

Beds for Kids – Captain’s or Storage Bed

These two kinds are great for storage for all of your kid’s many knickknacks, with its side drawers. One thing about kids’ bedrooms is that it should have a lot of storage. You can’t have too many, and this one fits the bill perfectly.

Beds for Kids – Platform Bed

This is modern, sleeker, and fuss-free. It doesn’t look very kiddie, which older kids (like mine) prefer.

Beds for Kids – Panel Beds

This one is another classic style and it will grow with your kid, too. It has (usually) rectangular pieces of wood framing the bed—headboard and the footboard.

Beds for Kids – Poster Beds

This bed has four vertical columns or posts. It’s often confused with a canopy bed, but this bed’s posts don’t necessarily have to be very tall or framing the entire bed (plus overhead) like the canopy bed.

Beds for Kids – Slat Beds

This has built-in bed frames, with slats that run parallel (and hold) the headboard and footboard. It’s common among antique and European designs.

Beds for Kids – Sleigh Beds

Simply put, this is a bed that looks like a sleigh, with curved headboard and footboard. This look can be classic or really whimsical depending on the design.

Beds for Kids – Toddler Beds

This one is for your…well, toddler. This is a fun bed, especially with all the built-in features like the many drawers and storage stairs. My son had one when he was two, which he outgrew when he turned five.

Beds for Kids – Trundle Bed

With the extra “secret” bed under it, this is best for families with multiple kids and not enough room in the house

Beds for Kids – Bunk Beds

Another space-saving option for families with two or more kids.

Beds for Kids – Low Profile Bed

The bed frame of this bed is actually lower (closer to the floor) than the usual. I have friends who favor this kind, especially for their kids who move around a lot when sleeping, and sometimes fall off the bed!

Vicky (mom to a 7 year old boy and baby girl)