Kids Bedroom Furniture buying guide

Kids' Bedroom Furnishings

So your little one outgrew the toddler bed . What now? First things first, you'll need a bigger bed and new bedding . You may also want to purchase a new rug , curtains or choose new paint colors. When you first decorated your little one's room, the decisions were all on you. This time around, you're probably dealing with an opinionated -- albeit short -- person. You've got some negotiating to do. Shopping online can save you public negotiating. It can also save you the hassle of going from one store to another to compare brands, prices, and styles with your little one in tow. Most home furnishing companies provide high quality images on their Web sites to give you a fairly accurate view of the product. But do keep in mind, these room shots are professionally styled. While they may look great on the Web site, that doesn't mean the item will look great in your home.

Bedding

A room's style and theme can best be brought out with bedding . You do not need perfect matches -- sometimes a not-so-perfect thrown-together look is fun -- but you don't want any major clashing. Style can be chosen various ways.

Color -- The pink-for-girls and blue-for-boys motif is tried-and-true but don't be afraid to try something new. If your little one is itching for a certain color, work with them. After all, letting them choose color is far safer than letting them choose furniture. Plus, they're older now and letting them help out will give them ownership over their own space. For ideas on wall color, check out Glidden's Online Color Consultant . It will show you mock ups of different color combinations in various rooms.
Pattern -- Accenting a room with patterns is a great way to enliven it without overdoing it. Just remember: balance is key. If you purchase patterned bedding, go with solid throw pillows. If you choose a rug with pattern, keep the curtains simple. Some basic, but great patterns to choose from: polka dots, checks, plaid, toile, stripes.
Theme -- If your child is a Wild West-fanatic or wants to be a Princess, you may want to invest in a specific motif. Remember, however, kids outgrow these phases. So if you don't have the means for another makeover in just a few years, you may consider sticking to a color scheme or pattern. If you're okay with the possibility of another makeover, some fun ideas for a kid's room: sports, storybook characters, flowers, fairies, outer space.

Below are some specific searches for popular themes. If you care to browse all kid's bedding, click here . If you want to search by color, try our color search .

Prints

Polka Dots , Stripes , Flowers , Toile

Sports

Football , Soccer , Baseball , Hockey

Characters

Cowboys , Princess , Disney

Beds

There are various types of beds available. What you choose may depend on your style, available space, and child's preference. You can also just search for a twin-size bed if you're looking for a standard child's bed.

Day Beds

Double as a seating and sleeping area.

Canopy Bed

Just a decorative touch. Typically, more common in girls' rooms.

Bunk Beds

Great for children who share a room or have guests frequently.

Storage Bed

Extra space for storing things, without taking up room elsewhere.

Bed Accessories

A good night's sleep isn't just about the bed and what's on it! Don't forget these bed-related products. They all contribute to making your child's time in the bedroom more comfortable.

Lamps

Night Stand

Step Stool

Night Light

Desks and Desk Accessories

Promote good study habits by providing your child with an inviting homework area. Bookcases and shelves are great to fill with books -- it will encourage your little one to read. A colorful or fun desk will make sitting down for homework seem like less of a chore.

Desks

Desk with Hutch

Bookshelf

Bookcase

Storage

A place for everything and everything in its place, right? Any parent knows it's not always that simple. A child's room typically needs extra storage space in easy-to-reach accessible areas. These products can help. Remember, teaching your child organization skills at a young age will help them become organized adults.

Toy Chest

Dresser

Armoire

Locker Wardrobe

Kid's Vanity

Seating

Whether it's for study time, reading time, nap time, or T.V. time, extra seating is a nice touch in a kid's room.

Desk Chair

Bean Bag Chair

Rocking Chair

Kid's Chaise

Fun Stuff

Kids will be kids. Make playtime more fun with these playtime accessories.

Art Easel

Puppet Theater

Playhouse

Rocking Horse

Toy Kitchen

Some things to consider

Safety is key. Make sure your furniture doesn't have any sharp edges, loose screws, or tipping tendencies.

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission will tell you which products have been declared unsafe.

Size is what separates your desk from your child's. Children's furniture is often smaller and sometimes adjustable, to grow as your child does. However, that doesn't mean that all furniture is specific to children. Check out our Home and Garden section for other furniture ideas that work for both children and adults.
Durability ensures that your child's things won't break with daily use. Plastic, metal, and thick woods are usually better ideas than anything that your precious darling could decimate with jumping, kicking, biting, and rocking.
Cost is up to you. Just remember that these items will take a lot of abuse and you might not want to throw your money at pieces that won't take the heat.
Open space is a good idea in your child's room. It can encourage their personal expression through artwork, collections, awards, books, or other media.

External Links

About.com -- Every you'd want to know about decorating your kid's room.

About.com -- How to create a room that will change with your child.
About.com -- Color and theme ideas complete with pictures and advice.
About.com -- One designer's experience decorating three rooms for her adopted kids.

US Consumer Products Safety Commission -- Reports on children's furniture safety.
My Moondrops -- A slide show of ultra-creative beds for kids.
Popular Mechanics -- How to build furniture for your child's bedroom.