Kids furniture

Choosing kids furniture

Children’s furniture takes rougher treatment than the adult equivalent and is often bought on price, which is a poor combination. The specifications worth reading closely are weight capacity on any sleeping or climbing surface, and how tall units are secured to the wall.

Any tall or climbable piece in a child’s room — a bunk, a loft bed, a tall chest — should be anchored to the wall. Anti-tip hardware is inexpensive and is the single most effective safety measure in the category. Listings state whether anchor hardware is included; if it is not, buy it separately and fit it. This is not optional.

When choosing a bed, measure the mattress you own rather than trusting its size label, as children’s mattress sizing varies more than adult sizing. For bunks, check the guard-rail height above the mattress surface once your mattress is in place — a thick mattress reduces the effective rail height, which is the figure that actually matters.

For desks, the useful measurement is the working height relative to the child rather than to the room. Where a desk is height-adjustable, the range is published.