Shopping for your children’s furniture and decor can be risky. Besides finding stylish and sturdy
furniture pieces, you also have to consider your child or teenager’s unique and, of course, very cool preferences. Fixing up a kid’s room can be as much fun as you hoped, but a lot more work than you expected. With that in mind, here are some things you’ll want to consider as you shop.
Style: Your kid is probably only thinking about style, so start there. Ask their opinion about decor and be familiar with the activities they enjoy. Maybe pick some looks from magazines and put together a notebook of ideas together.
Choose sturdy fabrics: Here are some possibilities that are easy to take care of and nearly stain-proof:
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vinyl/pleather
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Ultrasuede/Microfiber
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twill
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denim
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outdoor fabrics
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create your own kid-friendly fabrics with a fabric protectant or washable slipcovers.
Pay more for quality: Inexpensive furniture won’t hold up against the abuse of your kids, teens, and all their friends that come over. Invest in quality furniture that will last longer.
Watch the angles: Sharp corners and right angles are an accident waiting to happen. Curvy and round furniture increase the safety aspect.
Furniture that ages: Keep in mind that this furniture should be able to adapt as the child grows. The simpler the better. Because interests and tastes are constantly changing, don’t choose items that are theme-related. They aren’t little forever and a college-age teen will probably not want a race car or princess bed.
Places for stuff: Make sure you allow for storage of all their “stuff.” Kids and teens have a lot of stuff. When decorating a kid’s room, floor space is usually a valuable resource, so you can buy furnishings that do double duty such as a bookcase headboard or a captain’s bed that has storage drawers under the bed. A toy chest that has a padded lid that can be a bench is another choice that will still be useful as the child ages.
Tips for Buying Kids and Teens Furniture
Things to think about when buying kids and teens furniture:
Have a budget
If you prepare a budget you can apportion certain amounts for essential furniture to ground your spending.
Check out the options
Do a little advanced shopping before the actual shopping day. Hit the stores and pick out some likely prospects for furnishings, then take your child. Narrowing down the selections will save time and grumbling.
Read the specifications
Read the specs and presentation information completely before you buy. Some pieces of furniture are age-appropriate and they will give age, weight, or height recommendations.
Inspect
Look for things like protruding screws, sharp points, peeling paint, warped wood slats, and fraying seams.
Avoid buying used
Prices in second-hand stores and swap meets can look very appealing, but you don’t know how much wear and tear the furniture has seen until it’s in your home. If you do buy used, check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission for past recalls. When a recall happens, it can take years before all the products are taken off the market. If you can’t buy new, buy smart.
Do it yourself
Learn the difference between assembled and knocked-down. It pays to transport and assemble pieces yourself. Many budget furniture and online sellers will sell items knocked-down. If you don’t know what a Phillips-head screwdriver is, and don’t want to learn, then make sure your furniture comes assembled.
Reinforce weight-bearing pieces
Consider adding additional screws to increase strength and stability. You’ll need to inspect the frames to see if there is room to add reinforcement.
Return the registration cards
Kids’ furnishings usually come with a product registration card. When you register as an owner, you are added to a database and kept aware of any safety problems that might arise.
Study Areas
You can create a study area in a bedroom by combining furniture and creating a space that can grow and change with your growing and changing student. Here are some ideas for a bedroom study area (or anywhere else, for that matter).
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Storage and shelving
Slim bookshelves on either side of a desk can keep books and supplies handy and organized. A pegboard wall can give you an adjustable shelving option. Consider cabinet and shelf arrangements to create a custom look.
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Desk and Chair
Buying a large desk might not be the best choice for your area, or for your student who might end up working at it for long hours. Also, a comfortable desk chair is vital for long study sessions. An additional comfortable chair is important for taking breaks or for having a friend over to study.
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Lighting
The correct lighting is important for their eyes. You should try to put the study area around natural lighting for the day and allow the option of overhead or focused lighting on the desk.
The Quest
So do your homework, and get out there and do some reconnaissance. Badcock Furniture of South Florida is more than happy to help you on your quest for a kid’s room that will grow into a teen’s room and beyond. Contact us today and start with some online shopping. We have desks, chairs, accessories--everything you need. Buy a set or mix it up. We’re here to help and we welcome your questions.
