Furniture For Kids

So you've watched all the home design shows on HGTV and have updated your living room, dining room, and bedroom. What about the kids' rooms? What about the furniture for kids? It's time to update and revamp their living quarters as well. There are a variety of things you can do that are inexpensive and trendy.

Let's start with the bed. A nice touch to any kid's room is a platform bed. Think of a bunk bed with only the top bunk set up. But on a platform bed, you're not limited to the twin size. Make it larger so that the space underneath is larger. Set up a nice seating area underneath with pillows, a small bookcase, and a small table with a lamp for reading. This becomes the kid's retreat, like a cave, that they can escape to and have all to themselves. This is also a more efficient use of floor space. Depending on the size of the room, there's still plenty of room for a dresser, desk, and shelving.

Buy unfinished furniture and finish it yourself taking into consideration your kid's color preferences. For example, young girls usually prefer pink and purple. The dresser could be white with the drawers alternating pink and purple drawers. The drawer pulls could be an accent color, say, blue. The top of the desk could be white with pink and purple decorations stenciled on the desktop. Be sure to finish the top with varnish after the paint dries so that it won't rub off on books or papers. The desk chair could be painted pink and the seat painted with the accent color. Cubbies work great for organizing and shelving. Each cubby hole can be painted an alternating color.

Now for accent pieces of childrens furniture. A fun item is a kids rocking chair, and dont forget the beanbag chairs. It's a comfortable seat and can be tucked in any space since it's flexible. Lamps are also great accent pieces. One is definitely needed in the area under the platform bed so the child can see to read. Also consider lamps on the dresser, on the desk, and/or on the cubby shelving units. Also, hanging lamps are a big hit with kids. Another comfortable and functional seat is a padded footstool. These can be purchased where the top comes off and there's storage space in the bottom portion of the stool. Use throw pillows for accent pieces as well. Of course all these items will be color coordinated to go along with the theme. The linens for the bed should be color coordinated as well.

Kids furniture doesn't have to be expensive. Some items can be found at yard sales and redone in the colors you prefer. Also check out furniture for kids at consignment shops and thrift stores. Involve your child in the selection of colors, furniture, and accent pieces and this can be a wonderful experience for parents and kids!