When it comes to investing in your child’s first proper bed, you’ll inevitably spend some time researching which beds will be best for them.
However, with so many beds and furniture brands out there, how do you know which questions to ask in order to make the right decision?
In this blog, we have collated the most frequently asked questions by our customers, and also which questions they deem most important to ask. – We hope these help you find the best bed for your child.
- Is my child old/big enough for a high bed/bunk bed?
We recommend that a child should be at least age 6 before moving up to a ‘high’ bed, simply due to climbing a ladder.
However, of course, you as parents will know your child best, and whether they can cope with the demands of a high bed. Factors such as feeling content when going to sleep, being night sleep trained, and actually wanting to be high up in the bedroom are all important aspects to consider.
- What materials should my child’s bed be made from?
We may just be a little biased, but it probably won’t surprise you to hear that here at Little Folks Furniture, we favour responsibly sourced wooden beds. The key thing to check if choosing a timber bed for your child, is whether the bed frame itself (ie the posts and side rails) are crafted from solid hard woods.
The bed frame will be taking the weight of the child, so checking the wood type is important.
Hard woods are stronger, more durable materials and so it stands to reason that they will last a lot longer than softer, knotty woods such as Pine.
- What type of mattress should my child be sleeping on?
Children move a lot in their sleep, and need the security and safety of a supportive mattress.
Because of this, a sprung mattress is the best option for a child. Spring interior mattresses provide strength, comfort and support. - We don’t use foam in our mattresses simply because it degrades more easily and is less breathable.
Look for breathable cotton covers that are hard wearing and help regulate your child’s temperature.
Fully natural mattresses are also available, with materials such as wool and latex offering a premium inner for a peaceful night’s sleep.
- Do I need a child’s size bed for my child?
We think this probably depends on your child and the space that you have available. It is worth thinking about the longevity of the bedroom. If space allows, we recommend investing in a full size adult single bed or a small double for a child to encourage independence and avoiding buying multiple beds.
This means that standard full size single bedding will fit the bed, and also that a trundle bed (perfect for parents and sleepovers) can fit underneath easily too. So as long as your child is ready to come out of their cot, we don’t believe that it is always necessary to buy a toddler bed first.
- What type of storage should I buy for my child?
This depends on the type of space available in their bedroom, and also whether the storage is mainly for clothes (wardrobes are a great option here), or toys (trundle drawers and open bookcases for totes work well here).
Chests of drawers are great for all manner of items, and desks with storage work really well for storing study notes, exercise books and course work.
- Which type of bed is best for a small bedroom?
If space is at a premium, and your child is at least six, we’d recommend considering a mid sleeper or high sleeper bed.
Both of these bed types allow for all manner of other furniture to be stored underneath the bed frame. From desks to storage, bookcases to day beds and futons, this helps alleviate space in the rest of the room for playing, hobbies and chilling!
For younger children, you could consider a cabin bed, or even a single bed with storage trundle drawer underneath for storage.
- How safe is a child's bed?
The only safety legislation in the UK when it comes to children’s beds is surrounding high beds. This means that it is quite difficult to establish whether or not a bed is safe.
When it comes to high beds, we recommend asking the brand directly about the safety testing. – Has the design been tested by them, and to what standard? This will provide you with some assurances in terms of the quality and safety of the beds. We also recommend only purchasing from expert brands with a reputation for designing and manufacturing children's beds.
All of our high beds and bunks are tested by us, to stringent safety standards, in our own built testing rig. We put our designs through rigorous testing to ensure that they will stand up to the hurly-burly of life with little ones!
Have more questions? Please just give us a call. We’re here to help, and as we design everything ourselves and directly manage our manufacturing processes too, we can help aid you as best we can when it comes to purchasing your child’s bed.
Happy researching! x
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