From Toddler to Teen: Bedroom Furniture Ideas for Kids of Every Age

Designing a child's bedroom can be extremely fun but at times it’s also challenging. As our babies become toddlers, and then continue onto children, tweens, and finally teens, their needs and preferences go through several stark changes.

This means that the ideal choice for any age is something that’s adaptable, functional, and relevant for the development stage that they’re currently in – or the one that’s next up.

And so, we created a guide to help you choose the perfect bedroom furniture for kids. Whatever the age of your little ones, at Bensons we offer kids’ bedroom furniture to suit all from toddlers right up to teens.

Bedroom Furniture for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

When it comes to toddlers, it’s wise to put safety and comfort as your primary priority. This is the age where many children start to really focus on those vital physical development skills. From walking to running, and from jumping to climbing, generally kids aged 1-3 years are into everything. It’s a bit like going from 0-60 mph in the blink of an eye. So, it’s easy to understand the need for safety while kitting out your toddler’s bedroom (1).

The comfort is essential for promoting a more restorative sleep for your little one. During these years, there’s still a fair bit of teething to live through. Plus, it’s likely you’ll transition your child from your bedroom to their own (if you haven’t already). And then there’s the transition from a cot to a big bed to contend with. As long as you keep comfort as a central theme, each of these transitions might just run a bit more smoothly (2).

Once your little one has outgrown their cot (or crib, if you prefer), you have two options. Number one is to get a toddler bed, and number two is to transition them straight into a small single or full-size single bed. As their parents, you are best placed to make that call. One thing that is advisable for their first big bed is to choose a model that’s low to the ground. This can help ensure your child doesn’t get too many bumps and bruises from falls which are bound to happen when transitioning to a sleeping set up without walls. Another thing that’s handy (especially in those first few months) is some cushioning for their landing. An extra duvet, some comfy blankets, or some additional pillows on the floor beside their bed can soften the blow. An alternative option is to go for a bed with built in safety rails like some of the beds in our collection.

Look for low shelves and/or storage boxes. These are ideal for toddlers as it allows them the freedom to access their toys and books as and when they want – ideal for building independence.

Be on the lookout for softs with hypoallergenic treatments to keep allergens at bay. Rugs, cushions, and bedding should be soft, welcoming, and warm to give their bedroom a cosy and inviting feeling.

Other tips when shopping for bedroom furniture for toddlers:

1. Set your mind in safety-first mode
2. Make sure their favourite things are easily accessible to them
3. Choose soft furnishings that can be machine-washed

Bedroom Furniture for Pre-schoolers (Ages 3-5)

When building the idea bedroom for a child aged between 3 and 5 years old, you’ll want to create a space that encourages creativity and play. Again, children at this age are still very much INTO EVERYTHING. And it’s that freedom to explore different things and begin to form their own opinions and preferences that is vital for their personal, social and emotional development (3).

With that in mind, you might need to consult with your child while kitting out their bedroom at this age. They may suddenly have a favourite colour, or a favourite thing – be it cars, dinosaurs, princesses, or superheroes – that you can incorporate into the design of their bedroom.

Be on the lookout for interactive furniture. Pieces that help to stimulate your little one’s imagination are ideal. So, you might want to find space fora small table and chairs that they can use when drawing or playing games.

Themed beds are also a big hit with children in that 3-5 bracket. So, if you didn’t buy a Disney Princess bed frame for them (for example) when they were a toddler, now could be the time to go all in. Themed beds can help make bedtime more exciting for your little ones. And the dream for any parent is for their child to actually look forward to bedtime.

Your preschooler will also be needing plenty of storage for all the stuff they accumulate too. You probably already have too many toys and books in need of a space to call home, so multifunctional furniture items such as storage ottomans or beds with drawers underneath could be a great way to get more out of a smaller bedroom.

Other tips when shopping for bedroom furniture for 3-5 year olds:

1. Create zones for play, relaxing, and sleep
2. Multifunctional furniture with storage can help you squash more into their space
3. Ensure accessibility to continue to grow and develop their independence

Bedroom Furniture for Primary School Kids (Ages 6-9)

Creating a bedroom for a child aged between 6 and 9 years old is about balancing fun with function. Primary school is all about preparing kids for high school. And with that comes developing the ability to balance work and play on a daily basis. So, kids this age are going to need a place to do their homework.

But we also feel that primary school kids can also still be referred to a young (just maybe not to their face). And so a fun environment that is full of inspiration for those moments of creativity is equally important.The ideal bedroom for 6-9 year olds would have a dedicated study area, complete with a desk and chair. Many of our loft beds (aka high-sleepers) and cabin beds (or mid-sleepers if you prefer) have built in desks for this very reason. They tend to be great space-savers thanks to their ability to provide a space to sleep and a play or do homework, all in the same compact footprint.

Personalised touches are a must. If you haven’t up till now, it’s time to let your child have a say in how their room is decorated. Remember to leave wall space for them to hang their drawings and shelf space to display their treasured collections. 

Here are a few more tips and tricks for anyone shopping for bedroom furniture for kids aged 6-9 years old:

1. Bookshelves or display units are a great idea
2. Ensure the study area has good lighting to reduce the likelihood of them straining their eyes. This can be done using lamps if you decide to go with a high-sleeper bed design.

Bedroom Furniture for Tweens (Ages 10-12)

Your child is almost a teenager now, and your main job as a parent is to instil the confidence they need to become more (and more) independent. The tween years are those in-between years where you don’t quite fit the “child” category any more, but you’re not yet classed as a “teenager”.It’s a bit of an awkward phase, and having a comfortable bedroom where they can escape the stress of school, friends, parents, and siblings becomes paramount.

When your child gets to the tween stage, it’sa good time to think about potentially getting them a bigger bed. If your child is currently in a small single, it’s time to swap it out for a full size single. And if their bedroom will accommodate it, a small double or even a standard double bed could be a great way to show them you understand that they’re growing up. Plus, an increase in sleep space can help to accommodate their growing bodies and appease their desire for comfort.

Another point is that storage needs to become better-organised. Generally, tweens have a lot more homework and hobbies than younger children.So, efficient storage solutions such as dressers, bookshelves, and under-bed storage become a necessity.

Depending on what you chose for your 6-9 year old, it might be time to upgrade their study area too. A larger desk may be needed to keep them comfy while completing homework tasks. And a comfortable chair and proper lighting should still be a priority. You may even want to add a corkboard or a whiteboard to help them get better organised ahead of their teenage years too.

Other tips for parents shopping for bedroom furniture for their tweenagers:

1. Encourage them to get involved in the process
2. Leave room for them to personalise their bedroom
3. Listen to any specific needs or requests your child may have – you don’t have to comply with them all, but listening can lead to a happy compromise. Plus, it’ll help build a positive relationship between you and your tween.

Bedroom Furniture for Teens (Ages 13-18)

Last, but by no means least, we come to those teenage years. Here it’s important to put your focus on ensuring their bedroom reflects their personalise and caters to their future needs.

Teenagers are on the last leg of their development journey on the road to becoming adults. And as such, most teens may prefer an element of maturity while selecting bedroom furniture pieces. Be on the lookout for a grown up, sophisticated bed.If you haven’t already upgraded their bed and mattress to a queen-size or a full double, now is the ideal time. Paired with some stylish bedding a larger bed can help make their room feel like a retreat – their very own place to escape the chaos of formal learning and hectic family life.

A versatile workspace is also a must for a teen bedroom. Look for a desk that can be used for both studying and hobbies. And let’s face it, many teens are into the world of gaming right now so it may be worth a quick peek at our dedicated gaming bedroom design guide. A desk for a teenager needs to have enough space to house a computer – be it a PC or a laptop – and any other essential hobby or study-based equipment.

Then we come to storage solutions for teens. Wardrobes featuring shelves and drawers are ideal as it enables them to organise their clothing and accessories in a way that works for them. Multi-functional furniture such as an ottoman bed with storage underneath or a mid sleeper with an extra long single bed up top and a handy desk underneath is always a win, especially if your teen’s bedroom is short on space.

More tips for parents shopping for bedroom furniture for teenagers:

1. Get them involved in the selection process
2. Look for more grown up solutions that will carry them through to those early adult years while they’re still using your home as a base
3. Consider their needs when shopping for storage solutions (clothing addicts will need large wardrobes, gamers will need places to display their collectibles, etc)

Final Thoughts

On your mission to create a functional and inviting bedroom for your child, you’ll need to have a good understanding their evolving needs as well as any personal preferences. Ultimately, investing in adaptable, high-quality furniture can ensure your child's bedroom is able to grow up alongside them. But at the heart of the design, the aim is to give your children a comfortable and inspiring bedroom space that they’ll love spending time in. Remember, the best furniture solutions for a child are those that combine functionality with fun. Get them involved in the process by shopping together online. Alternatively, head to your local Bensons for Beds store to experience some of our products in the flesh.

Sources:

1. https://www.thestylediary.co.uk/home-decor/how-to-create-a-cosy-and-safe-bedroom-for-a-toddler
2. https://www.metroparent.com/parenting/advice/make-room-for-the-kids-the-importance-of-kids-bedrooms/