Five Features to Consider When Choosing a Kids’ Bed

Your youngster’s bed is far more than where they sleep at night.

It’s where they plot their adventures on a rainy afternoon. It’s where they swap secrets during sleepovers. And with the right features, it can also be a space to study, store toys, and more…

So, when it comes to finding the right kids’ bed, you’ll want to make sure it delivers everything your child needs. Whether your little one is ready for their first ‘big’ bed or it’s simply time for a change, consider these five design features first.

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1. Does it have Safety Features?

If it’s time to wave goodbye to your child’s cot or toddler bed, then you’ll want to consider whether their new bed has any safety features. Moving away from the security of safety bars can be a big step for little ones – and can sometimes mean they topple out of bed at night.

So, browse beds that have an added safety rail or barrier. This helps your little one adjust to their new bed and stay safely onboard while they snooze.

With the teepee-style kid’s bed by Lifetime Kids (below), you have the option to add a handy bed guard to keep your little one safe. So not only will kids enjoy the fun teepee design while they play, but you can sleep soundly knowing you won’t wake up to any ‘bumps’ in the night.

Cool Kids Tipi Day Bed

And if your little ones are kids bunking up together, you’ll want to make sure you prevent any trips and falls. When it comes to bunk beds, you’ll need to check that it ticks all the right safety boxes.

With the bunk bed by Parisot (below), you can relax knowing that your little one can enter, exit, and sleep in their bunk safely. With a sturdy ladder and wide-set steps, kids can safely head out of bed without missing a step – even in the dead of night. And if space is a concern, there’s even space to store bits and pieces inside the steps!

Parisot Bibliobed Kids Bunk Bed

2. Does it Offer any Storage?

Kids seem to grow an unlimited supply of toys and books… Which can be particularly hard to manage if you’re short on space.

So, consider whether your child’s next new bed can help you declutter. Plenty of kids’ beds feature either built-in storage – which means you can keep clutter out of sight without taking over any extra floor space.

Take the Lars Low cabin bed (below). It’s bursting with clever storage solutions to help you keep clutter at bay. Whether you’re always tripping over shoes or toys, you can hide them away inside the three roomy drawers under the mattress. Plus, you can use the trundle drawer to stash away spare bedding.

Lars Low Cabin Bed

The Saturn Midsleeper by Julian Bowen (below) is another great option if you’re hoping to cut back on clutter. Boasting a bookcase, three drawers, and storage cubes, this bed has everything you need to keep those messy bedroom bits stashed away.

Julian Bowen Saturn Midsleeper

3. Is it Space-Efficient?

Kids need space to grow up.

Whether they need to spread out for study sessions or more room to chill out with friends, you’ll want to make sure they have as much free space as possible.

That’s why it’s a good idea to consider a bed that combines multiple pieces of furniture. This helps you free up more bedroom space for whatever your kids enjoy.

The Alfie modular sleeper bed (below) combines a bed, a roomy storage unit, and a play area. As the bed is raised, kids can use the space underneath to play games. And with ample shelving, they can keep all their toys neatly stacked away – at least, after some gentle nudging!

Alfie Modular Mid Sleeper Bed

For teens, the Harry high rise bed (below) is the ultimate space saver. Combining a bed, wardrobe, shelf, and desk, you’ll save heaps of floor space with this savvy bed. There’s no need to take over your child’s room with a desk – they can study away under their mattress, and enjoy all that free floor space.

Harry High Rise Bed with Wardrobe

4. Is it Fun?

Who says bedtime is boring? With a fun or novelty kids’ bed, you can tempt even the most reluctant of little ones to head to bed.

Whether your youngster is daunted by the prospect of a ‘big’ bed or they have lots of energy to spend before bed, find a bed with fun play features. A novelty bed is great for keeping kids entertained during sleepovers or rainy afternoons.

The Maxxi Cabin Bed with Slide (below) is the ultimate fun bed. Kids will never wake up on the wrong side of the bed again – instead, they can slide out of bed and start their day with a big smile on their faces. Plus, it’s easy to tidy up after play sessions with the built-in storage boxes!

Maxxi Cabin Bed with Slide

The Marlowe Mid Sleeper Bed (below) is a bed and a play den wrapped up in one. Thanks to its roomy under-bed space, kids can enjoy their very own private play area. With a few cushions, you can create a cosy den your little one won’t be able to resist. And with a cut-out window, it’s ideal for imaginative play sessions.

Marlowe Mid Sleeper Bed

5. Will it Fit the Right Size Mattress?

Think about the size of mattress you’d like for your child.

If it’s your child’s first proper bed, a big mattress might be too daunting – so a small single mattress might help them adjust to their new sleeping quarters. Or if your child is in their teens, a small double allows them to grow and stretch out.

Luckily, our kids’ beds come in all shapes and sizes. From toddler beds to small doubles, you can find the perfect sized bed for your child. And to make life easier, many of our kids’ beds have an optional add-on mattress that you order with the bed – so you won’t need to shop around to find the right one.

The Aviary Triple Sleeper (below) gives you a selection of mattresses to choose from. You can add a small kids’ single for the top bunk, and a small double for the bigger bottom bunk. It’s the ideal sleepover solution!

Aviary Triple Sleeper

Ready to find a kids’ bed that ticks all the right boxes? Head over to our selection to find the perfect bed for your little one. If you have any questions, give me a call on +44 (0) 1305 231231 or send an email today.

Nathalie

With more than 10 years’ experience in providing advice and support to parents looking for their perfect kids bed, mother of 2, Nathalie Davis is passionate about helping children develop. In her role as Director of Product Procurement at Cuckooland, Nathalie has helped thousands of parents improve their children’s sleep and sleeping habits through the beds and mattresses she sources and the articles she writes. In her spare time she teaches her Golden Retriever to be a responsible vegetarian and is often spotted sifting through clothes at her local Charity Shops.

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