The Best Kids’ Beds

Buying Guide

Whether your child is ready for their first kids’ bed or has outgrown their current one, you have a lot of choices to both suit the bedroom’s decor and your child’s interests. Compared to adult beds that can look a lot more plain, kids’ beds come in styles ranging from simple traditional beds to extravagant loft beds that serve as a playhouse during the day. They also differ in that you’ll often find safety features such as rails or a low height to accommodate smaller sleepers.

Before exploring bed options, consider your child’s age so you can determine the right size. The smallest option will be a toddler bed that’s shorter than other beds and usually ranges from 50 or 60 inches long. This compact bed works well for children who are at least 18 months old, and it will usually feature safety rails to help prevent rollouts. As your child grows, you can consider beds that are twin size or larger and may not have the safety rails younger children would need. Regular adult beds can also suit older children now and last through their teens.

If you’d like to go with a simpler kids’ bed, look into traditional or platform beds. Traditional beds have both a headboard and footboard and are often higher from the ground since they use a box spring. While you can find plain designs, some traditional beds for kids will feature cartoon characters or come in fun shapes like cars. On the other hand, platform beds don’t have a footboard, are lower to the ground and need no box spring. Since platform beds may have drawers in the base for storage, they can offer a place for your child’s toys and books.

Canopy beds for kids can come in styles that either sit on the ground or are higher up like traditional beds. In any case, there will be posts attached to the bed to hang curtains or other decorations like lights. This kind of bed can give your kid privacy and be decorated in a fun way.

Loft beds are usually the fanciest option for kids’ beds and feature the actual bed on top. Below there might be an open space to put other furniture like a desk or chair, or the bed could have shelves, tables and drawers built into it. You can also find loft beds that resemble playhouses and may have a daybed below.

If you have two kids that share a room, you might find bunk beds a good option. These can range from simple stacked twin beds with a ladder attached to more exquisite designs with a roof attached or even a slide. You can also use some of these beds side by side instead of connected to each other.

• Always check the specifications for any kids’ bed you’re considering. You’ll want to make sure it’s long enough for your child’s height and that its weight limit isn’t too low.
• If you have a young child, pay close attention to safety features. Going with a larger bed without rails could lead to injuries should your child roll out. Also, make sure the bed isn’t so high that your kid can’t easily get in and out of it. Also, be careful with beds that have ladders since they can lead to falls.
• Kids’ beds will often be made of metal and wood. While metal is very easy to take care of and durable, wood offers a more classic look and can be painted in many colors. You can also find some kids’ beds with fabric over the frame for a softer feel, but these can be more challenging to keep clean.
• Measure the width and length of the bed space in your child’s room so that you can choose a bed size and style that fits. If you decide on a canopy, bunk or loft bed, you’ll need to also ensure the room’s ceiling is high enough for that design.
• Depending on the kids’ bed style, the installation process can vary from being simple enough to do it yourself to so difficult you may need professional help. Typically, traditional and platform beds are the easiest to assemble on your own, while a simple bunk bed may be doable with some extra help from friends or family. Canopy and loft bed designs can sometimes be bulky and very complex, so you’ll want to consider your comfort with the assembly process and the possibility of hiring a professional assembler.