Choosing Kids Furniture for Your Playroom
Andy West
August 11, 2010
It is good for both kids and their parents to have a playroom for the children, a place they can play when the weather is bad or they don't feel like going outside. Because the playroom is a special place for the kids, however, everything in it should be there for them. Here are some things to look for when you are choosing kids furniture for your playroom.
Child-Sized - Playroom furniture should be child-sized, especially when the kids who use it are very young. Climbing into and out of adult-sized chairs and coloring at adult-sized tables can be difficult for small children, if not impossible. Have you ever noticed kids standing instead of sitting at the table to color or eat? Often this is because they can reach it better if they stand up! Furthermore, having furniture of their own makes kids feel special.
Attractive - You will find that much of kids furniture tends to be brightly colored, and often is decorated with well-known childhood icons, such as Disney characters or illustrations of nursery rhymes. There is a good reason for this: Studies have found that children tend to be attracted to bright colors, and will remain more engaged with objects that are brightly colored. (This is also why children's cartoons, cereal boxes, and baby toys tend to be brightly colored.) You don't have to go over the top with this, but playroom furniture should at least look inviting!
Strong - Size and physical appearance are only two of the factors to keep in mind. As anyone knows who has active children, kids can do a number on furniture, so it is important that all playroom furniture be strong and well built. Although plastic kids furniture is common, many parents actually prefer high quality wood furniture for its strength. You should also look for furniture that is held together with metal hardware, rather than glued together.
Durable - Kids spill, knock things over, run into things, climb on furniture, and throw things they shouldn't. Not that you ought to expect to have cavemen for children, but it is a good idea to buy playroom furniture that can withstand a little rough-and-tumble. Particle board furniture, furniture that is glued together, and furniture without a waterproof finish are much more vulnerable to being damaged by your child's daily activities.
Easy to Clean - Kids furniture needs to be easy to clean. This is actually why a lot of companies make plastic furniture for kids, although they don't tend to be as strong or as durable. Wood furniture should be painted to make cleanup easier -- especially tables and chairs where activities such as eating and coloring will be taking place. For kid-size armchairs and sofas, look for upholstery that is easy to wipe down.
Safe - Safety is a big consideration. For example, vintage furniture and even some modern furniture may be unsafe because of leaded paint, which can be toxic to kids if they ingest it. There are other safety concerns to keep in mind, too: Cracked plastic can pinch fingers (and legs or buttocks, in the case of chairs), and broken particleboard or glued furniture can dump a child on the ground quite unexpectedly. Lightweight plastic furniture can also tip over easily. Wooden furniture that hasn't been properly sanded and finished can give a kid splinters.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when buying furniture for your playroom. Although it may cost a little bit more to buy quality kids furniture, it will be safer and last longer, making your purchase a better investment in the long run!
Child-Sized - Playroom furniture should be child-sized, especially when the kids who use it are very young. Climbing into and out of adult-sized chairs and coloring at adult-sized tables can be difficult for small children, if not impossible. Have you ever noticed kids standing instead of sitting at the table to color or eat? Often this is because they can reach it better if they stand up! Furthermore, having furniture of their own makes kids feel special.
Attractive - You will find that much of kids furniture tends to be brightly colored, and often is decorated with well-known childhood icons, such as Disney characters or illustrations of nursery rhymes. There is a good reason for this: Studies have found that children tend to be attracted to bright colors, and will remain more engaged with objects that are brightly colored. (This is also why children's cartoons, cereal boxes, and baby toys tend to be brightly colored.) You don't have to go over the top with this, but playroom furniture should at least look inviting!
Strong - Size and physical appearance are only two of the factors to keep in mind. As anyone knows who has active children, kids can do a number on furniture, so it is important that all playroom furniture be strong and well built. Although plastic kids furniture is common, many parents actually prefer high quality wood furniture for its strength. You should also look for furniture that is held together with metal hardware, rather than glued together.
Durable - Kids spill, knock things over, run into things, climb on furniture, and throw things they shouldn't. Not that you ought to expect to have cavemen for children, but it is a good idea to buy playroom furniture that can withstand a little rough-and-tumble. Particle board furniture, furniture that is glued together, and furniture without a waterproof finish are much more vulnerable to being damaged by your child's daily activities.
Easy to Clean - Kids furniture needs to be easy to clean. This is actually why a lot of companies make plastic furniture for kids, although they don't tend to be as strong or as durable. Wood furniture should be painted to make cleanup easier -- especially tables and chairs where activities such as eating and coloring will be taking place. For kid-size armchairs and sofas, look for upholstery that is easy to wipe down.
Safe - Safety is a big consideration. For example, vintage furniture and even some modern furniture may be unsafe because of leaded paint, which can be toxic to kids if they ingest it. There are other safety concerns to keep in mind, too: Cracked plastic can pinch fingers (and legs or buttocks, in the case of chairs), and broken particleboard or glued furniture can dump a child on the ground quite unexpectedly. Lightweight plastic furniture can also tip over easily. Wooden furniture that hasn't been properly sanded and finished can give a kid splinters.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when buying furniture for your playroom. Although it may cost a little bit more to buy quality kids furniture, it will be safer and last longer, making your purchase a better investment in the long run!
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