For children, it’s a big deal and a fun experience when they get their own “grown up” furniture. But as parents, we may struggle with knowing what’s right and what’s safe for our growing child.
Beds and mattresses are no small investments; therefore we will need to make sensible decision around our children’s furniture needs.
So how do we choose the right sized bed for our children? Here are some pointers to help you get started.
Age of your child
The size of your child’s bed largely depends on the age of your child. Younger children generally spend more time playing on the floor compared to older children. Therefore, as they get older, they may spend more time on their beds, and hence a bigger bed would be advisable.
Space
A major factor in determining your child’s bed would be the size of their room. Room planning is like playing a game of Tetris. So, make sure you get all your measurements right before heading out. Sometimes although we may prefer a bigger bed for an older child, a small sized room would only be able to accommodate a single sized one.
Sharing with Siblings
If you intend to have your children share a room, bunk beds may be a brilliant option as they are the ultimate space saving beds. These days, bunk beds come in an assortment of designs and features so you can pick ones that fit their style.
So what are the bed sizes available for your children?
Toddlers
While toddler beds make great first kid beds, it isn’t the best solution if you’re on a tight budget. A toddler bed is best suited for a younger child and with the child’s largest growth taking place between the ages of 1-6, they will definitely outgrow their beds in just a few years.
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions: 144 – 166cm in length and 73-79cm in width
- Toddler beds are smaller than a standard single bed
- The mattress for a toddler bed is the same as the size of a cot, so most of the time parents opt to keep their children in a cot until the age of 5 and then transition to a bigger sized bed.
- The height of a toddler bed is lower than a single bed, and some are set on the floor. It is a practical option for younger children who may have a tendency of tumbling over.
Older Kids
Single beds are the most popular sized kid beds. Many parents choose to transition from a cot to a single bed to save cost.
Quick Facts:
- The dimension of the single bed varies depending on their design and where they’re from.
- UK single bed: 200cm length, 99cm width, and requires a mattress sized 90cm x 190cm
- EU single bed: 212cm length, 102cm width, and requires a mattress sized 90cm x 200cm
- The height of the single bed will vary but are higher than toddler beds.
- If you’re choosing to buy a single bed for your younger child, consider a rail guard as a safety precaution.
Teens
As your child grows older, a single bed may not offer enough space to fit a 5ft teenager. Therefore, you will need to size up to a small double or a full sized double bed.
Quick Facts:
Small Double Bed
- The dimension of the small sized double bed varies depending on their design and where they’re from.
- UK small double bed: 198cm length, 128cm width, and require a mattress sized 120cm x 190cm
- EU small double bed: 208cm length, 128cm width, and require a mattress sized 120cm x 200cm
- The height of a small double bed will vary depending on the style
Full Sized Double Bed
- The dimension of the full sized double bed varies depending on their design and where they’re from.
- UK double bed: 200cm length, 145cm width, and require a mattress sized 135cm x 190cm
- EU double bed: 210cm length, 148cm width, and require a mattress sized 140cm x 200cm
- The height of a full sized double bed will vary depending on the style
Space-saving beds
If space is a concern, then the single bed is the most obvious choice. However, if you have more than one child and you’re limited on space, then here are some options to consider:
Daybeds: Daybeds are designed to double as a bed and for seating or lounging
Sofa beds: Sofa beds are super effective in saving space. Bed at night, sofa in the day!
Bunk beds: Bunk beds are the official space saving bed! These days, bunk beds come in various sizes and fabulous designs, and are the preferred choice for many growing children.
Cabin beds: Cabin beds are also brilliant space savers as they come with built in drawers, cupboards, desks and wardrobes, providing excellent use of space.
Buying the right sized bed for your child doesn’t come with a textbook answer as it relies completely on your budget, what you want for your child and the space available.
So make looking for the right sized bed for your child fun, and enjoy the process.
While on the topic of children, we all are aware that sleep is of paramount importance to young children. Thus, as parents, we must make sure that our children get the right amount of sleep they need.
