Choosing The Right All-In-One For Your Child’s Needs

The great thing about an all-in-one piece of furniture is that it allows you to expand upward in a small room that doesn’t have much space. Nearly all of these have one feature in common: They have a twin-sized sleeping area on the top. Aside from this commonality, there are many, many differences in the styles and combinations that are available. Depending on the number of children you have sleeping in one room and what storage is available to you, you can find a unit that will best suit your particular situation and which meets your specifications.

If you have two children who are within a few years in age, then you will probably want to get a unit with two twin-sized sleeping areas. If you are lucky, they will agree on who will sleep in the upper and lower area. Otherwise, flip a coin or draw straws to see who gets the first choice and then let them switch out weekly or at any regular interval. Even though the sleeping areas are the same size, both don’t require a climb up the ladder before they can go to sleep.

If you have one child that is four or more years older than the other sharing the same room, then the bottom sleeping area may need to be full-sized to give the older child more room. Also, older children don’t usually care as much about the climbing as the younger ones do.

For one child, you have many more options to choose from. If your child frequently has friend over for sleepovers, then it will be beneficial to have two twin sleeping units. Since you aren’t going to be using the lower one all of the time, you can get a trundle style that fits the other sleeping area underneath the storage area. This will prevent taking up as much room and will allow for a desk at the front of the unit. Of course, you can also use the traditional two unit style.

If you have one child who is still young enough to want to play more than he/she wants to work at a desk, you can skip the second sleeping unit and get one that offers a play area in the lower part. These are enclosed either with durable fabric or with creative styling in wood that is made to look like a house. Even though this is a designated play area, it will also have a wide variety of storage options that should hold all the toys and clothing that your child has!

For many small ones, the fun comes from sleeping upstairs in a covered area that will be like camping out every night. If you provide a cover for your child’s sleep area, make sure they are comfortable with the idea before attaching to the furniture.

Consider your options carefully before you make your purchase. Is extra storage a priority or are you more concerned with getting a desk for a computer for homework? Do you have room to have a desk on the outer end of the unit or does it need to be underneath the sleeping area? Be sure of your needs and how much space you have to work in before you buy!