Affordable and Functional Kids’ Furniture

Your home may be your castle, but for kids, their room rules. From toddler onward, it’s a pretty fair assumption that your children are going to have some pretty specific ideas about how they’d like to have their room decorated. And those ideas are bound to change with time. While it’s great to encourage creativity and let their imaginations roam, frequent changes of décor can cost a bundle over time. Selecting a few basic furniture options that can follow your children from preschooler to teenager gives you the flexibility in your budget to add a few extra items that can make the space their own.

Kids’ Beds

Of course, one of the primary pieces of furniture in your child’s bedroom is the bed, and today’s options offer flexible designs that can take your child from infancy into adulthood. Offering a unique level of versatility, these “4-in-1” cribs can convert from crib to toddler bed to daybed to full-size bed with just a few simple steps.

From the clean lines of the Charleston 4-in-1 Coffee Convertible Crib and the Emi 4-in-1 Crib offered in ebony, honey oak and cherry finishes, to the regal bearing of the Princess 4-in-1 Dark Cherry Crib, you’ll find a crib that offers the perfect complement to your nursery décor.

Heirloom-quality bassinets are ideal for younger infants who crave a comfy, snug sleeping space. Both the Cherry Elegance Round Bassinet with Eyelet Bedding and the Portable 2-in-1 Bassinet/Toy Box will be treasured for generations.

If your child is past the crib stage, consider a bed that offers storage, as well as a comfy place to stretch out. Both the Country Pine Twin-size Mate's Bed and the Pure White Contemporary Mate's Bed feature comfortable sleeping platforms above functional, spacious drawers.

Bunk beds have always been a favorite among kids, and the options offered by the Sunset company run the gamut, from the traditional twin-over-twin design of the Sunset Black or White Twin/Twin Bunk Bed to the more spacious Sunrise White Twin/Double Bunk Bed and the versatile Sunset Black Twin/Futon Bunk Bed that offers sleeping and seating areas.

Kids’ Storage

With the bed chosen, it’s time to think about storage. Changing tables have come a long way from the drab-looking units of the past decades. Today’s changers are sleek, solid units offered in clean colors and warm wood tones.

The rich finishes of the Bella Changer Chest and the Piedmont Dark Chocolate Baby Changing Table make these pieces look as at-home in a living room as they do in a nursery. Drawer and shelf storage lets these changers serve your child well beyond the diaper stage. The Emi Ebony 4-drawer Dresser offers serious storage in spacious drawers, while the Pure White Country Door Chest takes advantage of vertical space with closet storage as well as drawers and open shelves. Or enter the world of fairytales with the fluid lines and vibrant blue finish of the Hansel Kids' Two-drawer Cabinet and Hansel Kids' Corner Stand.

Kids’ Entertainment

Recognizing that many kids’ rooms contain televisions and videogame systems, the Kids' Entertainment Tower offers ample storage for both while minimizing the floor space it requires. Or choose the Kids' Entertainment Center with its low profile and four-shelf under-TV storage option. The Kid's Three-tier and Four-tier Shelf systems offer easily accessible shelves that make it simple for kids to pick up after themselves, and keep toys and books within arm’s reach.

Kids’ Seating

With sleeping and storage options taken care of, you can turn your attention to seating options that will make the room a comfy, friendly gathering spot for your child and his or her friends. For sheer, slouching comfort in front of the television, as well as a warm, inviting place to snuggle with a good book, the beanbag can’t be beat.

Offered in a wide selection of colors and covers, you’re sure to find a chair that suits your child’s tastes. Choose from soft treatments, like the Sueded Corduroy Kid's Strawberry Beanbag Chair or Pear Sueded Corduroy Teen Beanbag, or the easy-to-clean surface of the Deluxe Vinyl Teen Red Beanbag Chair. Or get wild with theme covers, like the 'Smiling Skull' 84-inch Beanbag, the Guitar-print 84-inch Round Bean Bag or the Faux Fur Animal Print 84-inch Bean Bag. Both the 'Mod Dots' 84-inch Round Plush Beanbag and the 'Peace Sign' 84-inch Beanbag are ideal complements to the popular ‘60s themes of today’s kids’ rooms.

If beanbags just aren’t your style and you’re looking for a little more support, both the Microfiber Grey Chair with Wheels and the Folding Chair with Pillow offer support, as well as portability that allows some flexibility in your room design.

Letting your kids have a say in the design of their room will make it a place they’ll want to be, whether it’s for sleeping, reading or just plain relaxing. And today’s flexible options can help keep your wallet happy, too.