Tips to Choose the Right Bed Frame for Your Child

What is the first image that comes to your mind when we say children and beds?

Children playfully bouncing on beds, of course!

And if our mind conjures up such a universal (and vivid) picture, it goes without saying that parents have to put in special thought and care into picking the right bed frame for their young one. You want something that appeals to your child, is safe and sturdy, and can last you a few good years – phew! That’s a fine balancing act.

If you are in the middle of such a conundrum, you have come to the right place. Here’s your one-stop guide on how to choose the right bed frame for your child!

Understand the Different Bed Frames

First things first, you will have to conduct research – a lot of it – on the different bed frames for children. But between raising your little devil and handling other chores, do you even have the time for it?

So, to cut a long story short, here is a breakdown of some common ones:

• Cot Beds: Cots, cribs, or cradles – these tiny beds are suited for infants, babies, and small toddlers. This bed often has end panels and sides that can be removed.
• Indoor Hammock Beds: Not technically ‘bed’ per se, but indoor hammocks can be a great place for your young ‘un to hang out – quite literally. Rather than replacing beds, these are often used as an extra sleeping space.
• Platform Beds: These modern beds sport a solid structure and slatted surface. They are often low, about 5 to 12 inches off the floor, which makes them pretty accessible for your little one.
• Cabin Beds: Cabin beds are box beds offering storage space to hold books, clothes, and even toys. These bed frames are higher than platform beds so you can consider these for your children aged 5 and above.
• Bunk Beds: Bunk beds need no introduction – you wanted one as a child and chances are that your child would also want one (assuming they get the top bunk, of course!) Modern-day bunk beds come in many variations – train bunk beds, L-shaped bunk beds, twin bunk beds, and more.
• Loft Beds: Often confused with bunk bends, these space-saving bed frames feature the bed on top with the lower area as a playpen or a reading nook.
• Novelty Beds: These are often custom-made bed frames for children. They are often fashioned after ships, cars, castles – essentially anything “cool” your child may dream of!

Size Matters

You’ve seen it with clothes. You’ve seen it with shoes. You’ve seen it with everything!

Children outgrow things – and that too rapidly at that!

And while there’s no stopping time and freezing your li’l munchkin in their tiny, cute stage, you can plan for their growth spurts while considering the bed. That’s not to say that you will buy a boring, full-sized adult bed for your little one because “they’re going to grow old eventually”!

On the contrary, we urge you to get something age-appropriate with sufficient room for your child to grow. How can you make this happen? Here’s a quick cheat sheet on mattress sizes for children of all ages:

	Mattress Size
Infants (0 to 1 year)	60 cm x 120 cm
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)	70 cm x 120 cm
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)	75 cm x 140 cm
Grade schoolers (5 to 8 years)	90 cm x 200 cm
Pre-teens/Teens (8 to 12 years)	120 cm x 200 cm
Teens (12 to 18 years)	140 cm x 200 cm

Add about 3-4 cm to the mattress size and you get the approximate size for your child’s bed frame! Unfortunately, these are not magic figures and are purely indicative to grant you a fair idea. At the end of the day, the bed frame sizing depends on your child’s growth rate and size so choose suitably.

Prioritize Safety

When one thinks of the ‘safety’ of a bed frame for children, their mind is often restricted to the usual safety checks. Whether the bed frame can support your child’s weight. Can it withstand random, unplanned, and disproportionate assault that your child dishes out? After all, some monkeying around is inevitable! Are there any visible outcrops jutting out or sharp edges posing as a safety hazard? You know, the usual drill.

However, you know your kid better so also consider their personality while making this investment.

For instance, if you have a toddler who is particularly fond of sneaking out of bed and wandering about, it would help to have some side rails. Or if your child likes to turn around like the hour’s hand while sleeping, panels or protective pads can ensure their safety. Do you have a curious child who likes to stick their fingers or arms inside tight spots? Maybe you should rethink that bed with a large cutout in the headboard!

In simple words, think of how your child will use the bed and plan for safety accordingly.

Remember to Have Fun!

You may be very tempted to purchase a bed that harmonises with the room’s layout, theme, and colour palette. But your child’s heart may be set on that racecar-shaped or princess-themed bed frame. In such a case, don’t be afraid to let loose some of that pragmatism and practicality and give in to such demands, provided that they’re not unreasonable.

Even if your child outgrows the bed sooner or you have to sacrifice the storage space, the sheer memory of you tucking them in in their favourite bed will live with them forever! And you can’t even put a price on that!

Clearly, choosing the right bed frame for your child is as tough a task as putting them to sleep while they experience a sugar rush. However, HomeLane offers a ton of options that can cater to all your (and your child’s requirements) without weighing down your wallet. With the above pointers in mind, feel free to check out our catalogue!