JOIN USWhen you are designing your child’s room, pay attention to the kind of bed you choose for your little one. Comfort matters most, though you will have to consider the theme of the room, the colours and the overall decor scheme, writes Ruth Dsouza Prabhu.
Every room in the house is important when it comes to doing it up, but your child’s room requires that you take extra time out. Of course, the theme of the room, the colour combinations, and the aesthetics have to be looked into, but the bed is where your child will be spending a significant amount of time doing something that is vital to growth — sleeping. That is why it is important that you choose the right kind of bed for them, appropriate for their age and comfort. Shilpa S Srinivas Kumar is a City-based space designer. She emphasises, “Comfort comes first. The looks of the space is secondary. Most of a child’s growth happens when he or she is asleep and this makes it mandatory for a bed to be comfortable, to be at a relatively low height and one that does not end up rattling or making disturbing noises.”
There are various kinds of beds and in each one of them, the kind of mattress you choose will make or break it. The mattress has to be one that provides support to your child’s back and ensures that children don’t grow up with any complications of posture. Another thing you have to be careful about, says Shilpa, is the shape of the bed. It should have smooth edges and corners to prevent the child from hurting herself when getting in and out of the bed. It should also be a bed that looks like a fun place to be. It should include vinyls or paintings or have the child’s favourite characters woven into the design to provide a pleasant view.
There are various kinds of beds for children. Here is a look at some of them.
Starter beds
When children need to make a transition from their cots in the parent’s room to one of their own, the starter bed is a good option. These are placed closer to the ground, are smaller than regular sized beds and make a safe option for children sleeping on their own for the first time.
Bunk beds
This is a classic one, especially in a home with two children. If you decide to opt for one, choose one that is made of wood. The investment is higher, but it will last longer and can be restored after some time and brought back to its original lustre. It will remain sturdy. Also make sure to invest in a bunk bed that can later be separated into individual ones as the children grow up.
Trundle beds
These are available in two versions — where caster wheels will roll out another bed or open out into a storage space. These types of beds work well in places where space is an issue. You could also consider loft beds, where the bed and safety railings are attached at a higher spot on the wall and can be accessed with a ladder. All the space below can be used for several other purposes.
Novelty beds
These are available for boys and girls in designs ranging from cars to doll houses and more. It’s a fun way to encourage children to sleep in their own beds and make the transition to independent sleeping.
Tweens and teenagers are perhaps the most difficult group to please with their wants tearing them between practicality and style.
Having them included in the decision on bed purchase will help make things easier for you.
Taking a strong stand on the kind of mattress to be used etc can be a call that you take on your own.
When you are doing research on the kind of bed that would be best suited to your child’s room, nothing can be a better resource than the Internet. Make a choice based on safety levels, the comfort factor and also the price that you are comfortable with. Giving your child a good night’s sleep can mean fewer tantrums, and a much happier child in general.