I remember getting a new bed one year for Christmas.  It was a big deal to have a pretty bed and encouraged me to pick some colors and decorations in my own room.  Do you have a young girl in your life that’s ready for a new bed – something bigger, or prettier, or multi-functional?  We have a guest author today who addresses some of the bed types you might consider when shopping for a girl’s bed (many also apply to a boy).

Girl’s Beds

When it comes to purchasing a bed for a girl up to tween, there is a wide selection and you can choose based on needs and style.  Traditional beds with canopies, beds with colorful prints and colors, or themes of favorite characters are very popular, though with children, particular favorites change very rapidly.  Ideally parents want to keep a bed until a child has completely outgrown it, generally after at least 5 years.  After a child sees The Little Mermaid or The Lion King, she may love a mermaid or lion bed, but within a few months those characters may become “childish” among peers and as soon as the next Disney movie comes out, her desire for the new character will overshadow her previous love for Ariel or Simba.  Usually it ‘s best to get a more generic bed, and select character-themed sheets, pillows, and accessories.  These are easily changed and updated with every change of heart.

Bed Styles for Girls

Canopy beds provide classic styling and have been a favorite of girls for hundreds of years.  There’s just something feminine and sweet about sleeping under soft, draping fabric overhead.  Frames for the canopy are generally made of steel or metal, though more traditional beds of wood are also easy to find.  High quality beds will last a lifetime, or at least until she is ready to leave home.

Photo via CustomHomesandRemodeling.net

Storage beds with towers optimize space and are great for girls (or parents) who need to organize clothes, toys, and books.  In the example above, the headboard is not just a decoration but comes with two cabinets and a cubby.  The towers on either side of the bed each have two adjustable shelves with a total of four cabinets and eight roomy cubbies.

Photo via PBTeen.com

 

Bunk beds are ideal for more than one child sharing a room or for a girl who likes to have friends for overnight stays.  The safety railing on the top bunk ensures your child won’t hurt herself when asleep.  Many beds are adjustable and if there is a wide discrepancy in ages, the bed on top could remain twin or single size, while the bottom could be upgraded to a double or full size.

Photo via Bunkbeds.net

Twin over full bunkbed; Photo via Bunkbeds.net

Loft beds are basically bunk beds with the bed on only the top and space underneath for storage or other uses.  When only one bed is needed, the space underneath is generally used for a futon/sofa (great for a guest room), a play area, or desk and work area.  Perfect for use after the child starts school, many loft beds come with computer desks, chairs and bookshelves.

Photo via Bunkbeds.net

Photo via Bunkbeds.net; a different configuration for a loft bed.

Will There be a Bed Under Your Tree?

If a child in your family is ready for a new bed, this information from Bunk Beds.com will hopefully help make you aware of some of your options.  We used a loft bed for a number of years when my boys were small and they loved playing underneath and making forts.  Would a little girl make the space a kitchen (or is that too stereotypical?)?

Be sure to stay with us over the next few weeks as we offer all sorts of holiday info and projects.  Also, we wanted to let you know that we are unavailable to start any further consultations until after January 1.  Just like you, we want to enjoy time with our families for the next month; so while we’d love to help with your dilemma, we hope you can wait til the first of the year.

 

Be Sociable, Share!