When it comes to decorating kid’s rooms and buying beds for kids, it’s easy to get caught up in the enchantment of it all. What parent doesn’t want their children to have a room that they’ll love to live and grow in? Sticking to a decorating budget can be tricky especially when kids have to share a room with a sibling.

Before you go and blow your entire decorating budget on that novelty golden carriage loft bed, remember how quickly children grow. The key to keeping up with your child’s growth and changing interests is to choose children’s beds that are practical and multi-functional.

Enter the trundle bed. History tells us that the trundle bed was first used by servants who had to be near the mistress to fan her with a feather on hot summer nights. In the morning, the handy bed on wheels would slide neatly under the main bed.

Today’s twin beds for kids can include a “hidden” trundle bed treasure- a perfect solution if space is at a premium and loads of fun for slumber parties. What’s more, you don’t have to buy your trundle unit right away. Start with a handsome Mate’s bed and add a second bed as your family grows.

When designing your child’s bedroom ample storage is important. Still, having too many dressers and storage units in a room can take up valuable activity space. To answer that need, clever children’s furniture manufacturers have designed kids storage beds that come with both a trundle bed and extra drawer space.

While shopping for beds, don’t forget the classic bunk bed. In fact, a favorite space saving trick in smart children’s bedroom design is to go up. Complete with guard rails and finished with non-toxic eco-friendly hardwoods, the contemporary bunk bed looks better than ever and is a safe bet. Remember when getting the top bunk made you feel special? With a trundle bed ready for overnight guests, sleeping on the bottom bunk just became a lot more fun.

Trundle beds may have been invented to indulge the rich but when it comes to kids trundle beds…three cheers for the inventor. Thanks for solving that long-standing “there’s a monster under my bed!” problem.

One of the most notable advantages to a platform bed is that it does not require box springs.  This pays off in ergonomics and economics.  The platform bed is structured with a slat system of support.  The mattress is placed directly on the slats, providing a firmer surface than box springs.  Further, the slats provide a solid base for more evenly distributed weight.  This is beneficial especially for those who suffer with chronic back pain.  If a less firm mattress is desired, today’s selection of pillow-tops can be used with the platform bed to give you extra cushion.  And since you don’t need box springs, you can invest more in a quality mattress.  You also save by not having to purchase a frame and rails as you customarily would when using box springs.

The platform storage bed affords an abundance of storage options that set it apart from traditional beds.  A storage bed allows you the option to add drawers that come in various styles.  This is a great option for a child’s room or a college dorm, where space is limited.  Some platform storage beds are designed specifically to allow for storage directly under the bed simply by lifting the entire slat platform for access.  This is beneficial when you have large items you’d like to store out of view.  This array of storage options gives the platform bed the ultimate in space-saving functionality. 

Storage is not the only element of the platform bed that offers choices.  The actual look of the bed can be changed as well.  The headboard free option is a great choice for a more minimalist look or for placing the bed in the center of a room, perhaps on a raised platform area.  Or for extra comfort and variety, many of these storage beds come with padded headboards that look great in bedrooms of any design style, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.  Matching footboards are yet another option.  The majority of platform beds feature contemporary lines, however, if a more traditional look is desired; there are platform beds available in wood or leather. 

Aesthetically, a platform bed can make a room appear larger because it sits closer to the floor, making the ceiling appear higher.  Platform beds can also take up a bit less space than the traditional bed frame, thus opening up more space surrounding the bed.  With its sleek, clean lines and multitude of options, the platform bed is a smart and savvy choice.