When parents are choosing the right furniture for their children's rooms, be it beds, desks or chairs, they are usually taken in by the aesthetics of the designs. Safety should also be factored in, however.
A basic safety question should be about the paint used on the product. Jean-Pierre Brown, product development manager of Indigo Kids, says that the paint quality is an important factor to your child's health. 'The paint should be formaldehyde-free, lead-free and volatile organic compound-free [VOC]. Lead is a dangerous substance which can cause nervous system and kidney damage. VOCs can affect the environment and human health. The absence of formaldehyde lessens the chances of triggering respiratory infection and skin allergies in children,' says Brown, whose products are free of these types of chemicals.
Indigo Kids bedroom accessories include large-scale removable wall decals, cork boards for the study or bedroom, and a wooden-ball wall clock. For soft furnishings, Indigo Kids offers items such as bedspreads, cushions, sheets and pillowcases. 'The range brings vibrant reds, navy and cobalt blues as well as softer-hued pinks to brighten every day,' Brown says.
Joan Szeto, owner of Toys Club, says that parents whose children are aged 18 months to five years old should go for the toddler bed. 'It is small enough to fit the child and to give him a sense of security, and close enough to the ground so that he can get out easily on his own. It is a transitional stage for the child, but many parents choose the big bed and the child will resist sleeping in there and they end up taking him to their own bed.'
Toys Club offers furniture such as 'make to grow' desks and chairs from Artso of Taiwan and Moll of Germany. 'The tables and chairs can be adjusted to fit the height of a four-year-old and can also be used when the child becomes an adult,' Szeto says. 'Many kids, nowadays, spend a lot of time behind their desk on their computer so ergonomic tables and chairs are important for their healthy growth. Kids are complaining about back or shoulder pain [after] sitting for long hours behind a desk that doesn't fit them.'
Lucy McLennan, marketing manager of Bumps to Babes, says although bunks and high sleepers maximise space and storage, safety must be kept in mind when choosing these types of children's furniture. 'We do not recommend top bunks or high sleepers for children under six,' she says. 'Make sure that the bunk bed or high sleeper you choose is designed to meet safety standard EN747, and choose an appropriate mattress.'