A child’s room changes fast. The cot becomes a bed, the toy boxes become school books, and a desk appears. Off-the-shelf furniture often has to be replaced at each stage. Well-planned fitted storage can adapt instead, with the same carcasses reorganised inside as needs change.
This guide covers the practical points for fitted storage in children’s rooms, from safety to layouts that grow with them.
Fix tall furniture securely
Tall units in a child’s room must be fixed securely to the wall so they can’t tip if a child climbs or pulls on them. Fitted furniture is fixed as part of the job, but the fixings have to suit the wall: solid brick, lath and plaster or stud partition all need different fixings.
Shelves that might be climbed should be fixed in place rather than resting loose on pegs.
Plan for change inside
The inside of a wardrobe can change more easily than the outside. A few ideas:
- adjustable shelves that can move as clothes get longer
- a low hanging rail now, with room for a higher rail later
- open shelves for toys that can later hold books or files
- space in a run of units for a desk to be added.
Planning the carcasses with this in mind means the furniture lasts much longer.
Storage children can reach
Children are more likely to tidy up if they can reach where things go. Low cupboards, open shelves and drawers at their height help. Higher cupboards can hold things they shouldn’t reach, or things used less often, such as spare bedding.
Think about how drawers and doors open. Light, easy-running drawers and doors that don’t swing into the play space are easier for small hands.
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Window seats and reading corners
A window seat with drawers or a lift-up lid underneath gives storage and a place to sit and read. Bay and sash windows in period houses are natural spots for them. Lift-up lids in a child’s room are best avoided or fitted with a stay that holds the lid open so it can’t drop.
If there’s a radiator under the window, the seat needs a grille or open front so the heat isn’t trapped. See window seats: bays, sashes and radiators.
Desks for homework
As children get older, they need a place to work. A built-in desk in an alcove or along a wall takes up less space than a standalone one, and shelves above keep books off the floor. Plan where the lamp, laptop and chargers will go. Any new sockets are for an electrician, but the furniture can leave space and routes for cables.
Our guide to designing a built-in home office has ideas that work for teenagers too.
Finishes that can be cleaned
Children’s rooms take a lot of wear. A painted finish with a wipeable sheen is easier to keep clean. Hand-painted finishes are easy to touch up after the inevitable knocks. Rounded edges on low surfaces can help in rooms for younger children. A colour that can be repainted easily later also makes it simpler to update the room as tastes change.
See choosing a paint finish and looking after painted furniture.
Quick answers
How do I make fitted furniture safe for a child’s room?
Fix tall units securely to the wall with fixings that suit it, fix climbable shelves in place, and avoid lids that can drop.
Can a wardrobe grow with my child?
Yes. Adjustable shelves, movable rails and space for a desk later let the same furniture work for many years.
Is a window seat a good idea in a child’s room?
It can be. Drawers are often better than a lift-up lid. If there’s a radiator below, the seat needs a grille so heat can escape.
Related services
More advice
- Storage Ideas for Small Bedrooms
- Window Seats: Bays, Sashes and Radiators
- Designing a Built-in Home Office
- Choosing a Paint Finish for Fitted Furniture
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.