How To Spot Quality Kid Furniture

I am looking for some new kid furniture for my daughter’s room but how do I know a quality piece when I see it?

Shopping for kid bedroom furniture can be both a fun and overwhelming experience. With so much selection on the marketplace sometimes it’s hard to spot quality kid bedroom furniture pieces when you see them.

Good kid furniture construction is important if you’re looking to outfit your child with quality kid bedroom furniture that she can grow up with.

First let’s look at the different types of furniture wood. Quality kid bedroom furniture is made of either hardwood or softwood which is pretty straightforward since there are only two types of wood that grows in the forest. That said, the variety of hardwood and softwood from which quality kid furniture is made can be pretty extensive.

For hardwoods we have pecan, teak, walnut, cherry, mahogany, maple, oak, ash and popular. For top of the line kid furniture hardwood is your best bet. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees and is considerably more durable than softwoods.

Softwoods on the other hand, include redwood, fir, pine, cedar and cypress. While a softwood can still be the basis of a well-constructed piece of furniture it’s not the best kid bedroom furniture choice. The problem being is it doesn’t stand the test of time as well as pieces crafted from hardwood will.

That said, solid wood furniture may not always be your best choice in kid bedroom furniture. Many retailers also carry quality ‘veneer’ kid furniture. At one time veneers (thin sheets of hardwood which are glue to a less expensive base) were thought to be inferior. Today’s veneer furniture is gaining popularity as many veneers are made stronger and are more durable than solid wood. You see, over time wide boards of solid wood have a tendency to warp and crack with changes in the weather where as veneer over plywood does not.

It’s important to note that a ‘solid wood’ label does not mean that the entire item is made exclusively in solid wood. Plywood and particle board may be used as a composition board in non-exposed parts of the furniture. This is usually the case in quality kid furniture in the mid price range. You’ll find an even greater use of composition boards in cheaper lines of furniture.

Genuine wood on the other hand, indicates that all exposed parts of the kid furniture are made of a particular wood veneer.

A ‘wood’ label basically indicates that no parts are made with anything other than wood.

Kid furniture with a ‘man-made’ label usually refers to materials like plastic laminate panels that are made to look like real wood. Additionally furniture of this type may be accented with molded plastic that resembles wood carving or trim.

Following is a list of things to consider when you’re on the look out for quality kid furniture.

• The finish on any kid furniture should be smooth to the touch. The exception to this is a distressed finish which is supposed to have that worn, aged look and feel to it.

• If you’re considering kid bedroom furniture that has a veneer or laminate finish, be sure that is joins up well to the base material.

• Look for strong construction at the joints (or the spot where one part fits into another).

• Cabinet doors should open and close with ease.

• Quality kid furniture pieces will have well fit drawers that glide easily and have stops so the drawers don’t come right out.

• Staples or nails, does not a good drawer make. A well constructed drawer is held together by grooves. Staples are indicative of inexpensive furniture and should never be used to join any part of the furniture which bears weight. Nails are one step up from staples but remain inferior to the strength and durability of tongue and groove joints.

• Another sure sign of a quality drawer is that it has dovetail joints (joined with notches) and the interior is smooth and sealed.

• Any kid bedroom furniture with long shelves should be adequately supported. Center supports are a good way to identify a quality piece over a cheap imitation.

• Quality pieces will have back panels that are screwed directly into the frame. Additionally any joints which bear weight should be reinforced with corner blocks.

• Last but not least, all hardware should be solid and secure. This includes strong hinges that are properly aligned.

  So as you can see, there’s more to quality kid bedroom furniture than what it looks like on the surface. With a little comparison shopping you’ll be able to spot quality kid furniture with no problem at all.

  
  

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