Share this on

Storage, versatility key

By Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 3/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

In 2006, about 5.3 million U.S. households spent roughly $5 billion buying furniture for youth bedrooms and other adult bedrooms, according a survey conducted last year by the New York-based TNS for Kids Today and its sister publication, Furniture/Today. Although the survey did not differentiate between pieces bought for kids’ rooms versus other rooms, more than two-fifths had children under the age of 6 at home, and another 16% had children between 6 and 18. With those figures, it’s easy to glean that a large number of people were making purchases to outfit a child’s room.

So what are they buying?

Manufacturers from across a range of youth categories said that storage, customization options and versatility are key to consumers, both parents and kids. The top-selling groups from many suppliers meet at least one, if not all, of those criteria.

Curtis Wenke, product manager for Stanley Furniture’s Young America division, said the company’s best-selling group is myHaven, a cottage group that is offered in 20 colors, including vibrant painted colors, core colors and wood tones. Wenke said many customers are choosing to mix and match, creating their own look. “We’re seeing the personalization and customization trend,” he said. “(It gives you) the opportunity to differentiate yourself.”

Anne Russell, vice president of merchandising for importer The Powell Co., echoed that sentiment. Its Little Miss Matched collection, just introduced at the fall High Point market, is already its best-selling girl’s group. The collection is composed of two lines – Sketchorama, a wood group covered with dry-erase surface, allowing girls to draw and write right on the furniture; and Switcharoo, a metal group with interchangeable colored and patterned panels. Russell said the group’s versatility was a big factor in its success, plus it allows “girls to change and grow with the product as they grow. In part because of the reception, Powell plans to debut a similar product for boys at High Point next month.

At Broyhill Home Furnishings, keeping up with different styles and tastes means offering a breadth of product, said Linda Moretz, merchandise manager of youth furniture. “We are seeing many new programs with several color choices that allow kids and teens to customize their rooms with their color of choice, no matter what their style preference,” she said. “We have introduced collections that fit into a range of lifestyle choices such as rustic, country, transitional, sophisticated casual and contemporary, all available in finish choices. We feel that style categories shouldn’t be limited to only one finish.”

Along with customization, multipurpose pieces and storage options drive sales in the youth business. Laura Lind, owner of Fun Furnishings, which makes foam furniture and accessories for toddlers through teen, said flexibility is a huge selling point for her products. The top seller is the teen chair, a sectional that can be used as a chair, but also folds out for lounging or sleeping. The floor pillows can be stacked to create a stool or a unique nightstand, Lind said. Both are offered in myriad solid colors and patterns.

Wenke said Young America’s Hampton Pointe series, introduced last year, was designed to offer a plethora of storage compartments, particularly for media components. The Built-to-Grow wall system offers bookshelves, a hutch and shelves that can be arranged to house a flat-screen TV, game system and more. And the company has also added an entertainment center to house a TV and other electronic items.

Moretz noted that Broyhill is also designing groups with function and storage in mind. “Teens want to have a place to hang out with their friends and need space to store their game equipment and other computer needs,” she said. “…You’ll see several of our new collection include storage areas for laptops, wire management for iPod charging, and media units that are designed specifically for flat-screen TVs.”

As has been the case for the last couple of years, dark finishes in contemporary styles, particularly those targeted to tweens and teen, continue to command attention. Lind noted that her best-selling colors for the teen and college market are brown, navy, black and red. Wenke said that Young America has noticed the trend and accordingly offer Hampton Pointe and GenAmerica, another fairly recent introduction, in finishes such as dark merlot. “It’s just where the marketplace is going.”

And although sales of full beds for youth are on the rise, manufacturers said twin remains their best-selling size. Monica Hill, brand manager for mattress maker Simmons Kids, said the company has seen an increase in demand for different sizes, including twin XL, a longer version of the standard twin mattress. She also noted that the company’s two youth lines, Slumber Time and Beautyrest Beginnings, are available in either a standard height or “RiteHeight,” a lower profile version designed to fit bunk beds and trundles better. “Parents are starting to value the quality of a good night’s sleep,” she said.

In addition to increase demand on more sizes, Hill she has seen that people are more interested in eco-friendly products. The company recently introduced a Natural Care Latex Baby mattress. “We are trying to make products that meet our customers’ needs,” she said.

Company, location, contact information	Case goods	Child-size furniture	Gliders, rockers	Lofts, bunks	Youth beds	Storage	Other
	Products and price ranges
A.P. Inds.	H	H		H	H
Laurier-Station, Quebec, Canada, 800-463-0145
A.P. Inds. is a Canadian manufacturer of bedroom furniture, including a youth line with beds and case goods in multiple finishes and two-tone finishes.
ACME FURNITURE INC	LMH	LM	LM	LM	LM	LM
City of Industry, Calif., 626-964-3456
Acme Furniture provides functional furniture for youth and teens in a range of styles, finishes and practicality. Besides color and styles, the company also offers affordable pricing.
American Kids Furniture		H
Hickory, N.C., 828-962-3889
American Kids Furniture offers a selection of classic styles inspired by traditional fine furniture. The line, made in Hickory, N.C., features vivid colors and monogramming.
Argington	M	M		H	M	H	M
Brooklyn, N.Y., 718-218-8508
Argington offers modern youth furniture (as well as kid size and nursery collections) made with sustainable design. Pieces include trundle beds, bunks, bookcases and more; it uses 99% wood products in it’s furniture, with virtually no MDF, particle board, flake board or other similar engineered wood products. The wood comes from managed renewable forests.
Atlantic Furniture	M	M		M	M	M
Springfield, Mass., 800-955-3726
With more than 25 years in the furniture industry, Atlantic custom designs, manufactures and imports solid hardwood furniture using a high build, five-step finishing process that produces a product resistant to water and scratching. The line ships from stock.
Baseline Licensing Group		M	M				M
Norfolk, Va., 757-626-1520
Makes officially licensed furniture with authentic team logo appliqués. Offers children’s recliners, video rockers, head boards and mattresses. Made in the United States.
BEDROOM DISTRIBUTORS	LMH			LMH	LMH	M	LMH
Fort Worth, Texas, 817-923-5010
Family-owned and operated importer that offers bunk beds, captain’s beds, case goods, loft groups, futons and more.
Bolton Furniture Co.	M			M	M	M	M
Morrisville, Vt., 802-888-7974
Bolton Furniture distributes four collections that are offered in five finishes and includes twin, full, bunks, study lofts, sleep/study/storage systems and more.
Bratt Decor	H	H			H	H	H
Baltimore, 888-242-7244
Bratt Decor manufactures high-end furnishings for infants and youth. Youth products include day beds, trundle beds and case goods.
Broyhill Home Furnishings	M	M		M	M	M
Lenoir, N.C., 828-758-3111
Broyhill Home Furnishings offers wooden case goods and upholstery for every room in the home, including youth bedroom. Headquartered in Lenoir, N.C., Broyhill is a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International.
Canwood Furniture	M			M	M	M
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, 250-493-5656
Canwood Furniture’s solid wood, ready-to-assemble juvenile product lines are produced with a clear lacquer finish. Bunk beds start at $579 retail. All bunk and loft beds have been tested by an independent third party to comply with all CPSC and ASTM regulations.
Canyon Furniture	M	M		M	M	M
Tijuana, 619-662-3913
Youth beds and case goods, including the licensed Disney Hannah Montana collection.
Color and Life Teen Furniture	M			M	M	M
San Diego, 858-586-1400
Color and Life Teen Furniture integrates a contemporary aesthetic and an extensive color palette that will transition with the changing tastes of trendsetting youth and teens. Each product incorporates clean lines, bold colors and functionality to fit any decor. The product lines available include multi-functional platform beds, bright studded single beds, all-inclusive loft beds, innovative storage units and space-saving desk units.
Dakota Trading	M	M		MH	M	M
Corona, Calif., 951-898-6620
Large selection of beds, bunks, lofts, underbed storage options and case pieces in up to six finishes per collection. Standard construction features include solid wood fully finished English dovetail drawers with suspension ball bearing drawer glides and finished case backs.
Delta Children’s Products		LM	LM		LM	L
New York, 212-736-7000
Delta Children’s Products offers furniture that has a modern touch with the help of licensees such as Disney Princess, Cars, Dora the Explorer and more.
Designer’s Secret	MH	MH			MH	MH	MH
Cincinnati, 513-752-1023
Specializes in hand-painted children’s furniture. The focus is producing heirloom quality pieces of furniture that are timeless. All products are made and finished in the United States.
ducduc		H		H	H	H
New York, 212-226-1868
Ducduc is made in its own manufacturing facility in Connecticut using non-toxic finishes (no lead paint) and sustainable hardwoods. Offers custom sizes, finishes and colors.
Dutailier	MH			MH	MH	MH
St-Pie, Quebec, Canada, 450-772-5526
Furniture is built from solid wood (birch, maple or beech) except for the sides and some assembly components. The beds are built from 100% solid wood (birch, maple or beech) except for panel beds that are made from wood veneers. Offers more than 30 finish options. All bed side rails are assembled with screws instead of hooks to ensure maximum solidity and safety, and the company uses non-toxic lacquers that are lead-free.
Forever Young Youth Furnishings by Opus Designs	M			M	M	M
Martinsville, Va., 276-632-2133
Forever Young Youth Furnishings by Opus Designs, a division of Hooker Furniture, offers a broad selection of furnishings in all style categories.
Fun Furnishings		M	M
Manhattan Beach, Calif., 310-939-1006
Designs and makes foam furniture for tots to teens. All products made using fire retardant foam and strong upholstery-grade fabrics in fun colors and patterns. New in 2008, all products are slip covered.
Furniture Basics	L			L	L
City of Industry, Calif., 626-965-5860
Cottage-style birch case goods and beds at value prices designed to mix with multiple decors.
Green Frog Art	M	M				M	M
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., 904-280-3903
Green Frog Art manufactures artfully designed children’s furnishings. Youth line includes dressers, toy chests, table and chair sets and step stools in addition to accessories and nursery furniture.
Khoury Furniture	M	M		M	M	M	M
Kingsford, Mich., 906-774-6333
Khoury Furniture features four collections that are certified by SmartWood — Echo Lake, Louisville, Magnolia and Parkview. These collections are available in a water-based finish that is environmentally safe.
Lea Inds.	M	M		M	M	M
High Point, N.C., 336-294-5233
Lea is a manufacturer of moderately priced youth, second bedroom, vacation home and condominium furniture. Lea offers a wide assortment of styles for boys and girls, with a broad selection of poster canopy beds, bunk beds, loft beds, storage beds, dual sleep beds, student desks and learning centers for today’s youth.
Legacy Classic Kids	M			M	M	M	M
High Point, N.C., 336-449-4600
Wide range of youth styles. Finishes including new colors (red, black, green). Variety of bed choices and storage/study options. Offers game/tv friendly armoires and bookcases and student desk. Queen sizes allow line to sell well as second bedroom/small bedroom source.
Legare Furniture							M
Fort Worth, Texas, 817-737-8802
Legare’s modular, reversible designs include media centers, corner and straight desks, bookcases and more. Pieces are designed to be built in about three minutes without tools, screws or bolts. Available in a variety of finishes.
Levels of Discovery		M				M	M
Roselle, Ill., 866-980-2536
Line includes rocking horses, step stools, table and chair sets, potty training chairs, bookcases, clothestands/growth charts, easels, jewelry cabinets and vanities.
Martinek Bebe	MH	MH	H			H
Dallas, 800-852-9712
Product line for youth includes hand-carved and solid wood armoires, dressers, table and chair sets, benches and a glider rocker and ottoman.
New Classic Home Furnishings, Inc	LM	M		LM	LM
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 909-484-7676
New Classic makes bedroom furniture to last from pre-school to teen years. Products range from contemporary to country to traditional and finishes include white painted, espresso, cherry and oak stains. Most collections include bunks and twin/full beds, dressers, mirrors, chests and desks. Drawers are all wood, with French and English dovetails; solid bottoms on case goods; crafted of solids and veneers.
Newport Cottages	H	H		H	H
Riverside, Calif., 951-549-0590
Specialty line of youth and baby cottage furniture custom made in the United States. Each piece is benchmade from hardwoods and individually finished to order. Youth line includes beds, dressers, desks, bunk beds and accent pieces.
Oeuf		M			M
Brooklyn, N.Y., 718-965-1215
Oeuf’s new Sparrow Collection is a moderately priced line featuring simple, modern design. The collection includes a twin bed, nightstand and wardrobe. Offers European craftsmanship with a mid century flair, easy assembly and immediate availability.
Olivia & Will	MH				MH	M
Ladera Ranch, Calif., 949-547-5288
Manufactures heirloom quality children’s furniture, including Olivia’s Princess Castle, William’s King Arthur Castle, Olivia’s Mermaid and Captain Will’s Pirate collections.
Orleans Furniture	LM			LM	LM
Columbia, Miss., 601-736-9002
Orleans offers seven youth groups, all constructed of solid wood and wood veneers and available in these finishes: creamy white, white white, honey pine, merlot, traditional cherry, black and casual brown cherry. Twin and full beds and bunk beds.
Powell Co.	LM	LM	M	LMH	LMH	LM	M
Culver City, Calif., 310-204-2224
The Powell Co. supplies a variety of themed and practical youth collections. Has options for girls and boys as well as several unisex groups. Z-bedroom 2006 and Monster Bedroom 2004 are ASFD Pinnacle award winners.
Princess Canopy Beds		M			M	M
Bend, Ore., 541-280-1089
Toddler, twin and full size beds are made with a finishing technique called wood powder coating. Beds are sold with a choice of bedding options. Offers trundle flaps with each bed or working drawers along with decorative headboards in several shapes such as crowns or flowers.
Pulaski Furniture				M	M	M
Pulaski, Va., 540-994-5472
Broad line of beds, bunks, lofts and case goods, including licensed Build-a-Bear Workshop collections.
Romina Furniture	H	H		H	H
Maspeth, N.Y., 718-478-5100
100% solid wood baby and teen furniture, made in Europe with non-toxic organic finishes. Features German hardware and European beech wood. Line includes beds, bunk beds, case pieces and nursery furniture.
Russell & Mackenna	H			H	H	H
Jessup, Md., 301-725-6172
Hand crafted in Maryland by experienced woodworkers, the pieces are bench built using maple, poplar and maple veneers. Furniture is offered in 36 colors with frill and finial options and hardware for customization.
Scottish Christmas/ SC Sports		M
Lake Orion, Mich., 248-391-5700
Wooden table and chairs with official NFL team logos and colors.
Simmons Bedding Co.							LMH
Atlanta, 770-512-7700
Simmons Kids’ Beautyrest Beginnings and Slumber Time mattress lines are specifically designed to address the special sleep needs of children.
Sweet Beginnings	H			H	H	H	H
Delray Beach, Fla., 561-278-4414
Youth collection offers twin trundle beds, twin, full and queen size beds, nightstand and dressers. Consumers can choose from among existing themes and collections or Sweet Beginnings can design custom furniture and accessory collections.
Trade Winds	M				M	M
Charlotte, N.C., 877-284-4880
Trade Winds Furniture is an importer of painted and lightly distressed furniture, including youth, at a medium price point.
Trendwood	LM			LMH	LH	LM
Phoenix, 602-416-7800
Trendwood manufactures solid pine youth bedroom furniture in a modern factory in Phoenix at low to medium price points.
University Loft Co.	M			M	M
Greenfield, Ind., 800-423-LOFT
Univerity Loft manufactures beds and case goods in a variety of finish options and styles ranging from contemporary to traditional. Line includes lofts and seating options, among others.
Vermont Precision Woodworks	H			MH	H		H
Morrisville, Vt., 802-888-7974
Vermont Precision is a manufacturer of high-end youth bedroom furniture. Products are made using maple and cherry hardwoods. Offers 12 finishes and two-toning options on most collections. See Bolton Furniture for other products.
Vermont Tubbs	M			M	M	M	M
Brandon, Vt., 80-.247-3414
Product is domestic and hand crafted by one craftsman per piece in Brandon, Vt. Each piece is signed and dated by the craftsman. Uses solid ash and birch. Offers 36 finishes and 11 types of hardware pulls, and product ships in three weeks. Produces youth beds, bunks, dressers, chests, armoires, bookcases, desks and more.
Young America	M			M	M	M
Stanleytown, Va., 276-627-2000
Young America focuses on developing furniture for babies through teens that offers solid design, function, safety and quality. A division of Stanley Furniture Co.
Zocalo	M				M
San Francisco, 800-433-4650
Z Generation offers beds and case goods targeted to the teen market in contemporary styles and finishes.

The Madeline’s World eight-door chesser and mirror, by Forever Young Youth Furnishings by Opus Designs, is highlighted by subtle pink and green hand-painted accents against an eggshell finish. Mirror base and top, $199; chesser, $795; (276) 632-2133.

The cottage Little Cay desk from Russell & Mackenna is offered in 36 vivid colors, including Grasshopper, $1,900, (301) 725-6172.

Bolton Furniture’s Sleep Study Storage loft is now offered in a honey finish in addition to natural and white and a cherry stain, (802) 888-7974.

The Cottage headboard from Trade Winds features cut-outs between the slats and is offered in several finishes that have a casual distressed treatment, $420, (877) 284-4880.

Delta Children’s Products’ Cars gaming chair offers plugs for MP3 players, iPods and gaming systems, plus it folds down for compact storage, $109.88, (212)736-7000.

Young America’s GenAmerica courts the tween/teen set with a low platform bed, shown here in dark merlot, and matching case pieces with brushed nickel trim and pulls, (276) 627-2000.

Newport Cottages’ low-profile platform bed is flanked by a pair of Andies cabinets, all shown in stormy blue, (951) 549-0590.

Tea parties take an elegant turn with Green Frog Art’s Versailles table and chair set.

Argington’s modern Uffizi bunk hits a high style note with a vibrant orange and crisp white finish, $1,850, (718) 218-8508.

The Summer Breeze daybed from Legacy Classic Kids is shown in Casual Spring Green and is a look that can work in second bedrooms as well as beach homes, $499, (336) 449-4600.

The Slumber Time mattress from Simmons Bedding Co. is made with a durable coil unit that features a cover specially designed to help repel wetness and reduce indoor allergens on the mattress surface. Available in firm, plush and pillow top, $329 for twin set, (770) 512-7700.

Khoury’s Echo Lake collection is made of aspen and is certified by SmartWood by the Forest Stewardship Council, (906) 779-7159.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Featured Company

Panjiva

Panjiva is the leading intelligence platform for global trade professionals. With detailed information on 1.5 million companies that do business across borders, Panjiva is the go-to source for information for global trade professionals who want to find... more

Related Resources

On the Shelf

Gerri Hunt, managing editor of Kids Today
June 30, 2010
Scribbles & Bits
I've never been one to plaster things all over my fridge - magnets, notes,...
More

On the Shelf

Gerri Hunt, Managing Editor, Kids Today
April 18, 2010
Nurseries need rhymes, right?
Nurseries and rhymes Are a sign of good times That kids and parents can...
More

View All Blogs