Options abound at House of Bedrooms Kids

With furniture filling most of this 16,000-square-foot space in West Bloomfield Hills, House of Bedrooms Kids is definitely a destination for parents and kids seeking youth furniture.

House of Bedrooms Kids has been a stand-alone store since 1997, but its history goes back before that. Bob Goldman opened the original House of Bedrooms in 1962, and the store carried a selection of youth furniture. Over the years, the demand for kids furniture grew, so in the mid-90s, a 20,000-square-foot store for adult furniture was built across the street, and the old building was designated a youth furnishings store. Goldman's sons, Dan and Jeff, now run the store.

Dave Biauce, general manager of House of Bedroom Kids, also is the buyer and shops the High Point market. Vendors include Young America, Lea Inds., Vaughan and Tradewins; Young America, A.P. Inds. and El Greco, formally My Room, for nursery furniture; California Kids and Pine Creek for textiles; and Serta and Colgate for mattresses. Biauce said twin beds retail between $200 and $800, with $500 being the top-selling price point. He added that full beds are becoming very popular, though, and estimated that the selling ratio between twin and full is about 60/40. House of Bedrooms Kids stocks most of what it sells in a 70,000-square-foot warehouse, and the store offers free delivery within a 50-mile radius.

The store features about 50 furniture groups on the floor, with a small clearance section in the back. The groups are arranged in vignettes put together by store designer Colleen Kot and fully accessorized with bedding, lamps, bookends and more. One vignette features a Harry Potter theme, complete with a coordinating table and chair set, hanging light fixture, wallpaper and more. With so many collections on the floor, there is a varied mix of product, but Biauce said certain looks, such as white embellished groups like Young America's Isabella collection, are constant top-sellers. "The winners are always winners," he said.

The store has 15 full-time staffers, and the sales team works on full commission. Biauce said manufacturer reps often come in to go over their new lines, keeping the salespeople educated on the latest products.

To draw people in, House of Bedroom Kids advertises regularly in the newspaper and occasionally does radio spots. Once potential customers are through the door, the store keeps kids occupied by offering special events such as Easter egg hunts or by simply providing a television where they can watch cartoons as mom and dad shop. The kids also can play with the two store pooches, Sidney and Tyler. The Bichon Frises have been a part of the kids store since its opening in 1997 and have developed quite a following. "(Kids) still have fun while they are here," Biauce said.

But children aren't left completely out of the process. Biauce said they often are part of the decision making. "A lot of parents get the kids involved to a degree," he said.

Although youth furniture accounts for about 90% of sales, the store is actively working to grow its baby market. Several cribs are set up around the store, and Dan Goldman said he'd like to eventually add more changing tables, dressers and other nursery furniture to round out the juvenile offerings.

"We are committed to becoming the best kids store in the state of Michigan," Goldman said.

House of Bedroom Kids floors about 50 furniture groups, including this look for teens.

Bunks and lofts are popular because they maximize storage and space, said general manager David Biauce

Young America's Isabella collection remains at top seller.

The Harry Potter vignette, with bed and case pieces from Young America, draws kids in.