Furniture Space Savers for Children

Beds and Bedroom Sets

• Space-saving beds for children come in all shapes and sizes. The basic bunk bed is ideal for a shared bedroom, allowing the extra floor space to be utilized by other furniture. Loft beds for younger children provide a play or storage space under the raised bed while it can double as a desk area where older children can do homework. Under-bed storage options and captains beds can eliminate the need for a dresser in the room. Unique furniture options can even combine several pieces into one -- for example, a loft bed with a built-in dresser and desk below becomes an all-in-one bedroom set.

Play and Work Surfaces

• Young and old children can benefit from a table or work surface that doubles as a storage area. A lift-top desk can be used by an older child as a surface for doing homework, and provides a storage area underneath for school supplies and books. A short table with a lift-up top, or storage baskets below, can become a play table for a younger child. Painting a road map or other creative mural on the table top is ideal for providing hours of play.

Storage Seating

• Bench, window and chair seating can all have storage compartments built into them to provide a double duty seat and storage area. These storage areas help organize clothes toys and games that might otherwise cause clutter in a child's bedroom.

Shelving

• There are many ways to use shelving to save space in a child's room. Shelving that doubles as a doll house can be used for playing and organizing books and toys at the same time. Wall shelves that provide pegs for hanging clothes, bags, and backpacks save space. Sling shelves are space savers that you can add to narrow areas. They hug the wall and are fitted with canvas slings to hold books and other flat items. Shelves that are combined with drawers or storage baskets hide some items while displaying others.