Practical and sturdy
Furniture in a children’s room can take a beating. Sometimes it is a cave, a castle or a trampoline and can even fly to the moon. That is why not only should it be nice but also practical and sturdy, functional and tough. Rounded corners and a firm position help to prevent injuries when the children are playing. Drawers should be prevented from sliding right out of their fittings. A high chair should be sturdy enough such that a child is able to climb up it on its own. Look for the “GS” label here.
But take your time. Once you have got the cot and baby changing table the rest can be acquired bit for bit. If you choose sturdy furniture, which can “grow” with the child then you and the child will get the most enjoyment out of it. This is not the only reason for choosing solid wood furniture.
Tough and non-toxic
Solid wood furniture is non-toxic and, depending on the wood type, tough, easy to repair and durable. The wood should only be treated with non-toxic varnish, oil or wax (e.g. bees wax) – even if you intend to treat it yourself. Make sure that the paint and varnish is resistant to saliva and sweat, as children love to put things in their mouths.
Fortunately, many dangerous substances have been banned in the EU. Others, on the other hand, have not even a threshold for exposure. Formaldehyde glue is used for manufacturing chipboard wood and is, therefore, found in a lot of furniture. If a lot of this furniture is found in the room, the safe level of exposure concentration can easily be surpassed. Furniture with plastic or a plastic coating should be avoided as they may contain harmful softeners.
The “GS” label is a good guide for safety aspects. Where possible choose wood from sustainable sources marked with an FSC logo. Consider second-hand furniture which has already ‘off-gassed’.
