The Best Kids’ Beds, According to Experts and Designers

We’ve recommended the Sleepi in our toddler bed buying guide, but did you know it’s more generously sized than most toddler beds? “I'm 5'4 and can lay in it too,” says Katrina Peralta, the founder of Livlet Studio in Brooklyn. “You can drop the side and then add the extender to be a toddler bed, but what I also like about the toddler size is you can still adjust it up and down as the kiddo gets adjusted to not rolling out.” It requires a special mattress, but Peralta says you can just tuck in a regular twin fitted sheet.

Multiple designers pointed to this classic design. Dallas interior designer Lisa Henderson says, “Jenny Lind takes the cake! The nostalgic shape and transitional style make it the ideal bed for any kid’s room.” Professional organizer Elise Hay agrees, noting its design longevity. “I choose the Jenny Lind because it’s a classic that can be styled in various ways and will still suit my daughter as a teen,” she says.

“This bed is luxurious and mature, so it can grow with your child and there are a variety of color options and sizes,” says designer Daniella Hoffer. Channeled upholstery has been having a moment the past couple of years, but is still timeless enough to last for years to come.

Shamika Lynch, the designer behind Maximizing Tiny Interiors and a mom of two, likes a bed in a versatile color with a minimalist frame. “The wood is a nice tone that's gender-neutral and age-neutral," she says. "It can work for a new toddler or a pre-teen and with a variety of aesthetics without being too bold or too boring.” Lynch also notes that the headboard gives it presence in the room, but its slim profile and lack of footboard mean it's a good choice for a tight space.

Mom of three Shelly Rosenberg, the principal designer of Acorn & Oak, an interior design firm specializing in homes for families raising children with disabilities and special needs, says, “When it comes to kids’ beds, I love to go simple and soft. I love that this upholstered bed can be wrapped in the fabric of your choice.” The Inside has over 100 fabrics in stock, so there’s something for every style.

"In addition to being both modern and attractive, the space saving design has a practical bench at the foot for sitting or for placing objects,” says interior designer Jacqueline Schmidt, who lives in Brooklyn with her two sons. “It is also compatible with a trundle which is so useful in a small space when you have sleepovers. The security rail is a major plus too." Jennifer Jones, the founder of Niche Interiors, seconds this Oeuf pick as a great sustainable option.

If money is no object, Niche Interiors’ Jones also loves this heirloom-quality day bed. “It’s made of solid domestic wood (no MDF) and it’s beautifully crafted with a natural oil finish,” she says. You could use it in an office or living room once your child has flown the coop.

“A daybed is great for space planning because it can tuck against a wall and leave the floor space open for playing. You can also add a trundle underneath for sleepovers,” says Jennifer Stoner, a designer and mom of two. “Add a fun wallpaper behind the bed and you have a stylish bedroom without much work.”

Ehrlich also loves a daybed for its optional trundle, but prefers an upholstered frame. “Pottery Barn Kids’s daybeds are available in many textile options and are eco-friendly with Greenguard certification,” she says.