July 7, 2025, 11:00 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Furniture in a child’s room should be safe. Ideally, it can even support the child’s development. Here’s what parents should consider when setting up the room.
Low beds, open shelves, clothes racks at eye level: Current furniture for toddlers looks modern and stylish. But often, it’s about a different, much older idea: encouraging children’s independence early on. This is the Montessori principle. It allows children free access to many everyday tasks–supporting their development. “The furniture is tailored to the size of the children,” explains Andrea Donath from the Montessori Association in Berlin. Many of these pieces fit the educational concept, and it starts early.
Finding Furniture for Toddlers
“When a child is born, they can already find rest and sleep in a small nest, the Cestina. This is placed on the floor so that even newborns can perceive their surroundings at eye level,” explains Donath.
Decorating and Securing a Low Bed
Cribs are not part of Montessori education. “It’s important that the child–except in seemingly dangerous areas–does not experience any restrictions,” says Donath. Initially, the mattress is placed on the floor. This way, the child can decide whether they want to lie down.
Related: 9 Mistakes When Setting Up Children’s Rooms
“From two to two and a half years old, the child’s mattress can be in a futon bed because the child is then walking and usually able to climb into the bed independently,” says Donath. The mattress size is not relevant, but the bed height is. “It must match the child’s gross motor skills,” the educator notes.
Currently, low beds resembling a tent or house are popular. “The frame of the bed is meant to convey a sense of security, like a small house,” says Christine Scharrenbroch from the Association of the German Furniture Industry. Some models allow parents to equip them with removable wall and roof panels. They can also decorate the frame–for example, with string lights or fabrics.
Even though children are not exposed to great heights, Andreas Kalbitz advises placing an additional mattress or a plush carpet in front of the bed. The managing director of the Federal Working Group “More Safety for Children” in Bonn warns: “Even a few centimeters of fall height can cause a laceration.”
Open Shelves and Clothes Racks at Eye Level
From the age of two to six, open, half-height shelves are also useful. “They help toddlers to pull themselves up and choose toys independently,” says Donath. It is, of course, important that the shelves are securely attached to the wall.
Parents should also make a preselection. “Three to four toys that can be rotated are enough,” advises Kalbitz. This allows the child to focus more intensely on one thing. And: “The fewer things on the floor, the fewer tripping hazards there are.”
Low furniture can tempt toddlers to climb. Here, light, padded mats in front of the furniture can help if the child slips.
Low clothes racks and open wardrobes also help promote children’s participation,” says Donath. She also recommends a selection here: “It’s enough to have two of each clothing item, such as two different pairs of pants, T-shirts, sweaters.”
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Choosing Growing Furniture and Quality for Toddlers
“To avoid constantly buying new furniture, it’s advisable to choose furniture series that grow with the child”–such as height-adjustable tables or expandable shelf modules, says Donath. Floor-level beds can be modified as the child grows. “Raising them with feet and bed drawers is often possible,” says Scharrenbroch.
For children’s furniture, wood materials and textiles are recommended because they create a cozy atmosphere. “For seat cushions or stools, the textile covers should be removable and washable,” advises Scharrenbroch.
Many pieces of furniture are now sold online. “In stores, you can better assess how the furniture is made,” says Kalbitz. Especially for toddler furniture, parents should pay attention to quality and certification marks. The most well-known are the GS mark for product safety and the Blue Angel environmental label. The German Furniture Quality Association awards the Golden M–for quality, durability, and environmental compatibility.