Tips for Creating a Comfortable, Safe Room for Your Child

To Create the perfect room for your little one, keep in mind the six S's: safety, sleep, study, storage, socializing and style. Here are some key points for each:

• Safety. Look for such safety features like drawer stops in chests, dressers and desks; check for snug-fitting mattresses, and safety hinges on toy boxes and storage bins. Make certain that the corners of the pieces are rounded and anchor taller pieces to the wall so they can't be tipped over.
• Sleep. A kid's gotta rest. To ensure they sleep like lambs, look for "sturdy, solid hardwood posts, a roll of wood slats for mattress support and warp-free bed rails that strength and stability, as well as properly spaced spindles and slats that won't pinch fingers or toes," says Glenn Prillaman, senior-vice president of marketing and sales for Young America. Top it off with a quality mattress and comfortable bedding that the child helps select.
• Study. Create a flexible work/study area for your child that's well lit, free of distractions and equipped with a flexible desk with storage space that can adapt to the needs of a growing child. Look for a desk with a front key board attachment, file cabinet, CD storage and cubbyholes.
• Storage. Finding storage space for all that kid stuff has its own challenges, partly because kids often have a lot of stuff, and partly because they tend to occupy the smaller bedrooms in the house. So what's the solution? Young America suggests creating storage by design using "under-bed" options, dressers, chest of drawers, hutches, shelves, cubbyholes and display cabinets.
• Socializing. Children love having their friends over to spend the night. When thinking about this in context of design, a bunk or trundle bed can "add an extra sleeping area without taking up much space," according to Glenn. Additionally, your child's video games, CDs, computer, etc., should be accessible so they're easy to bring out for entertaining.
• Style. Look for timeless styles that can take the child from crib to college.