Size matters in juvenile footprint

Size matters in juvenile footprint

by Gerri Hunt -- Kids Today, 11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Case goods are contained underneath the Mid Loft bed from Maxtrix. Even the desk is on casters so it can roll out of the way, 203-683-4895, maxtrixkids.com.

Recent trends in the juvenile industry include storage, technology and cross-over collections that can be moved from a child's room into a guest or master bedroom or a vacation home.

And now manufacturers are rethinking their designs, taking small rooms into consideration.

Traditionally, many youth lines evolve from an already-established adult line that gets a twin bed added to its mix. But Aspenhome, realizing master-size furniture may not fit in today's smaller rooms, has added not only twin beds, but smaller case goods.

“We see this category addressing smaller footprints that fit the youth buyer,” said Jena Hall, executive vice president of merchandising and design for bedroom, dining and occasional. “You can mix the master pieces with the youth pieces, and entertainment cabinets can cross-market for kids with video games.”

The case goods also have the high-function features already found in its home office lines, adding to its usage.

Aspenhome put electrical outlets in the drawers of its nightstands and desks; USB ports in the desk drawers; and a nightlight illuminates the floor in front of the nightstands. “We've been so responsive to technology that I've taken it into the bedroom,” said Hall.

Kendall, from Opus Designs by Hooker, offers urban casual appeal with a rustic touch in a medium brown cherry finish. It is shown with a full-size day bed with trundle storage below, and with a bunching dresser and tall bookcase as piers, to minimize floor space, 276-632-2133, opusdesigns.com.

Aspenhome's Cross Country collection includes a twin storage bed, scaled down dresser with mirror in the background, and a night stand that lights up the floor, 602-442-5600, aspenhome.net.

And some of Aspenhome's dressers have a door on the side that opens to reveal extra storage for jewelry, scarves and other items.

For Opus Designs by Hooker, the new Kendall collection fits into a small space.

“It's a living room look for the bedroom,” said Cindy Hall, Hooker merchandising manager. “It's an urban casual appeal for young kids to teens to tweens, who love to hang out and have a lot of stuff.”

The collection includes beds with bunching case goods such as dressers and tall or short bookcases that sit tightly against them.

“They have soft edges for safety, and three-prong outlets in back,” said Hall. “This is how kids live today, doing their homework, listening to music and hanging out with their friends.”

On the other end of the spectrum is Maxtrix, which has been making loft beds with storage units fitting snugly underneath. Bookcases, dressers, nightstands and desks slide perfectly into the same footprint of the bed.

“It's all specially made to fit into the Maxtrix system,” said Stephen Jensen, president. “People want options and choices.”

And in an effort to maximize space even more, the company has introduced its Ultra High Loft, six inches taller than its High Loft.

To extend the life of the furniture, Maxtrix pieces can be separated as well, so they can be arranged like a traditional bedroom with a bed, dresser, bookcase, etc. A beautifully-crafted crown molding and base kit with taller feet can be added to the freestanding case goods. The company has also added a more grown-up looking chestnut finish, “at the request of Southerners,” said Jensen.