Cosy Dreams: The Best Kids’ Beds and Cribs for Every Stage 

As a parent, there’s nothing better than tucking your little one into their cosy bed at night. Restful sleep is essential at every stage of a child’s development, so finding the right crib or bed is a must. Whether you need a crib for your new nursery, have a toddler ready to make the transition into a kids’ bed, or are looking for the perfect bed for your older child, it’ll be sweet dreams every night when you follow our parent-approved guide.  

The importance of sleep 

Children need sleep. A lot of sleep. To support developmental milestones, infants need to get 16 hours of sleep a day, toddlers require between 11 and 14 hours, school-age children need up to 9 hours, and teens should sleep between 8 and 10 hours a night.  

Sleep is vital for physical growth and development, as it is during slumber that the body synthesises its growth hormones. Young brains rely on sleep to help them consolidate memories, and research shows that sufficient sleep makes children happier, healthier, and better learners. 

With all these hours spent in the land of nod, children need a snug spot to rest their heads, so how do you go about choosing the right crib or bed? 

Your ultimate crib checklist 

Your infant can sleep in a standard-sized crib for at least the first 18 months of their life. Choosing a crib is one of the most important decisions when preparing a nursery for your new arrival. As you browse different designs, you can't help but picture your baby sleeping soundly, but how do you ensure you're choosing the right crib? There are several factors to consider, starting with the most important one: safety. 

Safe sleeping requirements 
A well-made crib is one of the safest places for a newborn to sleep. The crib itself should be crafted from non-toxic materials. Crate and Barrel’s crib range includes designs that are Greenguard Gold Certified, meaning all their materials are safe for your infant and the wider home.  

A crib's slats should be sturdy, and parents must take notice of the spacing between them. To keep their little limbs safe, the gaps between slats should be no less than 2.5 cm and no more than 6 cm. It's also essential to ensure there are no gaps between the mattress and the side of the crib, and the mattress should be firm, not soft. 

We understand the importance of sleep safety for parents, so you'll find cribs that meet ASTM International Safety Standards in our range, providing complete peace of mind. 

Durability 
Many of Crate and Barrel’s crib designs feature hardwood, such as our best-selling Babyletto Lolly 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, crafted from solid pine. Wooden cribs offer both a charmingly traditional aesthetic and superb durability, making them a suitable choice for any nursery interior design scheme. If you're looking for a more contemporary look, our sturdy metal cribs, such as the Larkin, are just right for standing up to the rigours of a growing tot. 

Versatility 
Crate and Barrel values design ingenuity. Many of the cribs in our stylish selection are fully convertible, such as the popular Redondo Two-Tone Crib. This converts into an adorable toddler bed (with the option to purchase a toddler rail), giving you up to three years of use.  

Though your baby may be tiny, their wardrobe can be expansive. Not to mention their collection of blankets, cotton swaddle cloths, diapers, and supplies. This makes our cribs with integrated storage an exciting addition to a nursery. The Mira Natural Oak Convertible Crib with Storage boasts a delightfully classic design, with two oh-so-handy drawers beneath the mattress.

Finding the best bed 

With Crate and Barrel's convertible cribs, you're little one can have a safe spot to sleep up until around the age of three. As kiddos enter their toddler years, many are ready for their first "big" bed. If you choose a standard twin-size bed, you'll benefit from many years of use; as they get a little older, they may crave the space of a full-size bed. Both sizes are available in our kids' beds range.

Whatever their age, it's a great idea to consult with your child when purchasing a bed for them. At the end of a long day, they're far more likely to crawl into a bed they chose themselves. To help you find the right design for their bedroom, keep the following in mind. 

Honour their aesthetic 
Crate and Barrel's kids' bed range includes styles that suit all tastes. For younger children, finding a bed they love aesthetically can help to make bedtimes stress-free. We've got kid-friendly colour palettes, including headboards and frames in soft pastels, such as the cute Pismo Natural Upholstered Twin bed. And, to really make bedtime a dream, there are canopy beds, like the Jenny Lind Twin Wood Spindle Canopy. School-age children and teens may prefer the tones and finishes of Crate and Barrel's metal frame beds, as well as darker-painted woods and rattan designs to explore. 

Space savvy designs
As children get older, they acquire more belongings. Space can be at a premium in your kids’ bedroom, so why not consider a loft bed? The Grayson Natural Brown Oak Wood Kids Storage Loft Bed is a great example, with its shelves for all their bits and bobs and space underneath to place a work desk or play area. Bunk beds are always a smart idea if you want to free up more floor space, and they're just right for siblings who share a room and to provide somewhere for your kids’ buddy to snooze at sleepovers. Crate and Barrel’s new Beau Upholstered Dark Brown Oak Wood Kids Bunk Bed has a timeless design that’ll see a child right the way through into their teens. 

Styled for sweet dreams 
Just like our cribs, each bed in our range offers a child-safe, durable design that meets exacting international standards. Once you’ve selected a bed where your kid can sleep comfortably, turn your attention to the finishing touches, like fun or trendy breathable cotton bedding, colourful and novelty shams, and let’s not forget – they're never too old for their favourite teddy bear. 

When you follow our parent-approved guide, you can lay your baby down in their crib or watch your child snuggle into their bed, content in the knowledge that they’ll sleep safely and soundly.