5 Hot Trends in Children's Furniture

Children's furniture is arguably the most creative and exciting additions to your Library.  And there are endless options to choose from these days.  Not to mention, every Library is different, so you can easily walk into 5 consecutive Libraries and notice something new and unique in each one.  That being said, I've put together a quick list of some trends I'm seeing lately.  These may or may not be for everyone, but if there are any you like and might find useful, I hope these will inspire you to add them or a version of them to your own Children's spaces.

If you're not sure what other options you might have for children's furniture and you want to discuss some ideas, Schedule a free call with me today and let's chat about it!

5 Hottest Trends in Children's Furniture

#1  MAKER SPACE TABLES

I realize you all probably know about the maker space.  This concept has been around for some time now and does not seem to be losing any steam.  However, lately I'm seeing some more flexible options geared more toward children and I like what's out there!  These are on casters so they're easily movable.  And they have plenty of storage cubbies and a functional work surface for littles to create to their heart's content.  What I love most about these is that you can buy several and keep them put up until you're ready for a specific activity.  Then you just stock them with supplies and roll them out in the area you plan to use them.

They also come in lots of color options so they're super versatile to your design concept.  We've just recently specified some with red bases and butcher block tops for a Library we're working on in Watkinsville, Georgia.  The possibilities are endless and great for multi-use spaces.  Here's one from DEMCO that I found to give you an idea of some of the options out there:

#2  MOBILE TABLES

This one is slightly similar to the maker space tables, but used for a different purpose.  What I like about mobile tables is again, the ability to create more flexible, multi-purpose spaces for your Children's areas.  This area typically has the most programming and therefore is a space that requires a great deal of creative thinking and versatility.  So having a basic table on wheels can be super useful. 

The added bonus for this specific table is that it has fun, playful shapes too.  This gives it just a little more of a design element to make your space feel more exciting.  They can also be grouped together by connecting the shapes to create a community feel for any activity you might have planned. Check this one out, also from DEMCO:

#3  COZY READING NOOKS

These can be a maintenance nightmare when they're made of the wrong materials or they're filled with too many nook-like spaces.  But I like this one I found when doing a little research for reading nooks.  It's more narrow and really has just enough room for a couple of chairs.  But it's enough that it feels like a cozy isolated space for children. 

It also looks like you can nest them together to create multiple or larger nooks.  The color options are bold and vibrant so they naturally attract the attention of littles.  These are so fun!  Simple, colorful and easy to keep clean.

#4  SENSORY PANELS

Sensory panels aren't new either but I like that they can be mounted to walls, attached to cubes and many other configurations.  The other thing I like about them is the multiple age-appropriate options they carry.  Not to mention, these can be used for special needs patrons to encourage connectivity and motor skills.  While I feel like sensory panels have been around for a while, they don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon and most of them are easy to maintain.  I like the size of this one by Haba.  

#5  SMART TABLES

I feel like these are hit or miss from Library to Library.  But they are still pretty popular in Libraries I'm seeing.  They're also pretty expensive so if they fit in the budget and you feel like your patrons would be receptive to them, they're a pleasant addition.

What I love about this one in particular is that it's more of a large tablet but usable for multiple children at one time.  I like that it encourages children to play and interact together.  

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are so many great options out there for children's furniture.  I highly recommend soft seating (but with vinyl fabric for easy clean up), and plenty of tables with chairs.  Don't forget fun display furniture and maybe even seating closer to the ground for story time.  But mostly, make sure your spaces are conducive to change.  The more versatility you have, the easier it will be to grow your children's programs and encourage creative thinking.