Planning ahead for next furniture purchase---kids related

calico77

At what age would you purchase a nice bedroom set for your child that they can take with them when they leave the house for good/after college?  I want to wait to get past potentially destructive crayons/stickers/marker stage....DS is 5 right now.

I'm thinking wait until they are a teenager?  He is currently in the double bed that his crib converted to and using the dresser/nightstand that coordinated from when he was an infant.  We did not buy a traditional changing table when he was an infant but the quality of the furniture we do have is not exceptional either.

suzymarie

Never, IMO.

I would never assume the style I picked out for my kid would be something they actually want as an adult.  How could you possibly predict that?  And how can you know what size of bed they will want/need?  

I would get what YOU like, and assume it might stay at your house as guest room furniture when they move out.  Or if they take it, great.

WRT kids destroying furniture, hard to predict.  I have the twin bed my dad made me as a kid.  It is solid white oak, and he finished it with oil.  It looks brand new after 25 years.  But I doubt you can buy a bed that would last that well with rough kids.  

SailorGray

I wouldn't buy anything with the idea that they will take it when they go.  My IL did this and we were stuck with this UGLY bedroom set from the 80's. I hated it, but it was good furniture (ie not Ikea), so my H wanted to keep it.  Luckily, he realized just how ugly it was and it is now back at his parents. 

I know a lot of people do this and their intentions are good, but I would just get something that YOU will want to keep around and maybe your LO will want to take down the line. I just wouldn't get anything special with the main intent being for them to take it when they leave.

Kimee13

Never!  My parents bought me a beautiful(and ridiculously expensive) Cherry bedroom set and then when I moved out on my own I felt horribly guilty selling it dirt cheap on CL because it was not my style anymore. 

 

SSM&JLM

I wouldn't expect children to take their furniture with them and I know my parents didn't expect that of me.

I had cargo wood furniture.  That stuff is heavier than all get out.  Yes it was indestructible, but OMG the moving of it totally blows.

Mokie

My parents bought be a twin bed, dresser and nightstand when I was almost 2, because my brother was born and he needed the crib.  The put rails up on the bed and I was fine, and I also never did anything to destroy the bed/dresser/nightstand.

The set is still at my parents house; it is definitely not my style but still in good shape.

Mrs Acorn Blue

My H's parents got him a really nice furniture set when he was 10.  We use the dresser, desk and chair in our guest room.  The beds were bunkbeds...not really practical since we don't have kids so now we have to store them in the basement and H won't part with them.  While it's not really my style, it is neutral enough to work and it was one less room we had to furnish.  I do agree with the PP though...if you do want to get your child good quality furniture, get something you like and if they take it with them, great.  If not, at least you can use it in your home after they leave the nest.  

MrsMelB

My parents got me a bed when I was in college as a graduation gift/"take to your first apartment in the real world" gift. It's gorgeous.

I think that worked out well, because we went and picked it out TOGETHER and I was much older. Even though in 7 years I have had tastes change, I still think it's beautiful. I was older when they did this (22) and I got input on it. Plus, I was able to pick out other pieces for my bedroom at a later date. 

Age and input make the difference in my opinion.

 

Mrs.Christie

I went ahead and got DD a set at 15 months when we moved her out of her crib. We got her a decent, but not high quality or expensive set. It is cottage retreat from Ashley furniture. I hope it lasts until she moves out, but if not it isn't the end of the world. 

As far as destruction goes, Dd has had the set for a year now and it is fine. I dont allow art supplies in her bedroom  and so she hasn't damaged it at all. She does open the dresser drawers and climb up, but so far all good. 

Mrs.G123

Never. Why would you?! Buy them something when they move out!!!

tbridetobe

I agree with PP to buy something that you like and wouldn't mind staying at your house.  DH's parents bought him a nice honey oak bedroom set for this purpose when he was about 5 or so and now they are upset that we don't want it at our house because it is not our style.

queenbone

I don't think I would, I plan on buying something that will stay at my house...maybe save for when my grandchildren come over. Or if my children prefer they could use it for their children if they like it.

I am thinking about getting  a pair of old style, iron beds so I'm hoping it will be a pretty timeless look. 

I don't understand having children in a bed larger than a twin though.  I figure once they move out on their own they'll want a bigger bed, but that will be their responsibility to get a bed that will fit an overnight guest.

noodle_oo

My parents bought me a dresser, desk, nightstand and headboard when I was in like 5th grade (when I got my own room, I got to pick it out).  I used it all through HS and then when I moved home after college.  I took it with me when I moved out and it was really nice to have quality furniture and not have to buy it.  We kept using it when I moved in with my DH.

We just bought a new bedroom set (adult furniture, it was actually our wedding present from my parents).  The other set is in the guest room for now, although we'll probably get rid of it when we have kids as it doesn't fit the room that well.  

So I got probably almost 20 years of use out of it, it was really nice!

GingerSB

My kids got nice furniture when they grew out of he crib. If they only use it until they graduate, I will be ok with that, 15 years are long enough to get my money's worth.

prazenjc

i guess i am different in my opinion than so many of the others on here. i think it is great that you want to have something that they would have the option to take with them, if they wanted to (they still can opt not to). i recommend sticking with more classic styling that transcends many styles and years.