The whole business rests on one idea: furniture should fit the child, not the room. Here is how to work out what fits.
Measure the child, not the age
Ages on product pages are guidance. Stature is what actually decides. Stand your child against a wall in socks and measure to the top of their head.
| Child height | Seat height | Table height | Rough age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 to 95cm | 21cm | 40cm | 1 to 2 |
| 93 to 116cm | 26cm | 46cm | 2 to 4 |
| 108 to 121cm | 31cm | 53cm | 4 to 6 |
| 119 to 142cm | 35cm | 59cm | 6 to 9 |
These follow BS EN 1729, the same size marks schools use. The test is simple: feet flat on the floor, knees at about ninety degrees, elbows level with the table top.
Beds
Floor beds sit 10 to 25cm off the floor. A child can get in and out unaided from around ten months, which is the point of them.
House frames need ceiling height. Measure floor to ceiling and allow 40cm of clear air above the frame apex. Our standard frames are 145cm tall; if your ceiling is under 210cm, look at the floor bed versions or ask about made to measure.
Raised and bunk beds are not recommended under six years, per BS EN 747. Allow 75cm of clear space above the top mattress so a child can sit up without hitting the ceiling.
Mattress sizes we build to: cot bed 70 x 140cm, single 90 x 190cm, small double 120 x 190cm. Use a mattress within 20mm of the stated size so no gap forms at the edge.
Wardrobes and rails
A child can hang their own coat when the rail is at shoulder height. That is about 60cm from the floor at two, 90cm at five and 110cm at eight. Our low wardrobes put the rail at 600mm and most take an upper rail kit later, which is cheaper than a second wardrobe.
Shelving
The top shelf should be no higher than the child's shoulder, or they cannot see what is on it and will stop using it. 60cm high suits under threes, 90cm suits three to six, 120cm from six.
Learning towers
Measure your worktop. UK kitchen worktops are usually 90cm. A tower platform needs to bring the child's chest level with the worktop, so platform height is roughly worktop height minus the child's standing reach. Our adjustable towers cover 30 to 50cm of platform height, which handles roughly eighteen months to five years.
Climbing equipment
Allow 1000mm of clear floor on every open side as a fall zone, and use a mat rated for the platform height. Ceiling height matters for wall bars and swings; measure before ordering.
Still not sure?
Send us the child's height, the room dimensions and a photograph. We will tell you what fits, and we will tell you if the answer is nothing we make. Email support@homartuk.com.