Moving your child from a cot into their first bed is a big milestone and choosing the right toddler bed can feel surprisingly complicated.
Should you choose a traditional toddler bed or go straight to a full-size bed? Is a floor bed better? Do you need guard rails? How thick should the mattress be? And is that cute little toddler bed going to need replacing again in a couple of years?
There isn't one type of toddler bed that will suit every child or every family. The best toddler bed is one that suits your child now while also considering safety, comfort, your space and how long you want the bed to last.
Here’s what Australian parents should consider when choosing their child’s first bed.
When comparing toddler beds, it’s easy to focus on how they look. But there are some practical things worth considering first.
A good first bed should make the transition from a cot feel manageable for your child while also working practically for your family.
Depending on your child and their age, you may want to consider:
Two toddler beds can look quite similar online while being completely different pieces of furniture underneath.
There isn't one perfect age for every child.
Some children transition earlier because they are climbing from their cot, while others remain happily in their cot for longer.
Rather than choosing a bed simply because it is labelled a "toddler bed", think about the stage your child is at and what will make the transition easiest for them.
For many families, keeping their child relatively close to the floor and having some form of guard rail provides reassurance during those first months in a bigger bed.
It's also worth thinking beyond the first few months.
Your toddler may be little now, but ideally their first proper bed can grow with them for years.
Traditional toddler beds generally use a smaller toddler-sized mattress.
They can be great for smaller bedrooms and can make the move from a cot feel less overwhelming. The downside is that children can outgrow them relatively quickly, meaning another bed and mattress may need to be purchased later.
An alternative is moving directly into a standard Australian Single, King Single, Double, Queen or even King bed.
This gives your child considerably more room and potentially removes the need to replace their bed again as they grow.
And there's another practical consideration many parents don't think about until approximately 2am:
Whether your child is sick, having trouble settling or simply wants you nearby, there is a good chance a parent will eventually find themselves lying in their child's bed.
Choosing a full-size bed and a comfortable mattress can make those nights considerably easier.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they don't necessarily mean the same thing.
A floor bed generally positions the mattress very close to the floor, allowing children to get in and out independently.
Toddler beds can also sit low to the floor but may have a raised frame and integrated guard rails.
There are benefits to both designs.
The important thing is to look beyond the label and check the actual construction, mattress height and rail height of the bed you're considering.
One reason many parents choose a low toddler bed is to reduce the distance their child needs to climb when getting in and out.
But don't just look at the height of the bed frame.
The mattress changes the finished height considerably.
For example, putting a thick mattress into a low bed frame can result in the sleeping surface sitting much higher than expected.
That's why the bed and mattress should really be considered together rather than as two completely separate purchases.
Guard rails are one of the most common features parents look for when choosing a toddler's first bed.
But simply having guard rails isn't enough information.
One of the most important measurements to consider is:
A photograph of an empty bed can be misleading because the mattress may eventually cover a significant portion of the rail.
Before buying, check what mattress thickness the bed has been designed around and ask the manufacturer how much usable guard-rail height will remain once your chosen mattress is installed.
This is particularly important if you already own a thicker mattress.
One of the most common things parents overlook when choosing a toddler bed is mattress thickness.
Mattresses can vary enormously in height.
The thicker the mattress, the higher the sleeping surface becomes and the less guard rail remains above it.
If you're buying a bed with integrated guard rails, check the manufacturer's recommended mattress thickness before choosing your mattress.
And if you're having a bed made specifically for your child, tell the manufacturer which mattress you intend to use before the bed is built.
A well-designed bed should consider the mattress as part of the overall design.
This is one question worth asking when comparing beds online.
Not all upholstered toddler beds are constructed the same way.
Some are predominantly foam structures.
Others use timber or engineered furniture frames surrounded by foam and upholstery.
Traditional timber toddler beds may have little or no upholstery at all.
None of these construction methods automatically makes a bed the right choice for every family. They simply offer different benefits.
Foam-focused designs can provide very soft surrounding surfaces and may be lightweight.
Traditional timber designs can offer simplicity and structure.
Upholstered furniture-style beds combine an internal structural frame with foam around the exterior to create a softer finish.
Ask the retailer what the bed is made from, how the mattress is supported and whether replacement parts or repairs are possible.
A bed is a significant piece of furniture. You should know what you're buying.
The mattress is only one part of your child's sleep setup.
It's worth looking underneath it too.
Different beds may use timber slats, platform bases or other support systems.
If you're comparing beds, ask how the mattress is supported and whether there is space beneath it for ventilation.
This is particularly worth considering with very low beds and floor-bed designs.
Follow both the bed manufacturer's and mattress manufacturer's instructions for supporting and caring for the mattress you choose.
One of the newer choices parents encounter is between predominantly foam toddler beds and traditionally constructed upholstered beds.
The right option depends on what matters most to your family.
A foam-style toddler bed may appeal if you prioritise an extremely soft surrounding structure, lightweight components or removable covers.
A traditionally constructed upholstered bed may appeal if you want something that feels more like a conventional piece of furniture and can continue being used well beyond the toddler years.
Think about how long you expect to use the bed.
If it's purely a transition between a cot and another bed, a toddler-specific design may make perfect sense.
If you're hoping this will be your child's bed for many years, construction and longevity become much more important considerations.
Going directly from a cot into a full-size mattress gives families plenty of choice.
The right size isn't necessarily determined by how small your child is today. Think about the size of their bedroom, how long you want to keep the bed and whether you'll regularly be lying or sleeping beside them.
A Single is generally the most space-efficient option and provides enough sleeping space for a child for many years.
It's a great choice for smaller bedrooms or families who want to maximise the remaining floor space for playing and storage.
A King Single gives your child extra width and length without taking up as much room as a Double.
It can be a great middle ground for families wanting something their child is unlikely to outgrow quickly while still keeping plenty of space in the bedroom.
A Double gives considerably more room and can be particularly practical for families who expect to lie with their child regularly.
It also gives your child plenty of room as they grow and can remain their bed throughout childhood and into their teenage years.
A Queen can work beautifully in a larger bedroom and provides plenty of space for co-sleeping or those nights when Mum or Dad ends up staying.
For families who want to invest in one bed that can remain in the room for many years, a Queen can be a very practical long-term choice.
A King is obviously the largest option and is generally best suited to very spacious bedrooms.
It offers maximum room for co-sleeping and can make sense for families designing a bedroom around a bed they intend to keep well beyond the toddler years.
There isn't a correct size for every family.
Measure the bedroom and think about how your family will actually use the bed rather than simply choosing the smallest option because your child is currently small.
This is one of the biggest differences between toddler beds.
Some are intentionally designed for a relatively short stage of childhood.
Others are full-size beds adapted to make the transition from a cot easier.
If longevity matters to you, look at whether toddler-specific features can eventually be changed or whether the bed itself can evolve as your child grows.
For example, a low bed that can later be raised onto legs can look and feel very different once your child is older.
That means their room can evolve without necessarily replacing the entire bed.
It's worth asking yourself:
Those are two quite different purchases. If you're investing in a bed you hope your child will use for many years, it's worth looking beyond how it suits them as a toddler and considering how it's made, whether it can adapt as they grow, and how well it will work for your family long term.
If buying Australian made is important to you, don't be afraid to ask where the bed is actually manufactured.
There is a difference between an Australian-owned brand and furniture that is actually made in Australia.
Choosing locally made furniture can also give you greater flexibility when it comes to customisation, because you're dealing with a manufacturer rather than choosing from a finished product that has already been imported.
This can be particularly useful when you need to consider things like mattress thickness, bed size, room dimensions, fabric choice or other requirements that don't fit a standard configuration.
There isn't one toddler bed that will be best for every Australian family.
Instead, we'd look for a bed that:
And most importantly, look beyond the marketing photographs.
Ask questions.
Ask what's inside the bed.
Ask how the mattress is supported.
Ask how high the rails will actually sit once your mattress is in place.
Ask where the bed was manufactured.
A good furniture company should be able to answer them.
At Kamari Furniture, these questions are particularly close to us because they're ultimately why we created the Tulum Kids Bed.
The Tulum Kids Bed wasn't originally designed because we wanted to enter the toddler-bed market.
It came from trying to find the right first bed for our own son.
We wanted the reassurance of a low bed with soft upholstered surrounds and integrated guard rails, but we didn't want something he would quickly outgrow.
We also wanted it constructed like a traditional piece of furniture rather than a temporary toddler product.
So we made one.
Today, every Tulum Kids Bed is handmade to order in Melbourne using an internal furniture frame, cushioning and upholstery, with solid timber slats supporting the mattress.
The bed starts low to the floor for those early years. Optional screw-on legs can then be added later, allowing the bed to evolve as your child grows.
Because every Tulum is individually made, we can also build the bed to accommodate your chosen mattress thickness so the mattress and guard-rail heights work together.
The Tulum is available in standard Australian Single, King Single, Double, Queen and King sizes.
Families can also choose from our extensive range of upholstery fabrics, allowing the bed to be designed around their child's room rather than choosing from only a handful of predetermined colours.
It's designed to sit somewhere between a toddler bed and a traditional adult bed.
Built for their first big-bed moment. Made to stay with them long after it.
The best option depends on your child, their stage of development, the bedroom and how your family intends to use the bed.
Many parents look for a relatively low sleeping surface, appropriate guard rails and a bed that works properly with their chosen mattress.
Some families choose a smaller toddler-specific bed while others move directly to a standard Single, King Single, Double, Queen or King.
Both can work.
A toddler-sized bed takes up less room and can provide a smaller transition from a cot.
A full-size bed offers considerably more longevity because your child can continue using the same bed and standard mattress size as they grow.
Whether guard rails are appropriate will depend on your child's age, development and sleeping environment.
If choosing a bed with guard rails, check the manufacturer's instructions and make sure you understand how your mattress thickness affects the usable rail height.
Bed size alone doesn't determine whether a sleeping environment is appropriate for a young child.
The overall bed design, mattress, height, surrounding sleep environment and your child's developmental stage all need to be considered.
Always follow current Australian safe-sleep guidance relevant to your child's age.
Not necessarily.
Floor beds and low toddler beds offer different advantages.
Consider how the mattress is supported, ventilation, the finished height of the sleeping surface, whether guard rails are required and how long you expect to use the bed.
Follow the bed manufacturer's specifications.
Mattress thickness directly affects how much of the guard rail remains above the sleeping surface, so don't assume that any mattress will work with any toddler bed.
If you're purchasing a made-to-order bed, provide your mattress thickness to the manufacturer before the bed is built.
Kamari Furniture beds are handmade to order in Melbourne, Australia.
We deliver to most major Australian capital cities. See our Delivery Information for full coverage details.
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Every piece is handcrafted in our Melbourne workshop, using locally sourced materials and timeless techniques.
We are deeply committed to exceptional service and craftsmanship—reflected in the reviews from our valued customers.
The Tulum Kids Bed is an original design by Kamári Furniture. This design is protected under Australian law Registered Design No. 202312921.Copying, reproducing, or selling this design (or any product that is substantially similar in overall impression) without written permission from Kamári Furniture is strictly prohibited under the Designs Act 2003 (Cth).
