Storage, style add interest to youth bedroom
By Sheila Long O'Mara -- Furniture Today, November 11, 2002
High Point — While cottage made the largest style impact in the youth category at last month's market here, a variety of other designs also drew attention, including Shaker, nautical, rustic and contemporary.
Continuing a trend that's been evident for the last few markets, two new vendors moved into the category — Drexel Heritage, which made its first introductions ever, and Thomasville, which revisited the category after a hiatus.
Youth producers continue to pack collections with plenty of storage to help corral the expansive array of stuff that kids accumulate, such as clothes, toys, computers, electronic games, sports equipment and CDs.
"Who has the most stuff in the family? The kids," said Glenn Prillaman, vice president of Stanley's Young America program. "And, who has the smallest rooms? The kids."
Stanley answered the call with two companion groups — Harbor Town and Oak Harbor — that each feature a captain's storage chest designed to fit underneath the bed. The chest has the same capacity as a five-drawer chest.
The grow-with-me approach to children's furniture also continued at market with many collections created to span a child's life and move seamlessly into second-bedroom uses.
At Bassett, the Simply Yours youth collection makes an easy progression into second bedrooms, said Tom Prato, vice president of sales. "It offers a natural step. We did some special elements for that very purpose."
The collection offers seven finish options, three hardware choices and three foot options to allow consumers to mix, match and design their own look.
One of the more unusual collections introduced this season was High Sierra from Vaughan Furniture. Shown in a rustic finish, the collection sports leather-accented pulls and includes a leather platform bed.
Bill Vaughan, company president, said the collection offers retailers an alternative to other rustic groups in the marketplace.
Overall, the youth category was strong this market with more and more retailers creating floor space for it. Vasso Unks, director of marketing for P.J. Kids, sees the trend as a means for retailers to build future business.
"It appears that many retailers are trying to plant seeds in the minds of the consumer that when they are shopping for their personal furniture as young couples, they see the (youth furniture) and eventually they will be back for that purchase," she said.
Overall, she added, the youth category continues to drive good business for retailers in this soft economy.
"No matter what is happening with the economy, folks are still having their babies, and those families need furniture," Unks said. "It is very easy to put off a purchase of a dining room or a new sofa, but unless you are putting your baby in an empty drawer or laundry basket, you really need furniture for the new addition."
