New youth designs: Smaller, tech-friendly
By Gerri Hunt -- Furniture Today, November 9, 2009
High Point — Recent trends in the youth furniture segment include enhanced storage, more use of technology and cross-over collections that can be moved from a child's room into a guest or master bedroom or a vacation home.
And now manufacturers are rethinking their designs, taking small rooms into consideration.
Traditionally, many youth lines evolve from an already established adult line that gets a twin bed added to its mix. But Aspenhome, realizing master-size furniture may not fit in today's smaller rooms, has added not only twin beds, but smaller case goods.
"We see this category addressing smaller footprints that fit the youth buyer," said Jena Hall, executive vice president of merchandising and design for bedroom, dining and occasional. "You can mix the master pieces with the youth pieces, and entertainment cabinets can cross-market for kids with videogames."
The new case goods also have the high-function features found in Aspenhome's home office lines, adding to their appeal.
For example, Aspenhome puts electrical outlets in the drawers of its nightstands and desks; USB ports in the desk drawers; and a nightlight illuminates the floor in front of the nightstands.
"We've been so responsive to technology that I've taken it into the bedroom," said Hall.
And some of Aspenhome's dressers have a door on the side that opens to reveal extra storage for jewelry, scarves and other items.
For Opus Designs by Hooker, the new Kendall collection fits into a small space.
"It's a living room look for the bedroom," said Cindy Hall, Hooker merchandising manager. "It's an urban casual appeal for young kids to teens to tweens, who love to hang out and have a lot of stuff."
The collection includes beds with bunching case goods such as dressers and tall or short bookcases that sit tightly against them.
"They have soft edges for safety, and three-prong outlets in back," said Hall. "This is how kids live today, doing their homework, listening to music and hanging out with their friends."
On the other end of the spectrum is Maxtrix, which has been making loft beds with storage units fitting snugly underneath. Bookcases, dressers, nightstands and desks slide perfectly into the same footprint of the bed.
"It's all specially made to fit into the Maxtrix system," said Stephen Jensen, president. "People want options and choices."
And in an effort to maximize space even more, the company has introduced its Ultra High Loft, six inches taller than its High Loft.
To extend the life of the furniture, Maxtrix pieces can be separated and arranged like a traditional bedroom with bed, dresser and bookcase. Crown molding and taller feet can be added to the freestanding case goods. The company also has added a more grown-up looking chestnut finish, "at the request of Southerners," said Jensen.
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