The process of making safe children's furniture requires a special approach, which many manufacturers do not follow at all, since their production processes are set up to create furniture for adults. But children's furniture is not the same as adult furniture only in reduced sizes. For the proper development and rest of a child, it is necessary to take into account many factors, which only together will give the desired effect. Not every manufacturer, especially in small workshops, is able to develop and manufacture products that meet modern standards of reliability, ergonomics and environmental friendliness.
Let's take a closer look at the question of what is safe children's furniture and what nuances will parents have to face if they want to buy really high-quality and harmless products for their child.
All about safe children's furniture - risk factors
General safety points for children's furniture
First of all, notice that the right furniture must take into account the age and physical development of the child and at the same time have a safe design and meet environmental requirements. Then it is worth understanding that children's furniture is also a kind of play and educational complex, so it must, on the one hand, be ergonomic, have a practical design, and on the other, be as attractive as possible so that the child finds it interesting to be in his room.
Let us dwell on the safety factors for the child’s health. Not all parents are aware that such a popular furniture material as chipboard (chipboard) has several safety classes for the emission (emission into the atmosphere) of the formaldehydes it contains, and not all classes are suitable for children's furniture.
Formaldehyde is a dangerous colorless gas. Included in the GN 1.1.725-98 list as a carcinogenic substance, that is, it can cause oncological diseases. 60 ml of a substance that enters the body causes death.
Formaldehyde in high concentrations irritates the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory tract, it causes severe allergies. It has been proven that this gas can destroy genetic code human and influence the functioning of the reproductive system. With prolonged contact with formaldehyde, a person develops dermatitis and eczema, and nails soften. In case of severe poisoning through the atmosphere, acute bronchitis, pulmonary edema, conjunctivitis and disorders are possible nervous system: convulsions, dizziness, feelings of fear.
Remember that in Europe there are more stringent requirements for the formaldehyde content in chipboard, so it is usually 20-100 percent safer. This is not to mention the fact that in the vast post-Soviet space there are also problems with monitoring compliance with environmental standards. Therefore, in practice, the difference in safety with imported products can reach even more significant values. And although imported laminated chipboard They are much more expensive, but for the manufacture of safe children's furniture they are the best option.
Main emission classes for chipboard:
- E0 - formaldehyde-free boards, the content level is extremely low, this material is very expensive and is considered medical chipboard, as it is actively used in the West for medical institutions.
- E1 – slabs for residential premises. Formaldehyde content is less than 10 mg (according to the European standard PN-EN 120 no more than 8 mg) per 100 g of material. These boards are recommended according to GOST 10632 for residential apartments and houses.
- E2 – slabs for production premises. Formaldehyde content from 10 mg to 30 ml (according to PN-EN 120 no more than 15 mg). Can be used for industrial facilities, and is not recommended for residential premises, especially for children's rooms.
- E3 – slabs only for construction applications. Formaldehyde content from 30 mg to 60 ml. In no case should they be used for residential premises, but some unscrupulous manufacturers may use them. To avoid harm to health, buy products only from reliable sellers and check product certificates.
Safer and environmentally friendly materials are MDF, plywood premium grades and, of course, solid wood. Manufacturers most often use wood for cribs for babies, and chipboard, MDF and plywood for furniture for older children.
Another safety aspect is the paintwork. It should also be of high quality and non-toxic, especially important for babies who may chew on cribs.
If we talk about other safety factors, then these are the quality of the mattress and the injury-proof design of the furniture. Moreover, than smaller child, the more important these factors are. It is advisable to purchase mattresses from hypoallergenic materials, always making sure that your child is not allergic to the material being purchased. The most common mattresses are filled with coconut coir (coconut fiber), buckwheat husk, seaweed or natural latex with the sap of the Hevea rubber tree. The mattress cover should also be made of natural, breathable fabrics. The mattress must be with orthopedic effect to ensure the baby's body is supported in the correct, safe position.
For bunk beds The reliability of the design and safety bumpers for the second level are very important. Children's furniture should not contain sharp corners; all protruding edges should be rounded. It is not recommended to install shelves above the bed, especially with something heavy on them, since under certain circumstances even the most reliable design may fall. For example, if a child periodically, without the parents’ knowledge, pulls himself up on them, the fasteners may become loose and, as a result, collapse. The organization of space in a children's room should be done in such a way that the child has enough space for safe games, so that the light on the desktop falls on the left for a right-handed person and vice versa. The height of the table top should be comfortable for the child so that he does not strain while sitting at the table, and the chairs should have an ergonomic shape so that the child can easily lean on the back.
Safety parameters of children's furniture by age group
Furniture can be divided into several age groups:
- Furniture for babies.
- Furniture for preschoolers and primary schoolchildren.
- Furniture for middle school students and furniture for teenagers.
Each group has its own nuances and must meet its individual requirements. Let's talk in more detail about each.
These are, as a rule, cribs, changing tables and chests of drawers, high chairs and playpens.
The right crib should be made of solid hardwood: beech, oak, birch, walnut and so on. The corners should be rounded and the bottom of the crib should be adjustable in height so that it can be lowered as the baby grows. If desired, you can purchase a crib with chewing pads and a rocking device. Paintwork must be of the highest quality, made from natural ingredients and completely non-toxic.
High chairs can be free-standing or attached to an adult chair. The design must always be stable to prevent the child from turning over with the chair, and in the case of a high chair that is attached to a table or an adult chair, it must have reliable metal fastenings. Free standing height high chair must be adjustable and the tabletop must be removable. The design should not contain sharp corners, and the seat should not be covered with non-air-permeable material to prevent the child from rotting. The materials used to make high chairs are usually plastic or wood. Changing tables must have restraints for safety, so that the child does not turn over and fall from the changing table. Folding devices must have a stable design and have a lock so that it does not accidentally fold.
Safe children's furniture for preschoolers and primary schoolchildren
For preschoolers and primary schoolchildren, full-fledged beds are already being made, onto which protective bumpers can be attached to prevent the child from falling onto the floor at night. Colors sleeping place It is advisable to use it in accordance with the child’s temperament; for hyperactive children it is better to use soothing or neutral colors, and for overly calm children you can add bright colors. Tables for preschoolers are usually made as areas for creativity and development. They often have an attractive appearance in bright colors and pictures. Children's table for creativity it includes several shelves and drawers, as well as a large rounded tabletop. Younger schoolchildren can already purchase tables and desks for classes and games. The requirements for rounded corners also remain here, since the children are still quite small, do not coordinate their movements well and can be injured due to inattention or in a rush of play.
Cabinets with drawers should preferably have a closing system to prevent pinching of fingers. It is also correct and safe for children to use designs with gaps around the fronts of drawers, which will protect children from pinching their fingers. Chairs must be of stable construction. To prevent rocking and turning over. All corners should be rounded, and the back should have an ergonomic shape, that is, your baby should be comfortable sitting on such a chair. Stools should not be used, as the baby will not have the opportunity to rest his back muscles. Tall children's cabinets and walls must be securely fastened to the wall to prevent them from falling on the child.
Safe furniture for teenagers
Middle schoolchildren and teenagers are already sufficiently adequate and serious to purchase furniture for them that is as identical as possible to adult products, but there are still some features. Firstly, it is worth considering that adolescents have not yet formed their bone structure, so an awkward position at a table of inappropriate height can lead to curvature of the spine and problems with joints. Secondly, be sure to keep in mind that furniture for older children should be functional and correspond to the hobbies of teenagers, that is, properly divided into zones for relaxation, storage of things and hobbies. In each individual situation, it is worth making a decision separately, but general case try to geographically separate the place of rest and the place for study and hobbies. When purchasing furniture, you should always take into account the wishes of the teenager himself, because in this room, first of all, he should be comfortable.
How to choose safe children's furniture
Each manufacturer of children's furniture talks about its exclusivity and the fact that its products are the best. Of course, you shouldn’t take the word of little-known manufacturers. Before purchasing, you need to check the safety certificates for the materials used. Make a personal inspection of the products offered. The assembly must be neat, and the structure must be tightly knit and reliable. Look at the quality of the edges; too thin melamine edges on the front areas will quickly crumble and the furniture will lose its attractive appearance. They are often used in cheap furniture for children. More expensive and relatively reliable material- PVC edges. It is optimal when dense and reliable edges made of polypropylene, ABS thermoplastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or polymethyl methacrylate are used. Don't forget that in addition to aesthetic function the edge rounds the edge and makes it safer, provides protection slab material from moisture, and in the case of chipboard, it prevents the release of formaldehyde into the atmosphere.
When choosing a manufacturer and seller of children's furniture, do not rush into the choice and do not chase after the cheapest products. Your children are not the case when you need to skimp on health and safety.
Children's laminated chipboard furniture- you can hear many conflicting opinions about it. Some people consider such interior items to be absolutely harmless, but for others it is synonymous with strong poison.
Children's furniture laminated chipboard: harmful or not?
Children's furniture laminated chipboard- you can hear many conflicting opinions about it. Some people consider such interior items to be absolutely harmless, but for others it is synonymous with strong poison. Modern manufacturing factories offer customers a wide range of furniture made from this particular material. In addition, its price is very attractive due to its availability. Therefore, the issue of harm to children's furniture from chipboard is worth attention.
Children's furniture laminated chipboard: what is the emission class
LDSP (laminated chipboard) is a material that is highly durable, beautiful shades And low cost. This combination of properties has made it incredibly popular. However, not all parents know about such a concept as emission class. This percentage formaldehyde resins that are released from the stove into the air. Why is this harmful substance there? The fact is that in the process of making slabs, glue is used, which necessarily contains this substance. Formaldehyde itself is a carcinogen that can cause serious health damage. In large doses, it causes cancer and severe allergic reactions. Formaldehyde resins are contained in chipboard. But in quantities that cannot cause harm to health. Children's furniture LDSP has advantages over chipboard, since the laminate layer (provided it is of high quality) prevents harmful toxins from escaping into the atmosphere of the room.
Determining the emission class can help the buyer purchase truly safe furniture for his beloved baby. Laminated chipboard and chipboard marked “E0” are the most desirable option for materials. The percentage of formaldehyde is extremely low. Such material can also be called medical chipboard, since it is used in medical institutions. In medical institutions they use made and environmentally friendly safe materials. The material is produced mainly by foreign manufacturers. Domestic factories offer their customers E1 class materials. Here the content of harmful substances is quite small. Classes “E2” and “E3” are extremely undesirable as raw materials for use in residential premises. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers are honest with their customers. Therefore, if, when purchasing in a store or factory, you cannot be provided with quality certificates and documents confirming the environmental standards of materials, refuse such a purchase.
No matter how small the price and no matter how attractive the laminated chipboard children's furniture looks, without documents confirming the quality, you are acquiring slow-acting poison for your beloved child. When purchasing inexpensive pieces of furniture for a child’s bedroom, you should hire factories that deal with furniture.
Children's furniture laminated chipboard: correct cutting and gluing of edges
But what to do with materials of class “E1”? After all, they contain formaldehyde resins, albeit in small quantities. Here, conscientious manufacturers also found a way out of the situation. This is edge gluing. It must be well glued, because it has not only an aesthetic role. How to determine the quality of edges and cuts? Inspect carefully ready product. All ends of the parts must be neatly cut, without chips or cracks. Such defects not only release formaldehyde, but also worsen the appearance of the furniture, shortening its service life. All parts must be edged, even in places not visible to the eye. For example, removable shelves should be covered on all sides, including the one facing the back wall of the cabinet or cabinet. The edge is a reliable barrier that prevents harmful substances penetrate the air that the child breathes.
What furniture to choose? There are wooden, plastic and wicker, as well as chipboard and MDF. If you care about the health of your child, we choose the most environmentally friendly and durable material.
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On the picture:
Children's furniture is made from different materials, but the most preferable option is wooden furniture with non-toxic coating.
Sleeping area
Bed. The baby will surely begin to learn the world With own furniture. And he will definitely “test the crib.” Therefore, all items in the nursery should be made from natural or environmentally friendly materials that do not threaten the baby’s health.
Mattress. It is better not to buy cotton wool: cotton “cakes” and turns into lumps, the surface of the sleeping area becomes uneven. Much better are dense and less uniform types of “stuffing” (sesame, coconut flakes, seaweed). Foam rubber is not very useful for children. Over time, it is pressed through, and it is unpleasant to sleep on synthetics - sweating increases. A little better - cast polyurethane foam, more elastic and durable. The best option- spring mattresses with multi-layer natural filling: they are considered orthopedic and allow you to evenly distribute the weight of the child during sleep, promoting the formation of correct posture.
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On the picture:
When organizing a sleeping place for a child, you should pay attention not only to the material of the crib and its covering, but also to choose the right mattress, giving preference spring mattresses with multi-layer natural filler.
Children's furniture made of plywood. This is durable, reliable and environmentally friendly furniture. Previously, it was believed that it made simple and inexpressive furniture. But modern innovations have made their own adjustments. Using the flexibility of the material, manufacturers began to produce children's furniture made of plywood (usually tables and chairs) of fancy shapes and designs: to suit the most demanding taste of a design connoisseur.
In the photo: Elephant Eames Plywood model from the Vitra factory, design by Eames Charles, Eames Ray.
Cabinet furniture
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Here you can ask any question, including the cost of your project.
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Dear customers. Please note that custom furniture has custom sizes and your wishes.
The same set of furniture can be both cheaper and more expensive. In addition to size, the cost is usually influenced by:
External materials. For example, facades made of wood, plastic, enamel, with or without patina, matte, glossy, with photo printing, etc.;
tabletop made of plastic or stone, presence of a wall panel: in the color of the tabletop, with photo printing or others, etc.
Internal components. For example, hinges, drawers with or without closers, the presence, types and number of mechanisms; presence and quantity of decor, etc.
The furniture sets presented on the site are manufactured by our factory in different time, during which prices changed, so we do not recalculate all submitted photographs, but count projects created after measurements specifically for you or projects provided by you.
Each project has individual characteristics and individual cost depending on the types and quantities of materials and components used, sizes and design.
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We will be happy to answer your letter!
(Prices for linear meter As a guide to the minimum cost depending on the material of the facades, they are given in the corresponding section (see the top menu of the site).
For calculation of the kitchen, wardrobe, other furniture, set of facades Please describe your wishes and premises in free form, indicating:
- Dimensions of walls and furniture
- Presence of protrusions and pipes
- Describe the design, material and color of the facade
- Presence of closers in drawers, baskets, hinges
- Availability of lighting panel, cornices, other wishes
- Your phone number and name
For kitchen additionally indicate what appliances are planned (built-in or free-standing: refrigerator, oven, dome hood or in a cabinet, Dishwasher 450 or 600 mm, etc.)
- Tabletop type (plastic/stone)
- There will be on the wall Wall panel, photo printed panel or tile
For wardrobe additionally indicate:
- Wardrobe type: free-standing or built-in.
- System:
Aluminum - standard, inexpensive, strong, profile in different colors.
Hidden - suitable for free-standing wardrobes, costs more. For hanging any furniture fronts. - Number of doors.
For a set of facades additionally indicate which of them:
- Deaf (without glass): height, then width - in millimeters, quantity
- Showcases (for glass or stained glass): height, then width - in millimeters, quantity
- Which ones are boxes?
- Count glass or stained glass
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Dear customers. Please note that we do not accept applications for the design and production of a separate bedside table, a separate facade or body, a glass cutout, a section of a tabletop, a set of handles, furniture with soft parts, restoration old furniture. We produce cabinet furniture in one piece (kitchens, wardrobes, walls, etc.) - the range is presented on the website. Furniture components and certain furniture services are provided by other relevant companies.
For our customers of cabinet furniture, we often take on solving non-standard problems: manufacturing window sills in the color of the furniture, solid gratings for bear skins, stairs, etc. (See section Miscellaneous Furniture/Other Furniture). We also accept applications for the production of any additional order, including the smallest and non-standard ones.
We always approach the arrangement of a children's room with special care and think through every little detail. The range of children's furniture is large. Some parents buy ready-made furniture, others make it themselves, according to their own plan and design, taking into account the characteristics of the children's room; the rest buy furniture panels and assemble them themselves.
Children's furniture is made from different materials: natural, MDF boards, chipboards, laminated chipboards, fiberboard, plastic, etc. Of course, it’s nice if the furniture is made of natural wood. However, many families with children do not have the opportunity to purchase or custom-make such furniture. Then an alternative to natural wood comes to the rescue - MDF, chipboard, etc.
Let's consider mdf materials for making children's furniture in the room.
MDF is boards medium density, have a wood-fiber structure. Small sawdust is used to make it. Such sawdust is held together by lignin and paraffin. These boards are safe for the health of people, especially children, which is why their price is higher than that of chipboard boards. Thus, MDF boards for children's furniture are environmentally friendly and soft material. Such slabs are used to make the backs of cribs, tables, high chairs and chairs for children over 3 years old, cabinets, shelves and various parts.
The price of children's furniture made from MDF is high, but cheaper than furniture made from natural wood. But it happens that it is not easy for parents to find money for MDF boards, so many of them choose chipboard boards. They are much cheaper in price, but the quality and environmental performance are not as high as those of MDF boards.
Made from chipboard boards back walls cabinet and bottom drawers. A wardrobe is essential in a children's room, so it is better if it is made to order from reliable materials. The fact is that the bottom of chipboard boards is very flexible, it bends under the heavy weight of children's things, so this furniture has to be repaired very often. Agree, the main argument of low price and durability is not easy to dismiss, but furniture made from chipboards also has a significant disadvantage: the presence of formaldehyde resins in the material. It is resins that impregnate and bind sawdust and shavings. Resins make chipboard boards resistant to moisture.
For the production of children's furniture from chipboards, the emission level of formaldehyde resins is taken into account. The level of E1 resins in the boards is relatively safe, therefore it is allowed to make both children's furniture and components from them.
Furnishing a child's room is not easy and often very expensive. For a children's corner, MDF boards would be most preferable. They contain phenol and formaldehyde resins, however, their amount is small, that is, within normal limits. Therefore, in percentage terms (50-60%) MDF boards are equal to pure materials in terms of environmental indicators. Children's furniture made from MDF boards does not have a toxic coating and does not harm the fragile children's body.
When choosing between materials for making children's furniture, you can choose to combine them. Some manufacturers make furniture with a combination of natural wood and MDF boards. Such furniture is cheaper than analogues made from natural materials.
Thus, the use of MDF and chipboard furniture in a children's room is possible if they have the appropriate quality certificate.
There are not many advantages to furniture boards using resins. If MDF boards still inspire confidence among buyers of joinery products, then chipboard boards do not lend themselves to any criticism. First of all, chipboards are the final product of processing natural wood (sawdust, shavings). Such products cannot be 100% safe.
Furniture boards made from natural wood have a lot of advantages. They have one significant disadvantage - high price. It is worth considering that you need to buy furniture boards made of natural wood with a quality certificate. If the processing technology of natural wood (alder, pine) is not followed, the quality of such boards leaves much to be desired, despite their natural origin. The most acceptable option is to make furniture boards yourself from wood (pine, beech, alder, birch, oak).