Children's Dressing Table Buying Guide | How to Choose
How to Choose the Best Dressing Table for a Child or Teenager
A children's dressing table can be a practical and attractive addition to a bedroom, providing a dedicated space for getting ready, organising personal belongings and displaying favourite items. For older children and teenagers in particular, a dressing table can become an important part of their bedroom.
However, dressing tables vary considerably in size, storage and design. Choosing the right one means considering the child's age, the available bedroom space, how much storage is required and whether the furniture needs to remain useful as they grow.
This guide explains what to look for when choosing a children's or teenager's dressing table.
Why Choose a Dressing Table for a Girl's Bedroom?
A girls dressing table can provide more than somewhere to get ready. It can also become a useful personal space for organising everyday items. Our Girl's Bedroom Ideas guide has more inspiration for the rest of the room.
Depending on the design, it can provide space for:
- Hair and beauty products.
- Brushes and accessories.
- Jewellery.
- Personal belongings.
- Books and small items.
- Decorative accessories.
- A mirror.
- Everyday storage.
For older children and teenagers, having their own dressing table can also give them a dedicated area within their bedroom that feels personal and independent.
Consider Your Child's Age
The best dressing table will depend partly on the age of the child.
Younger Children
For younger children, safety and simplicity are particularly important. A compact dressing table with accessible storage can provide a useful area for imaginative play, drawing and organising their belongings.
Older Children
As children grow, a dressing table can become a more practical part of their bedroom furniture, providing storage for personal items and a dedicated place for getting ready.
Teenagers
Teenagers often benefit from a larger dressing table with plenty of storage and a good-sized mirror.
A more mature design can also remain suitable for several years, making it a better long-term investment.
Choose the Right Size
Before buying a dressing table, measure the available space carefully.
Remember to allow room for:
- The dressing table itself.
- A chair or stool.
- Opening drawers.
- Opening nearby wardrobe or cupboard doors.
- Moving around the bedroom comfortably.
A large dressing table can provide excellent storage, but it isn't necessarily the best choice if it makes the rest of the bedroom feel cramped.
For smaller bedrooms, a compact dressing table or a piece of furniture with multiple functions can be a better solution.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
Think about what your child will actually store before choosing a dressing table.
Drawers can be useful for smaller items such as:
- Hair accessories.
- Jewellery.
- Stationery.
- Cosmetics.
- Personal belongings.
Open shelving is useful for items that are regularly accessed or that your child wants to display.
If your child has lots of belongings, look for a dressing table with a combination of drawers, cupboards and shelving - our Children's Storage Furniture Buying Guide has more ideas.
Choose a Dressing Table with a Mirror
A mirror is one of the most useful features of a dressing table.
Some dressing tables have an integrated mirror, while others allow a separate mirror to be positioned above the desk.
When choosing a mirror, consider:
- Its size.
- Its position.
- Whether it can be securely fixed.
- How much space it takes up.
- Whether the design will remain suitable as your child grows.
A larger mirror can also help make a smaller bedroom feel more spacious.
Make the Most of a Small Bedroom
In a smaller bedroom, every piece of furniture needs to work hard.
Consider choosing furniture that combines several functions.
For example, a bedroom could include a bed with integrated storage alongside a compact dressing table, rather than filling the room with several large pieces of furniture.
Wall-mounted shelving above a dressing table can also provide additional storage without taking up valuable floor space.
Think About the Chair or Stool
Don't forget that your child will need somewhere comfortable to sit.
A dressing table chair or stool should:
- Be the right height.
- Fit comfortably underneath the table when not being used.
- Leave enough room to move around.
- Complement the style of the bedroom.
A stool can be particularly useful in a small bedroom because it can usually be pushed completely underneath the dressing table.
Choose a Style That Will Grow with Your Child
Children's tastes change quickly.
A dressing table that appeals to a young child may not be suitable a few years later.
For this reason, neutral furniture can be a sensible choice.
White, oak-effect, grey and other versatile finishes can work with different bedroom colours and accessories as your child grows.
You can then change the appearance of the room using:
- Bedding.
- Cushions.
- Wall art.
- Accessories.
- Lighting.
This can be more cost-effective than replacing large pieces of furniture every few years.
Quality Matters
A dressing table can receive considerable daily use, particularly during the teenage years.
Look for furniture made using quality materials and strong fixings.
High-density furniture board with durable melamine finishes can provide a hard-wearing surface that is easy to clean, while solid timber can provide a natural and durable alternative.
Drawers should also operate smoothly and furniture should feel stable when in normal use.
Safety Considerations
Safety should always be considered when choosing children's furniture.
Make sure:
- The furniture is appropriate for the child's age.
- Heavy items aren't placed where they could fall.
- The dressing table is positioned securely.
- Any included mirror is safely secured.
- Cables from lighting or electrical accessories are kept organised.
- Manufacturer instructions are followed.
For younger children, avoid leaving potentially hazardous products within easy reach.
See our safety guides here
Dressing Tables for Teenagers
A dressing table can become particularly useful during the teenage years.
Teenagers may need additional space for:
- Personal care products.
- Hair accessories.
- Jewellery.
- Makeup.
- Mirrors.
- Storage.
- Decorative items.
A larger dressing table with multiple drawers can provide a dedicated area while helping keep the rest of the bedroom organised.
It can also complement other teenage bedroom furniture such as wardrobes, chests of drawers and high sleeper or gaming beds.
Should You Match the Other Bedroom Furniture?
Matching furniture can create a coordinated appearance, but it isn't essential.
A dressing table can either:
Match the bedroom furniture
for a consistent, coordinated look,
or
Contrast with the existing furniture
to create a more individual style.
If you're buying several pieces at the same time, choosing furniture from the same range can make it easier to create a cohesive bedroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is a dressing table suitable for?
There isn't one specific age. Dressing tables can be used by younger children for activities such as drawing and imaginative play, while older children and teenagers may use them for getting ready and storing personal belongings. Always consider the specific furniture and the child's age and maturity.
What should I look for in a children's dressing table?
Consider the size, storage, materials, design, mirror and how long you expect your child to use it.
Is a dressing table suitable for a teenager?
Yes. A dressing table can be particularly useful for teenagers because it provides personal storage and a dedicated area for getting ready.
What is the best dressing table for a small bedroom?
A compact dressing table with integrated storage is often a good option. A design that allows the stool or chair to fit underneath can also help save floor space.
Should a children's dressing table have a mirror?
A mirror can be a useful feature, but it isn't essential. If you choose a separate mirror, make sure it is securely positioned and appropriate for the room and child's age.
Final Thoughts
The best children's dressing table should combine practicality, storage, durability and a design your child will enjoy.
For younger children, a simple compact design may be sufficient, while older children and teenagers may benefit from a larger dressing table with drawers, shelving and a good-sized mirror.
Think carefully about the available space and how your child will use the furniture. Most importantly, consider choosing a versatile design that can remain suitable as their tastes and needs change.
A well-chosen dressing table can become a useful and attractive part of a child's bedroom for many years.
See our other Children's Bed Buying Guides and other Children's Furniture Buying Guides