What Sells: Youth - Cradle to College

July 11, 2016  by in Product, Youth, Juvenile Furniture   

By Trisha McBride Ferguson

There’s nothing pint-sized about the growth of today’s youth furnishings market. The category has experienced steady growth, keeping up with casegoods and tracking slightly behind upholstery. In 2015, youth sales grew 4.9% over the previous year—more than double the 2.1% growth experienced between 2013 to 2014.

Whether it’s the steady growth of U.S. births or consumers’ renewed interest in creating distinctive kid-friendly spaces, the trend is upward. As the children of baby boomers move through their prime child-bearing years, the slow but continued increase in the number of U.S. babies will propel the infant furniture and “Under 5” industries. While the recession slowed rates, births are now projected to grow 3.2% over the next five years and continue a slow ascent over the next 30 years.

The “Under 5” age segment has the highest projected population increase. By 2020, this segment is expected to grow somewhere between 3% and 5.2 %, increasing from 20 million to 21 million. Over the next 10 years, youth ages 5-9 are expected to grow 2.1%.

As one of the industry’s steadily growing segments, today’s youth and baby furniture markets offer retailers and suppliers the opportunity to reach consumers at an earlier age and build lifetime relationships and brand preference.

Standard Furniture’s Magnolia Home

The BOHO styling of Joanna’s Playhouse Canopy Bed brings grown-up style to youth spaces. Available in two finishes (white and salvage), it features a pitched, roof-shaped canopy top, open window pane headboard panel, shiplap head and footboard panels, and sturdy square posts. Suggested retail is $899 in twin.

 

 

 

Walker Edison’s Youth Desks

Small in scale yet big in style, these popular desks offer offer a generous work surface and are constructed of sturdy powder-coated steel and colored, tempered safety glass. 

 

 

 

 

Samuel Lawrence Furniture’s Room Gear

The perfect retreat for today’s active youth, “ClubHouse” group features oak veneers, bronze pipe-inspired accents and antique brass-finished hardware.

 

 

 

Legacy Classic Kids’ Fulton County

Offering under-bed drawers, shelving and cubbies—the Bookcase Lounge Bed is packed with storage. It owes its reclaimed vibe to poplar solids with oak, pecan, hickory and ash veneers complemented by oil-rubbed bronze hardware. Suggested retail is $1,299.

 

 

 

 

Universal Furniture’s SmartStuff

Fun and functional, the Varsity Bookcase has a corkboard right door covering two adjustable wood shelves. It also features a self-closing lower drawer and a “Jersey” finish over birch veneers. 

Capel’s Sailor Boy

Inspired by the fusion of water and sky, this casual area rug unites unites tranquil blues and greens. Handcrafted in North Carolina, it’s reversible and made of cotton chenille. Suggested retail for a 5’ x 6’ round rug is $349.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trendwood’s Hideout Bed

American-made and kid-tough, this imaginative bed is built of solid Ponderosa pine and available in three stain finishes. It features four under-bed storage drawers and matching case goods are available. Suggested retail for bed as pictured is $699.

 

 

 

 

 

Elements International’s Alana

Fit for fairytales, this collection offers a button-tufted, faux leather headboard, delicate bow-tie moldings, and crystal hardware. Storage options include generous drawer sizes and a trundle bed option. Suggested retail is $599.

South Shore’s Mobby

A Twin Loft Bed with stairs is paired with a Twin Trundle bed on casters to turn every bedtime into an adventure. Its streamlined silhouettes are finished in a Morgan Cherry finish. Suggested retail for the Twin Loft Bed is $541.99.

 

Stanley’s Stone & Leigh

Taking a cue from the popularity of gray in today’s home décor, the Clementine Court collection is designed to grow along with its owner. A classically styled crib converts to a full size headboard and footboard and is also available in a creamy white finish. Suggested retail is $699.