John Lewis
Elementary Toddler Bed
6.3/10 overallAround £139 (mattress sold separately)
A simple, understated painted pine toddler bed frame designed to look like a small version of a regular bed.
The ANYDAY toddler bed is a plain, low wooden frame without a themed shape or built-in guard rail — it's designed to look and feel like a scaled-down version of a normal bed rather than a novelty item, which appeals to parents who'd rather the bedroom didn't revolve around a single character or theme.
Against the Kidsaw Racing Car bed in this category, this frame won't provide the same emotional pull for a toddler reluctant to leave the cot, but it has considerably longer visual staying power in the bedroom — a plain wooden bed frame doesn't need replacing for aesthetic reasons the way a themed novelty bed eventually does, and it typically has stronger resale value for the same reason.
Since it doesn't have a built-in guard rail the way some novelty frames do, pairing it with a separate bed rail is worth considering for the first several months after the switch, particularly for toddlers who move around a lot in their sleep.
What we liked
- Understated design with no theme to outgrow
- Better long-term looks and resale value than novelty beds
- Sturdy, simple frame construction
Where it falls short
- No built-in guard rail, needs a separate purchase
- Less exciting for toddlers reluctant to leave the cot
- Pricier than some equivalent plain frames
Specs
- Style
- Plain, unthemed design
- Assembly
- Flat-packed, self-assembly required
- Material
- Solid wood frame
- Guard rail
- Not built in, sold separately
- Mattress size
- Standard cot bed, 140x70cm
How we scored it
Guard Rail Safety
How well the rail prevents night-time falls without making the bed hard to get in and out of.
No built-in rail; a separate bed rail is worth adding for restless sleepers.
Cot Transition Ease
How smoothly toddlers adjust from a cot to this bed, including familiarity of size and height.
Straightforward transition but lacks the emotional pull of a novelty design.
Build Durability
Sturdiness of the frame and how well the finish holds up to daily knocks.
Solid, simple construction that stays looking good for years.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
IKEA
KRITTER Toddler Bed Frame with Guard Rail
A sturdy first bed with a built-in guard rail that eases the move from cot to bed at 70x160cm.