Furniture in Fashion Blog
Furniture in Fashion Blog
Furniture in Fashion Blog
Two finishes, one clever idea
A kids chair with storage is one of those quietly brilliant pieces that solves a real everyday problem. It gives a child a seat of their own while hiding away the toys and books that would otherwise cover the floor. When you add a choice of finish into the mix, the same practical idea can suit very different rooms. High gloss and wood are the two finishes families ask us about most, and each brings something distinct to a child’s space.
At Furniture in Fashion we think the finish you choose should reflect both the look you want and the way the room is used. A glossy chair brings a bright, contemporary feel, while a wooden one offers warmth and a more natural, timeless character. Understanding how each behaves in daily life helps you pick the one that will serve your family best.
The bright appeal of high gloss
High gloss finishes have a fresh, modern quality that children often love. The reflective surface bounces light around a room, which can make a small or dim bedroom feel more open and cheerful. Gloss also tends to come in clean, uplifting colours, so it suits playful schemes and rooms where you want a little energy.
There is a practical side too. A smooth glossy surface wipes clean easily, which is a genuine advantage when sticky hands and felt tip pens are involved. A quick pass with a soft, damp cloth usually removes marks, keeping the chair looking crisp. If a contemporary, easy clean look appeals, you will find plenty to compare within our kids chairs UK sale range.
The warmth and character of wood
Wooden finishes bring a softer, more grounded feel to a child’s room. The natural grain adds texture and warmth, and wood tends to sit comfortably alongside a wide range of colours and textiles. For nurseries and calmer bedroom schemes, a wooden chair often feels more soothing than a high shine surface.
Wood also carries a sense of durability and tradition. A well made wooden chair can feel like a piece to keep, and its neutral tone rarely dates. As a child grows and their tastes change, a wooden storage chair adapts easily, needing only a change of bedding or accessories around it. It pairs naturally with other pieces from our childrens furniture UK collection to build a coordinated room.
Matching the finish to the room
Choosing between gloss and wood is partly about the atmosphere you want to create. If the bedroom is bright, playful and modern, high gloss reinforces that mood and adds a lively touch. If the room is calmer, more natural or shared with a nursery feel, wood settles in more gently and brings a sense of warmth.
Consider the existing furniture too. A glossy chair sits well against contemporary wardrobes and painted furniture, while a wooden chair complements oak or pine pieces and softer, textured schemes. Keeping the finishes in a room broadly consistent helps everything feel intentional rather than mismatched, which is especially helpful in smaller rooms where every item is on show.
Storage that works for real family life
Whichever finish you choose, the storage inside should be genuinely useful. Look for a generous lift up seat or a roomy base that swallows soft toys, books and craft supplies with ease. A supported or soft close lid adds peace of mind by helping to prevent trapped fingers, which matters in a busy household with lively children.
Think about what the chair will hold now and later. A design with a good sized compartment stays useful as your child moves from soft toys to books and games, giving you years of service from a single piece. For larger items that will not fit inside a chair, our childrens storage furniture UK range offers coordinating options to complete the room.
Caring for each finish
High gloss and wood ask for slightly different care. Glossy surfaces show fingerprints and dust more readily, so a regular wipe with a soft cloth keeps them looking their best, and you should avoid abrasive cleaners that could dull the shine. The reward is a surface that stays bright and modern with very little effort.
Wooden finishes benefit from gentle dusting and the occasional treatment with a suitable wood care product to keep the grain looking rich. Wipe up spills promptly and use coasters or mats for drinks and craft projects. With this light routine, a wooden chair develops a lovely lived in character while staying sturdy and smart for years.
Coordinating the finish with the whole room
The finish you choose for a storage chair sets a tone that ripples through the rest of the room. A high gloss chair pairs naturally with painted furniture, smooth surfaces and contemporary accessories, creating a bright and cohesive contemporary look. Wood, on the other hand, invites softer companions such as woven baskets, cotton textiles and other timber pieces, building a warm and layered scheme. Deciding on your finish early helps you make consistent choices for bedding, rugs and storage that all pull in the same direction.
It is worth thinking about the accessories a child already loves too. Bright bedding and colourful artwork sit comfortably against a neutral wooden chair, which acts as a calm backdrop. A glossy chair in a soft colour can itself become a gentle accent, tying into a cushion or a rug elsewhere in the room. To keep everything working together, our toy boxes UK designs come in finishes that complement both gloss and wood, so the storage across a room feels considered rather than assembled piece by piece.
Value that lasts beyond the early years
Children’s furniture is sometimes treated as a short term purchase, but a well made storage chair deserves to be seen differently. Both high gloss and wooden finishes, when properly built, cope with years of daily use and adapt as a child grows. The storage that once held soft toys can later hold books, art materials or games, and the chair itself remains a comfortable, familiar seat throughout.
This longevity is where the value really shows. Rather than replacing furniture at each new stage, you keep a piece that grows with your child and only needs a refresh of the accessories around it. A durable finish protects that investment, resisting the knocks and marks of childhood while staying smart. Chosen thoughtfully, a storage chair becomes one of those quietly reliable pieces that earns its place in a family home long after the early years have passed.
Comfort and safety in everyday use
Whichever finish appeals to you, comfort and safety should sit at the heart of your choice. A child is far more likely to use a chair they find comfortable, so a supportive back and a well proportioned seat encourage them to sit properly while reading or drawing. The height matters too, as a seat scaled to a small body helps good posture form naturally and makes the chair feel genuinely theirs rather than a scaled down version of adult furniture.
Safety features deserve close attention with any storage design. Supported or soft close lids reduce the risk of trapped fingers, while rounded corners and smooth edges guard against bumps during lively play. It is also worth checking that the chair is stable and does not tip easily when a child leans on it or climbs up. Good finishes, whether glossy or wooden, should be free of sharp edges and easy to keep clean. When comfort and safety are built in from the start, a storage chair becomes a piece you can trust in daily use, letting children enjoy their own seat while giving parents genuine peace of mind.
Bringing it all together
A kids chair with storage is a smart addition to any child’s room, and the finish you choose lets you tailor it to your home. High gloss brings brightness, easy cleaning and a modern edge, while wood offers warmth, character and a timeless feel. Both hide toys neatly and both cope with the realities of family life, so the decision comes down to the mood you want to create and the style of the room it will join. Whichever you pick, you gain seating and storage in one tidy, hard working piece.
Frequently asked questions
Is a high gloss or wooden chair easier to clean?
Both wipe clean well, but a smooth high gloss surface tends to be the quickest to wipe over. Wood needs gentle care and occasional conditioning, while gloss simply needs a soft, damp cloth.
Which finish suits a small bedroom best?
High gloss can help a small or dim room feel brighter because it reflects light, though a pale wooden finish also keeps a compact space feeling warm and open. Choose based on the mood you prefer.
Will a wooden chair date over time?
Wood tends to be timeless. Its neutral tone rarely looks dated, and it adapts easily as your child grows, needing only a change of accessories to refresh the look around it.
Are the lids safe for young children?
Look for designs with supported or soft close lids, which help prevent trapped fingers. Always follow the age guidance and supervise very young children when they use the storage.

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