Avenlur furniture guide
Kids turn the couch into a fort and the dining table into a cave because they want a space that fits them. A child-sized table and chairs gives them one for real. This guide covers what makes a table "Montessori," what kids get from their own table, how to size it by age and what to look for when you buy.
See the sizing guide
What is Montessori furniture?
Montessori furniture is furniture sized and designed so a young child can use it without an adult's help. A Montessori table sits at the right height for small bodies, and its chairs are light enough for a toddler to pull out, sit down and push back in alone. There's no official Montessori certification for furniture. The term describes pieces that follow Montessori principles: child-sized, simple, sturdy and easy to use independently.
At the family table, nothing fits a toddler. The chair is too high, their feet dangle and the plate is too far away. They need help to sit down, help to get up and help to reach their crayons.
A table and chairs at their height changes that. They can sit down to draw when they want to, set out a snack, and get up when they're done, all on their own. That everyday independence is the core idea behind Montessori furniture.
Benefits
Kids can sit down and get up without being lifted into a high chair or onto a grown-up seat, and decide when to work, eat or play.
When feet are flat and the tabletop is at the right height, kids are more comfortable, which makes it easier to stay with a puzzle or drawing.
A dedicated spot with crayons, paper and play dough within reach invites drawing, building and making things whenever inspiration hits.
Kids can practice setting the table, serving a snack, eating on their own and clearing their plate, the practical life skills Montessori emphasizes.
A table with several chairs is a natural place for siblings and friends to share supplies, take turns and talk over snacks.
A table that belongs to them gives kids a sense of ownership, and gives parents the family table back.
Sizing guide
These are typical ranges. Your child's height matters more than their age, so check the fit once they sit down.
| Age | Table height | Chair seat height |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months to 2 years | About 14 to 16 in | About 6 to 8 in |
| 2 to 3 years | About 16 to 18 in | About 8 to 10 in |
| 3 to 5 years | About 18 to 22 in | About 10 to 12 in |
| 5 to 7 years | About 22 to 24 in | About 12 to 14 in |
Your child's feet should rest flat on the ground, not dangle, with knees bent at about a right angle.
Seated, the tabletop should land around elbow height. The gap between seat and tabletop is usually about 7 to 9 inches.
Furnishing a classroom or daycare? See our classroom table and chair sizing guide for grade-by-grade heights.
Buying guide
Use the chart above, or choose an adjustable table that can be raised as your child grows so it lasts through preschool.
Chairs should be sturdy enough not to tip when a toddler climbs on, and light enough that they can pull them out and push them in themselves.
Toddlers bump into furniture. Rounded corners and smooth surfaces matter at their eye level.
One chair for a solo work space, or two to four if siblings and friends will share it for crafts and snacks.
Art, snacks and play dough all end up on the table, so choose a surface that wipes clean easily.
Natural wood and neutral colors blend into a living room or kitchen, so the table doesn't have to be hidden in the playroom.
Wood vs. plastic
Plastic tables are light, inexpensive and easy to carry outside, which makes them handy for messy outdoor projects. For everyday use indoors, wood has real advantages.
Wooden tables and chairs are typically heavier and steadier, so they stay put when a toddler leans or climbs on them. They hold up to years of daily crafts and meals, and they look like furniture rather than a toy, so they fit in a kitchen or living room. If you want one set to last from toddlerhood through preschool, solid wood is usually the better investment.
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Shop nowFAQs
A Montessori table and chair set is child-sized furniture that a young child can use without help. The table sits at the right height for their body, and the chairs are light enough for them to pull out and push in on their own. There is no official Montessori certification for furniture. The term describes furniture that follows Montessori principles: child-sized, simple and easy to use independently.
Most children are ready for their own table once they can sit and climb onto a low chair steadily, usually somewhere between 12 and 18 months. Weaning tables suit young toddlers, and adjustable tables like the Adrian can be raised as your child grows through preschool.
It depends on your child’s height, not just their age. As a rough guide, toddlers under 2 usually fit a table around 14 to 16 inches tall, and children 2 to 5 usually fit tables between 18 and 22 inches. Check the fit: feet flat on the floor, knees at about a right angle and the tabletop near elbow height when seated.
The tabletop is usually about 7 to 9 inches above the chair seat. That gives your child room for their legs without having to reach up to the table.
Wood tables are typically heavier, sturdier and longer lasting, and they look like furniture rather than toys. Plastic tables are lighter, often cheaper and easy to move outdoors. For a table your child will use every day indoors for years, many parents prefer wood.
If you want one table to last from toddlerhood through preschool, yes. An adjustable table can be raised as your child grows, so you don’t have to replace it after a year or two.
One chair works for a single child’s work space. If you have siblings or host playdates, a set with two to four chairs gives everyone a seat.
Keep reading
Child-sized wooden tables and chairs, shipped free in the continental US with a five-year warranty.
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