Little humans start taking pride in their appearance from a pretty young age and kids’ dressing tables are the perfect bedroom items for practising all their preening and posing.

Kids’ dressing tables are functional tables that children use for imaginative play, dressing and honing their grooming skills. They usually include a mirror, a flat surface for storing accessories and some even come as a complete set with a vanity chair. But as well as being a fabulous piece of furniture for enhancing life skills, a kids’ dressing table is also super versatile, doubling as a desk in the older years.

Ready to find the cutest, coolest and most creative dressing tables for your mini? We’ve scouted out Australia’s top options for all ages and put them in a handy shortlist for you. First, let’s take a look at what you should consider when you’re shopping for one.

Mocka Make-Up Table

What to consider when buying a dressing table for children

• Safety – The biggest risk that comes with dressing tables is the risk of them toppling. Product Safety Australia recommends buying low-set and sturdy items with broad bases and looking for sets that come with wall-anchoring kits. In addition, avoid putting heavy items on dressing tables and consider placing locking devices on drawers to prevent young kids from climbing on them.
• Features – From drawers and shelves to mirrors and lights, there are lots of options out there when it comes to these tables. But before you buy, consider what your child will actually use.
• Colour – Pink might be the bee’s knees for your three-year-old, but will they still love it in a year’s time? Weigh up whether the cost warrants buying something that kids are likely to outgrow quickly. From our experience, neutral-coloured furniture tends to have more longevity. And that brings us to this next point …
• Versatility – To get the most use out of a children’s dressing table, make sure it’s versatile enough to be used in other ways. Can you use it as a desk later on? If you’re after something with longevity beyond the preschool years, consider buying a larger dressing table suitable for all ages. (We’ve listed some below!)
• Size – Be aware that kids’ dressing tables are quite tiny! If you want something for a school-aged child, tween or teenager, we suggest getting a standard-sized model.
• How hard is it to assemble? – Some styles come ready-made, others require assembly at home. If you’re not especially handy with an Allen key, make sure you look for a fully assembled one (although you’ll likely pay a little more for shipping).

12 Best Kids’ Dressing Tables In Australia

From pint-sized units for preschoolers to sets suitable for teenagers, we’ve put our favourites for all ages in one spot for you below. Cue those strings of pearls!

Le Toy Van Vanity Table, $299.99

Beautifully made in a Victorian style using sustainable rubber wood, this adorable vanity makes a perfect first dressing table for the over threes. It comes with one drawer on the main unit and two smaller drawers on the mirror hutch, all fitted with kid-friendly wooden pull handles. The rounded corners make it ideal for young kids (and their even younger siblings) and there is space to put all their favourite treasures. A matching stool is included.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 6 years

Madeline Play Vanity, $699

Available in a choice of white or pink, this absolute stunner from Pottery Barn Kids is like something out of a fairy tale. It uses kiln-dried hardwood and MDF to see kids through years of play and it is finished by hand with a child-safe lacquer for a luxe look. The three-panelled mirror offers great vision from all angles and the roomy compartments are perfect for storing accessories and books. The stool is available separately.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 8 years

Honey Joy Kids’ Pink Dressing Table, $112

Packed with cuteness, this pink and white bunny-themed dressing table will get little imaginations going. It uses a combination of MDF and solid wood and features a large drawer with a bunny pull handle, two storage boxes (great for stationery and well as make-up brushes) and a removable mirror hutch. A sweet chair is also included with bunny ears offering back support.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 8 years

Tender Leaf Forest Dressing Table, $261

Like something from a woodland wonderland, this sweet little vanity is specially designed for preschoolers to learn and play. It’s a great option if you are low on space because it has quite a compact frame – but what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in features! There’s a large central mirror (with ears, no less), five drawers with easy-pull wooden handles and a kiddie-sized stool. Best of all, the neutral palette will go with any kind of bedroom theme.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 6 years

Fantasy Fields Kids’ Vanity Table, $139.99

After something a little bit fancy? With French-style cabriole legs and gold polka dots, this dressing table is one they’ll never forget. It comes with a tri-fold acrylic mirror, a single desk drawer for storing make-up and accessories and an adorable matching stool. Perfectly sized for younger kids, it’s a great option for the early years and small enough to – especially if your child has a small bedroom.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 6 years

Mocka Make-Up Table, $189.99

One of our hands-down favourites for its versatility, the Mocka Make-Up Table is gender-neutral, classic and contemporary. Sized for adults, this is a great option for school-aged kids who need something that will grow with them. The wide rolling drawer includes eight compartments – ideal for storing accessories and even stationery if you want it to double as a desk. Position it under a wall-mounted mirror next to a bookcase for a sweet little nook they’ll use for years.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: School-aged kids, teenagers and young adults

Giantex Kids’ Dressing Table, $153.95

From a desk to a dressing table and back again. This dressing table from Giantex has a completely removable tri-fold mirror, which is a big plus if you’re after a set that your child can get years out of. With curved legs, a roomy drawer, a gem-shaped pull handle and a matching stool, it delivers lots of good looks. And the rounded corners and non-slip pads make it suitable for kids as young as three.

Assembled: No
Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 6 years

Keezi Kids’ Make-Up Table, $74.19

With a crisp white finish and curves in all the right places, this dressing table is a budget-friendly option for kids as young as three. It comes with an attached faux mirror, a well-sized central drawer and a matching stool. The desk height of this one is 60cm, so it’s a great one for the preschool years.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Kids aged 3 – 6 years

Levede Dressing Table With Drawers, $229.99

It’s sold hundreds of units – and it’s pretty clear to see why! From Levede, this celebrity-inspired MDF dressing table hits the mark perfectly for tweens and teenagers. Aside from the four drawers that offer loads of storage space, it comes with a matching PU leather stool, a real mirror and USB-powered LED lighting for all the Hollywood feels. The stool holds up to 100kg of weight making it a great option for young adults too.

Assembled: No
Best suited to: Tweens, teenagers and young adults

Brimnes Dressing Table, $179

IKEA never fails when it comes to affordable and smart furniture and the Brimnes dressing table is no exception. Highly versatile, it features a roomy pull-out drawer on the left and a built-in compartment on the right with a hinged lid and attached mirror. With so much hidden storage, this is one of our top picks for a clean look and super adaptable for growing kids. But the best bit? It matches the rest of the Brimnes series!

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Tweens, teenagers and young adults

Artiss White Dressing Table, $149.95

Low on price but huge on features, this Artiss dressing table fits into Hamptons and French Provincial homes beautifully. Features include twin table drawers with pretty handles, hutch drawers, a real tri-fold mirror and a matching padded stool. Suitable for kids right through to adulthood, this is a piece you’ll have in the family for decades.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Tweens, teenagers and young adults

Hemnes Dressing Table, $399

We don’t know what we love more – that glorious oval mirror or the luxe glass top. From IKEA, the Hemnes brings a touch of old-school glamour to younger bedrooms and it’s a piece of furniture that can adapt to growing kids and their lifestyle. Pair it up with an INGOLF stool or NORRARYD chair for a complete look they’ll love for years.

• Assembled: No
• Best suited to: Tweens, teenagers and young adults

Top image: Le Toy Van Honeybake Kids’ Vanity with Stool

Want to add a splash of colour to the kids’ rooms? Check out our favourite pink wallpaper for first bedrooms – and beyond!

This article first appeared on Making HOME.