Children's Room Highboard — Dimensions, Solutions, Ideas

February 1, 2026

A highboard in a children's bedroom is a mid-height cabinet, typically between 100 cm and 130 cm high, which functions as a space-saving alternative to a traditional wardrobe.

Particularly in rooms that serve simultaneously as sleeping, studying, and play areas, choosing the right furniture is crucial. Due to its vertical orientation, a highboard offers plenty of storage space for clothes, books, or toys without overly dominating the floor area of the room. This guide explains what DIY enthusiasts must look out for regarding dimensions, material selection, and assembly.

Dimensions and Room Suitability

The sizing of the furniture determines how much freedom of movement remains in the child's room. Standard furniture is often too bulky. A highboard with a slim design solves this issue.

If the furniture unit stands against a wall close to the room door or bed, depth is the most important measurement. A carcass that is 30 cm deep or 35 cm deep does not protrude awkwardly into the room, leaving enough space for walkways or a play rug. In terms of width, models with a width of 70 cm or 75 cm are very common, as they fit precisely into typical alcoves between a window and wall or next to the bed.

Despite the shallow depth, folded T-shirts, trousers, or boxes for small items can be accommodated effortlessly in these highboards. However, this depth is not sufficient for hanging garments — for this, a regular children's bedroom wardrobe with a standard depth of around 55 cm to 60 cm is required.

How to Choose: Criteria for Materials and Mechanics

Children's bedroom furniture must withstand daily mechanical stress. The construction and the furniture fittings used play a central role here.

Materials and Finishes

The carcass generally consists of chipboard or MDF, coated with melamine resin. This coating makes the surface scratch-resistant and washable. Colour concepts influence the perception of the space:

A finish in white reflects light and makes small rooms feel larger.
A finish in Wotan oak brings a natural wood look into the room and is visually more forgiving of minor scratches or dust than solid single-colour surfaces.
A black highboard is frequently chosen for teenagers' bedrooms, as it forms a strong contrast with light walls and offers a more mature appearance.

Furniture Fittings and Safety

Doors on children's furniture are often shut forcefully. A concealed cup hinge with an opening angle of 110° is the standard here. It is strongly recommended to use hinges with integrated soft-close mechanisms. This mechanism decelerates the door over the last few centimetres and pulls it gently shut. This prevents loud banging and minimises the risk of trapped fingers.

If the highboard features drawers, attention should be paid to the type of runner. A ball bearing runner or a concealed undermount runner provides stability. A full extension runner allows the drawer to be pulled out 100%, making toys stored at the very back easily accessible.

Assembly and Installation: DIY Tips

Assembling such furniture is like working with a large-scale construction kit, where precise assembly determines durability. Most flat-pack furniture uses standardised connecting fittings.

Required tools:

Pozidriv screwdriver (size PZ2 for most fittings)
Allen key (often included)
Rubber mallet
Spirit level
Drill (for wall fixing)

Steps for a solid assembly:

Always insert wooden dowels with a drop of wood glue, even if the instructions state this is optional. This vastly increases the torsional rigidity of the carcass.
The cam lock connector (consisting of a cam pin and housing) pulls the components together. The pin must be screwed in flush before the housing is locked with a half turn.
The back panel is usually fixed using small nails or chipboard screws. Important: Check that the carcass is precisely square using a spirit level (by measuring diagonals) before securing the back panel. Otherwise, the doors will bind later.

Mandatory Requirement: Anti-Tip Restraint

A highboard has a higher centre of gravity than a low children's chest of drawers. When a child pulls out drawers and leans on them, the weight shifts forward. The furniture unit must be securely anchored to a solid wall using a metal bracket and suitable wall plugs.

Solutions and Room Concepts

A highboard integrates exceptionally well into existing room layouts. When space is too tight for a bulky wardrobe, combining a slim highboard for folded clothes and toys with a separate, smaller unit for hanging items is often the better solution.

If siblings share the room, a larger piece of furniture such as a 2-person wardrobe can be positioned against the main wall, while slim highboards in the corners define individual storage areas for each child. This keeps the centre of the room clear for play.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What depth is ideal for a children's bedroom highboard? For tight spaces or narrow walkways, depths of 30 cm to 35 cm are ideal. They offer sufficient room for folded clothes or books without cramping the room. However, this depth is unsuitable for large toy boxes or hanging clothes.

What is the difference between a highboard and a chest of drawers? The difference lies primarily in the height. A chest of drawers is usually between 70 cm and 90 cm high. A highboard starts from around 100 cm in height and reaches up to approximately 130 cm. It provides more vertical storage space on the same floor footprint.

How do I adjust the doors on a highboard correctly? Adjustment is carried out using the adjustment screws on the cup hinge. The front screw regulates the lateral gap (left/right), whilst the rear screw on the hinge arm adjusts the depth (distance between the door and carcass). Height is typically adjusted via the cruciform mounting plate on the carcass side panel.

Are drawers or doors better for children's bedroom furniture? A combination of both is often the most practical. Clutter-prone items (such as board games or large storage boxes) can be concealed behind doors. Drawers featuring full extension runners are ideal for small items such as socks, craft materials, or building blocks.