The case for pine in children’s furniture

A gentle, light timber with plenty of heart (and a few quirks too).

Not everything needs to be heavy to carry meaning. Pine is one of those timbers that feels familiar and approachable. It’s light, soft, and widely used—often the first material many people think of when they picture handcrafted furniture.

While we’ve built most of our children’s beds in hardwood, we’ve worked with pine too. And we know it has its own kind of charm—especially for families looking for something simple, lightweight, and affordable.

It’s light and easy to move

One of pine’s biggest advantages is its weight—or lack of it. It’s much lighter than hardwoods like Blackbutt, which makes it ideal for smaller spaces, families who move often, or anyone who wants the flexibility to rearrange rooms as their child grows.

If you’re setting up a nursery solo or moving beds from room to room, pine makes that feel a little less like a workout.

It’s affordable and accessible

Pine is widely available and typically much more affordable than native hardwoods. For families on a budget—or those just starting out—it offers a cost-effective way to create a warm, natural space without relying on flat-pack furniture or particleboard.

This lower price point also makes it easier to experiment or customise—especially for DIY projects.

It has a soft, light look

Pine has a gentle, straw-coloured tone that brings a lightness to any room. Its natural knots and grain give it a rustic, handmade feel that can be especially beautiful in children’s spaces. It takes paint and stain well, too, so it’s a good base for those wanting to customise.

When left raw, pine feels soft and simple—perfect for minimal, airy spaces or for pairing with bolder colours and textures.

But it’s not without trade-offs

As with anything, pine has its limitations—especially when used in furniture meant to last through childhood (and maybe beyond). Here are a few things we’ve noticed over the years:

It dents and stains more easily

Pine is a softwood, which means it’s more prone to dents, scratches, and surface wear. A dropped toy or enthusiastic climber can leave a mark. Liquids (like milk, water, or food) tend to soak in faster, and without a good seal, the surface can stain or discolour over time.

That means more upkeep—or living with the perfectly imperfect signs of use.

It’s not ideal for repeated disassembly

Because it’s less dense, pine can wear out faster around screw holes and joints. If you’re planning to take furniture apart and put it back together multiple times (for moving house or room swaps), the fixings can become loose or strip out over time.

With care, pine furniture can last—but it’s not as forgiving as hardwood when it comes to rough handling.

It may be chemically treated

Much of the commercial pine available in Australia (especially plantation pine) is treated for pest resistance. That often means added chemicals—unless you specifically source untreated or sustainably grown options. If you’re aiming for a non-toxic, low-VOC space for your child, it’s important to ask about how the pine has been treated and finished.

We recommend looking for untreated pine or using low-tox finishes if you're working on a DIY project.

When Pine Makes Sense

We believe pine absolutely has a place in children's furniture—especially when you're working within a budget, value lightweight design, or want to build something yourself.

While it may not hold up for generations like some hardwoods, pine can still offer years of everyday use with the right care. It’s a beautiful material for early childhood years—when lightness, ease, and simplicity matter most.

Sometimes the most meaningful things don’t need to last forever—they just need to be right for right now.

 

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