I turned my toddler’s chaos cave into a dreamy sanctuary with Max & Lily kids’ furniture

Hot take: Decorating a nursery is easy.

Most parents have a vision well before their little one is earthside, whether it’s the work of a lifelong dream or snagged from a page off Pinterest: soft, serene, cozy, and clean seems to be the common theme.

Their new bundle of joy will mostly stay balled up in their crib, so there’s no need to rush to childproof the whole place. Plus, it goes without saying, but babies don’t really have an opinion on paint colors or wood finishes. You basically can go to work, without their say in the matter.

Now, decorating a toddler’s room is a battle of another kind. These little humans have a whole personality, and suddenly, you’re working around their favorite colors, a never-ending stuffed animal collection, and arts and crafts galore. Finding a place for all their belongings, while also maintaining an aesthetic, seems like a near-impossible feat.

Of course, tiny tots also spend most of their time littering the floor with toys or rummaging through drawers, so no matter how nice you make it, their room often turns into a tornado zone. At least, that was the case with my daughter’s space, until Max & Lily stepped in.

I’d nearly given up in my search for affordable kids’ furniture when I stumbled upon Max & Lily’s sophisticated catalog. After sifting through the website, I had a second burst of hope. Beds, bunks, dressers, nightstands, and more, Max & Lily is essentially a one-stop shop for parents struggling to create a cool, kid-friendly space on a budget.

Not to mention, the designs were far less cartoonish than some of the clunky kids’ furniture I’ve seen before. The pieces looked smooth, simple, and modern, making it easy to blend them in with the rest of the home’s decor. Many are functional too, with hidden drawers for secret storage, so clean-up is a breeze.

All my research checked out, so I had to find out — could Max & Lily transform our mess into a best-kept kids’ room for my untamed toddler?

Max & Lily Review

Kenzie Upholstered Twin Bed

Max & Lily

Max & Lily offers a variety of unique beds, including bunks, trundles, floor beds, and lofted, space-saving designs that create a little oasis for a little one. As apartment dwellers, the Kenzie Upholstered Twin was one of the first to catch my eye — small, sturdy, and still stylish enough to stand out.

Miska Salemann

The bed arrived in a single box, which was heavy enough to require quite a bit of elbow grease from two full-grown adults, but it didn’t stop us. Once it was unpacked and the directions were laid out, the task seemed far less daunting. All the pieces were marked with corresponding letters, and it came with everything needed for setup, including slat rolls, hardware, and some tools. Putting it together was a test of patience, but the hard work paid off.

Miska Salemann

After three hours, my toddler was screaming “soft!” and climbing all over it like she’d been sleeping on it for years. She’s just tall enough to pull herself up, but the brand also offers a sea of low, floor beds for smaller kiddos. The padded chenille fabric is astoundingly soft, as she pointed out, and it has a warm, inviting feel that lights up a dreary space. Fortunately, the entire outer layer can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth, and so far, no spill has stood a chance. It’s topped off with the charming, curved headboard that I am growing jealous of by the day. If Max & Lily offered adult bedding, this frame would be in my room ASAP.

Miska Salemann

Max & Lily doesn’t sacrifice quality, either. Knot-free pine and engineered wood are combined to create a sturdy base, and you can tell how balanced it is when a wild kiddo is jumping all over it. It doesn’t budge, and considering it’s 400-pound weight limit, it really shouldn’t. It’s a sturdy bed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it outlived some of the other furniture in my house.

Miska Salemann

It’s clear this bed is built to survive the toddler years, but its true standout feature has to be its secret storage chest, which rolls out easily so little ones can access they’re favorite toys on-demand, and said toys can also be stowed away in an instant. I’ve managed to convince my daughter that it’s fun to make her toys disappear into it, and that in itself is priceless. It’s like the Kenzie bed is training her to be tidy.

Materials: Solid pine wood, engineered wood, chenille fabric | Dimensions: 78.75″ L x 43.75″ W x 50.5″ H | Color Options: 2

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Mid-Century Modern 6-Drawer Dresser

Max & Lily

The dresser is a key element of the kids’ room, and Max and Lilly’s Mid-Century Modern 6-Drawer design does not mess around. This style is a smart choice for parents looking for something that’s just as safe as it is sleek. The non-toxic, low-VOC finish helps ensure a safer environment for your kiddo, meeting or exceeding U.S. safety standards.

New York Post Composite

Like the bed, the dresser arrived in one box, and the lofty weight confirmed its solid wood construction. The most difficult part of the assembly was probably the fact that it’s a completely white dresser (besides the angled feet), which means it’s important to identify all the pieces before you get to work… learn from my mistake or risk starting from scratch.

Miska Salemann

My daughter may be too young to appreciate a Mid-Century modern design moment, but I’m loving the clean finishes, and the functionality is not lost on her. Its low-profile design allows her to reach her own clothing, and the gliding drawers open easily, without much force (and so far, without any finger jams). It’s a practical choice for a kid who’s gaining their independence.

Miska Salemann

The build of this dresser was just right for our needs, but bigger families might prefer something with slightly larger drawers. I can easily fit my daughter’s Spring and Summer wardrobe, but the lower depth may be a bit tight for a shared room or multi-use storage area. Max & Lily also offers dressers in different configurations, so there’s sure to be something that fits in your space.

Material: Solid, knot-free wood with low VOC finishes | Dimensions: 52” L x 16.25” W x 36” H | Color Options: 3

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Scandinavian Nightstand (Set of 2)

Max & Lily

To round out the room, we opted for the Scandinavian nightstand set. This simple, minimalistic set was just the right size to fit on either side of the bed for a little more storage. Unlike some stumpier designs I’ve seen, the tall legs on this one make the entire nightstand look a bit more elegant. In true ‘Scandi-style,’ the natural wood grain is preserved for a chic modern look, and you can see and feel the quality. There are six lovely shades to choose from, but we opted for white to match the dresser.

Miska salemann

After putting the bed and dresser together, the Scandinavian Nightstands felt like a walk in the park. Both nightstands arrived in a single box and were light enough to carry up solo. The directions were clear, and with only a few pieces and legs to put in place, it wasn’t all that complicated. As with many sets I’ve constructed, once the first is done, building the other one feels like second nature.

Miska Salemann

I’ve lived with many different nightstands, and this was my first experience with a single drawer system. While two compartments can help with organization, I was actually very pleased with the generous width and depth of this design. My daughter quickly decided to throw her favorite toys in each drawer, so it’s not like I need it to be super neat, anyway.

Miska Salemann

As with all the Max & Lily furniture we tested, these nightstands felt like they were made for kids first. They open very easily, and the ergonomic design means my daughter’s little fingers fit around the curve perfectly so she can pull it open and close it by herself. It’s low enough to the ground for her to access it, but still tall enough that I don’t need to hunch over if I’m looking for something.

Material: Solid, knot-free wood with low VOC finishes | Dimensions: 9.75” L x 17.5” W x 22.5” H | Color Options: 6

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Shipping and Assembly

Miska Salemann

Max & Lily strives to make your new room makeover a simple and fast process, and the flexible shopping options make that possible. The company ships through FedEx across the United States and Canada, and offers free shipping for orders of $350 or more. After placing your order, customers can expect it to be processed in two to five business days. Transit times vary based on the destination’s proximity to Max & Lily’s South Carolina or California warehouses. My order shipped out on a Monday and arrived two days later. Most of the packages were left in my lobby. When I was not home to ring one in, it was placed outside the front door, tucked out of sight behind a wall, which we know is necessary in New York City.

Miska Salemann

There are a couple of options when it comes to assembly, but Max & Lily furniture should be manageable for any person with basic reading and building skills. The furniture pieces are clearly labeled and come with extensive step-by-step directions, so you know exactly where everything goes. My items came with all the necessary tools, but a power drill certainly sped things up. The time it takes to construct each item varies based on its size, but expect to spend between one and three hours and enlist help from a friend for bigger projects, like beds or dressers. Max & Lily also partner with local assembly services (available at an additional cost) if you’re not too confident with your DIY skills.

Miska Salemann

Max & Lily VS. Other Kids’ Furniture

The adult furniture and decor category is extensive, with options for every kind of interior style and budget. Unfortunately, there are far fewer dedicated kids’ furniture companies, and even fewer that offer stylish, functional furniture that blends in with the rest of the home’s design. I’ve browsed options like Delta Children, IKEA, and Pottery Barn Kids, each of which brings its unique approach to kid-friendly feng-shui. In reviewing Max & Lily, I found that the brand’s catalog is much more refined, less cartoonish, and most products are made with high-quality New Zealand pine, so parents know they’re purchasing high-quality, child-safe products that will last the test of time. Max & Lily also offers many space-saving options, which make it an attractive choice for families that are furnishing smaller homes and apartments and want to maximize storage.

Final Verdict

For my daughter’s room makeover needs, Max & Lily was a match made in Heaven. There was a wide selection of products to choose from, and I appreciated that most time on the site are already well-reviewed, so you can see how the furniture fits in real people’s spaces. I opted for a bed frame and dressers that would maximize storage, and Max & Lily delivered. While these items might seem a little more basic than the colorful, character-inspired kids’ furniture that you can find on Amazon, I find them to look much more elegant and easy to style with seasonal decor. Each item was built with my toddler’s needs in mind, at the right height for her to open drawers, crawl into bed, and put away her toys. Shipping was fast, and assembly was a bit easier than expected, but it’s still important to note that you’re going to want to set some time and space aside for setup. All in all, I’d highly recommend the brand for and family looking to revamp their kids’ space. It’s solid, high-quality, and still stylish enough to keep the door to the kid’s room open — you’ll want to show it off.

How We Tested

Miska Salemann

As with any furniture pieces, we spent a couple of weeks living alongside these different items before piecing together a complete review. I kept in mind a few main factors when considering how Max & Lily stacks up to competitors: the quality of material, assembly, design, and safety.

• Quality of Material: Max & Lily uses solid, knot-free New Zealand pinewood with low VOC finishes. This material ensures greater longevity than some less-expensive brands that utilize particleboard. Max & Lily is also GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning the designs have lower chemical emissions, contributing to cleaner and healthier air in your home.
• Shipping and Assembly: Max & Lily shipped faster than I expected, and the packages were left in a safe and secure place. Some were heavy enough to require two adults, but they were still manageable. Assembly took some time, but it wasn’t any more complicated than your typical DIY project. All the tools and step-by-step directions were provided.
• Design and Practicality: Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to style and functionality, but my main focus was how well the furniture fit in our space and whether it was easy to use for storage needs. I measured my daughter’s room before putting in the order, and the dimensions reported on the site were accurate. The storage was easy to access and provided the perfect amount of space for one child’s clothing and toys.
• Safety: Safety with kids’ furniture is paramount. I looked for smooth, rounded corners, clean finishes, and gliding drawers that would ensure my daughter could use her new furniture without blisters or jammed fingers. I found that Max & Lily furniture is child-friendly as is, and the brand also offers additional guardrails and secure climbing options to help keep kids safe.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.

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