Children love things that are scaled to their own size, such as their play kitchens or toolbenches, or their toddler bed. The same goes for furniture such as sofas, chairs and tables. So why not incorporate a piece or two into your own house?

It is much easier for a toddler to sit down at a small-sized table to color or draw. It is easier to grab a crayon that has rolled off the table than it is if he or she was sitting at the adult's kitchen table atop a booster seat (which many need help getting up and down out of).

Same goes for furniture. When you watch your child struggle to get up on the couch to site down, you probably realize why she favors her bean bag chair instead - it is quick and easy to get in and out of.

Child-sized furniture is now readily available at toy stores, and you can often find popular Little Tikes table and chair sets at consignment stores and garage sales. Same goes for the foam chairs and unfolding "sofas" - all in miniature size, perfect for your toddler.

Worried that a bright red Elmo chair clashes with your living room sofa? If you sew, you can often find these patterns for the chairs, so you can easily recover them to match your own living room decor.

In reality, if you buy your toddler a small table and chair set, chances are it will be used for years to come. And especially if you plan on more kids, it will get many years of use, and be well worth the expense in the long run.