It’s easy to have your home overtaken with bits of baby kit. Once resembling Grand Designs chic, in a matter of weeks it magically looks as though a unicorn emitted a catastrophic rainbow sneeze across your kitchen that is destined to be there forever more.
For any household nearing that weaning stage, it is inevitable that your once glossy kitchen will become more of a weaning factory, but it’s not all bad! We recently reviewed the iconic Tripp Trapp highchair from Scandinavian brand, Stokke. The Tripp Trapp is the first product the brand launched in 1972, long before they expanded out to pushchairs, car seats and lavish baby furniture. While there have been tweaks along the way, today’s Tripp Trapp still features the timeless style reminiscent of the original.
Design
The first thing you notice about this highchair is that it doesn’t look like a high chair. The unique design is a bold, solid wood structure that forms a ‘z’ shape that can be used from birth up to adult-hood.
The concept of the Tripp Trapp is centred on bringing the baby to the family, so that they can be included at the dining table and closer to eye level to watch, learn and engage. The clever ‘Z’ shape allows the chair to tuck neatly up to any table to facilitate this.
The highchair has a lot of flexibility, but in a different format to many others. You won’t find features such as a reclining seat, tray table, or collapse, but instead the footrest and seat plate both adjust at multiple levels throughout the height of the chair to create the relevant support required for children as they develop and grow. This simple concept of mixing and matching allows a small seat piece and cosy footrest for youngsters whilst in later years the footrest cleverly becomes the adult seat.
Oozing the Scandi-simple design, the added benefit of its clean, neat lines is that there are no nooks and crannies for food to get in, and as a result is easy to clean.
Quality
Over the years I have used and reviewed many highchairs, from the cheap plastic throw in the cupboard ones to the most luxurious overpriced eyesores, but the workmanship on the Tripp Trapp is one I hold in high esteem.
The high quality wood, choice of oak, ash or beech, is robust and made to stand the true test of time. As a result it is a heavier highchair meaning it is harder to transport round the home, but it does provide a tough, sustainable product that won’t easily wear and tear so it can be passed on to siblings and used into adult-hood.
Tripp Trapp® Beech Midnight Blue and Tripp Trapp® Newborn Set V2 with Grey textile set. 
Tripp Trapp® Chair Midnight Blue.
Personalisation
The Tripp Trapp is available in three different woods and over 10 colour ways, all beautiful earthy tones that can easily blend in with any home colour scheme or alternatively make a statement. In addition Stokke can also personalise the chair with a free name inscription to make it truly one of a kind.
Extras
To utilise the chair from the recommended weaning age of six months, you’ll need to purchase the Baby Kit. Featuring a five point harness and support, it stops any sneaky ideas about a getaway that your little one may have!
The Newborn Set is another add-on that can be used from birth creating a raised baby chair making it ideal for resting baby to play and/or nap.
The Tripp Trapp is priced from £178 from www.stokke.com
