A Comprehensive Buying Guide to Choosing Nursery Furniture
Welcoming a newborn baby is such a beautiful moment for parents. Having to experience the innocence and love of a baby is such a blessing, it’s a moment of such happiness. Having said that, a lot of preparation has to go into welcoming a baby, and one of the most important tasks is getting the nursery ready. Now, to ensure that your little bundle of joy is going to feel comfortable and safe, and everything is going to be convenient and easy for you, you need to get the right nursery furniture for the room. Besides, getting the nursery ready and choosing the nursery furniture sets together is a wonderful way for going-to-be parents to connect, bond, communicate, and spend time with each other.
In this comprehensive buying guide, we will shed light on the different kinds of nursery furniture for newborns and toddlers that are available, factors that you need to keep in mind when choosing the furniture, why is it important to have the right nursery furniture, and more.
Before we begin with the different kinds of nursery furniture that you should have and how to choose them, let’s first look into why is it so important to have the right furniture.
Table of Contents
- Why is it Crucial to Select the Right Nursery Furniture for Your Baby?
- Essential Nursery Furniture Pieces
- How to Choose Nursery Furniture: Key Features to Consider?
- Baby-Proofing Tips for Nursery
Why is it Crucial to Select the Right Nursery Furniture for Your Baby?
Getting the right nursery furniture is extremely crucial for various reasons.
• Safety is one of the most crucial factors when choosing nursery furniture. You always need to ensure that you select nursery furniture sets that are designed keeping in mind your baby’s safety. This could be round edges, comfortable bedding, safety straps, etc. so that your baby is safe from any accidents or injuries.
• For new parents, convenience is also extremely necessary, hence, choosing furniture that can make everyday tasks easy is really helpful. This could be nursery furniture that has more storage space for essentials such as your baby’s clothes, diapers, towels, etc., or a portable changing table or diaper changing station, that makes changing your baby’s diapers and clothes super convenient.
• Comfort is something that you cannot compromise with at all when it comes to selecting a piece of nursery furniture for yourself and your bundle of joy. Therefore, choosing good-quality, ergonomic furniture is very necessary so that changing, feeding, rocking your baby to sleep, etc., can be done comfortably.
• With a baby at home, it is obvious that you are going to have additional things such as diapers, baby clothes, toys, etc. Hence, it is always better to have proper storage solutions. If you have sufficient storage space in your nursery, your place tends to look clean and organized, in turn making you feel less stressed when you look at a tidy place. Besides, it is much easier to find things when they are well-organized.
• Good quality nursery furniture adds to the aesthetic appeal of your nursery. It makes you feel good, creating a nice cozy, and nurturing space.
Essential Nursery Furniture Pieces
Let’s take a look at some essential nursery furniture pieces that you need for your baby.
Sleep Essentials: Cribs and Bassinets
Cribs:
Cribs are one of the most essential nursery furniture pieces that you need when you have a baby. You have various types available, from standard cribs that are basically meant only for your little one to sleep on to convertible cribs that actually can be converted into beds for the toddler stage. Also, look out for travel cribs as well, they are ideal for traveling with your baby.
Moreover, whenever you are choosing a crib for your little one ensure that they have all the necessary safety features such as a suitable 2 to 3/8 inches slat distance, no missing or cracked slat, firm mattress, adjustable mattress height, no over 1/16-inch corner post, no cut-outs in the headboards and footboards, and more.
Bassinets:
In addition, you can go for bassinets as well. These are basically smaller and more portable compared to a crib and quite ideal for a newborn child. Moreover, they are apt for small apartments and if you need to change the sleeping area for your baby. However, these choices completely depend on your baby’s needs and comfort.
Changing Solutions: Changing Tables, Changing Dressers, or Changing Stations
Changing Stations:
Baby diaper changing stations are one of the most convenient nursery furniture to have for changing your little one’s diapers with ease. This baby changing station is basically a flat sturdy surface that comes with a raised guardrail and safety straps to ensure the safety of your baby. Moreover, you even have portable changing station options that are ideal when you are traveling or when you do not want to use the ones in public for safety and cleanliness purposes.
Changing Tables:
A baby changing table like a baby changing station is also used for changing your baby’s diaper and clothes. However, what differentiates a diaper changing table from a station is that besides a flat surface, it also comes with shelves, mostly a more open design, for storing other essentials such as diapers, baby wipes, moisturizers, etc. Besides, you also have portable baby changing table options for your travel needs and if you want something that could save you some space, then a fordable diaper change table is quite the ideal choice.
Changing Dressers:
Like changing tables, you have baby changing table dressers that serve the same purpose, changing and storing. They come with a flat changing surface with a comfortable mattress on the top and with numerous drawers below to store all your baby’s essentials. The best part about a changing table dresser is that it adds to the aesthetics of your nursery besides serving as an ideal changing and storing solution. Moreover, once your baby is a toddler, you can remove the flat changing station (some do have the removable feature) and use it as a normal dresser for storing your baby’s clothes, toys, etc.
Soothing and Mobility: Nursery Gliders or Rockers and Strollers
Nursery Gliders or Rockers:
Your newborn baby is naturally going to be fussy and cranky at times and if you find yourself often times in this situation, a nursery glider or a nursery rocker can be a great option for you. It’s particularly ideal for feeding routines and whenever you need to soothe your baby. Look for a nursery glider or a rocker that is extremely comfortable - this is a very important feature. Besides, make sure that it has a gentle and smooth motion, a proper lumbar support, a sturdy and durable construction, a reclining feature, an easy-to-clean upholstery, safety locks, a swivel function, and more.
Strollers:
For conveniently moving around with your baby, a compact stroller is just what you need. Whether you are going to the park, a retail store, or just a walk, strollers are pretty handy for both convenience and mobility. Lightweight, foldable, compact designs strollers are something that you should look for, these are precisely best for easy management.
Standing and Climbing: Step Stools
Step Stools:
Step stools are ideal for toddlers if they need to reach bookshelves in the room, sinks to wash their hands in the kitchen, or countertops to assist with some minor chores. Basically, these are perfect for them if they need to reach a higher place. Moreover, these step stools actually give your toddlers the independence they need and are quite versatile in their purpose.
When looking for a step stool make sure they have all the necessary safety features such as a non-slip platform, anti-slip steps, spread lock, etc. If you need one wherein you are able to save space as well as store easily, then opt for a foldable toddler step stool. These are lightweight and can be taken around wherever you need to.
How to Choose Nursery Furniture: Key Features to Consider?
Let’s take a look at some of the key features that you need to consider when choosing nursery furniture.
Safety
Safety is the most crucial when it comes to choosing nursery furniture. You have to ensure that all the safety guidelines and standards are met. Also, make sure that whatever material you choose for the furniture, they are all non-toxic. Besides, make certain that the edges of furniture are rounded, it has ant-slip features, and locking systems wherever needed to avoid any uncalled-for mishap.
Size and Space
Before you consider buying any nursery furniture, always take into consideration the size of the nursery room. Make sure you have adequate space to fit the furniture you are looking for. Besides, also take into consideration the furniture size and dimensions. It’s important to keep in mind both the size of the furniture and the nursery room before you buy furniture so that the place doesn’t end up looking all cramped up. Look for foldable options such as a foldable diaper change table, a foldable toddler step stool, a foldable bassinet, etc. Foldable options give you more space as you can always fold and store them away when not in use.
Multi-functional and Practical
Nursery furniture that serve two or more purposes are a great option. Therefore, look for multifunctional furniture pieces such as a changing table dresser that comes with a flat surface top for changing diapers and clothes of your baby and numerous drawers below to store all your baby’s essentials – clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, etc. Additionally, make sure the furniture is easy to assemble, use, clean and maintain.
Eco-Friendly
A baby’s skin as we all know is quite sensitive, therefore, choosing furniture materials that are sustainable is a sensible choice. Soft cotton mattresses, bamboo furniture, etc., are an ideal choice.
High-Quality and Durability
Look for high-quality and durable nursery furniture so that it lasts you long enough without getting damaged easily. Therefore, opt for ones that are strongly constructed and come with a warranty and a guarantee.
Comfort
Another very crucial feature to consider without a doubt is comfort. Ensure that the furniture you choose is comfortable for you and the baby. For instance, the mattress on which your baby would sleep should be firm, waterproof, hypoallergenic, etc. so that your little one can sleep comfortably. Moreover, get nursery gliders or rocking chairs that have proper lumbar support, smooth motion, etc. so that you are comfortable when you sit for long hours and soothe your baby or rock them to sleep. Basically, the comfort of both you and your child needs to be taken into consideration.
Aesthetic Appeal
Keeping in mind the aesthetics of your home when choosing furniture is also important. You can always plan the type of furniture and the color themes you want based on the overall look of your house. This is a great way to bring out that harmonious aesthetic appeal.
Budget
The price of nursery furniture varies based on the size, quality, type, etc. So, based on the budget you set aside, choose furniture that meets your needs. Try and balance out the expense and the quality of the furniture. Having said that, never compromise on quality, safety features, and comfort because these are absolutely essential for the well-being of your little one.
Baby-Proofing Tips for Nursery
Besides getting the right nursery furniture sets, it’s extremely essential to baby-proof the nursery as well. Here are a few baby-proofing tips.
• Properly secure furniture to the wall.
• Have soft, cushiony and ant-slip rugs on the floor.
• Have corner guards and straps for your furniture pieces.
• Install safety gates and outlet covers.
• Remove all small objects that could be a choking hazard.
In conclusion, choosing the right nursery furniture is essential for the safety, well-being, and growth of your baby. You need to build a space for both, your and your baby’s needs, and convenience. Hence, the nursery furniture that you decide to purchase should be bought by taking into consideration comfort and functionality.
