As a new parent, your must be excited to prepare everything needed before your little one's arrival. One of the biggest considerations is having a special, dedicated room for your baby – a nursery room. And the biggest part in setting up the room is getting nursery furniture.
Shopping nursery furniture can take a lot of time and efforts especially if you are a new parent. That's why we wrote this article to provide some insights on what are essential nursery furniture you should have for your baby's nursery.
If you need some help on organizing your baby shopping items, you can head to this baby checklist page.
CRUTIAL THINGS TO CONSIDER FOR A NURSERY ROOM
- Age-appropriate Furniture
Not all furniture can be placed in a baby room. What are on top of your head? Probably a crib, a changing station, and some storage solutions like a dresser. A convertible crib is now one of the popular options most parents go with.
- Safety Considerations
Always consider safety first. No matter how pretty the nursery furniture looks, if it is not designed for baby's safety then leave it. Make sure to check whether the furniture meets latest safety standards. As of 2011, all cribs manufactured are required to meet the standards put forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Space Planning
Another thing to consider is the space you planned for your nursery. Before making any purchase, make sure you have your dedicated room measured. Make a simple layout plan and take into account the aspects of safety, comfort, and convenience. Don’t overcrowd your nursery, and make sure there is enough space for you to move around and for your kid to run and play once they get on their own two feet!
ESSENTIAL NURSERY FURNITURE PIECES
You can always add more to this list. But here are the essential pieces you should definitely consider to have.
- Crib & crib mattress
- Changing table or changing station
- Dresser
- Nursery rocking chair or nursery glider
- Nursery chifferobe
- Night stand
Crib and crib mattress
There are many types of cribs you can choose from, such as the convertible cribs, like a 3-in-1 crib and a 4-in-1 crib, a traditional crib, a mini crib if you have limited space, or a crib & changer combo. If you plan to only use the crib for first 1-2 years, you can get a traditional one. But if you want to keep using it after your kid grows up, you can buy a convertible one that can convert into a toddler bed, a daybed and even a full bed. Buying a convertible crib can potentially help you save money. Also it helps with transition from crib to toddler bed much easier for your kid since he/she already familiar with it. If you have a limited or small space, a mini crib or a crib & changer combo would be your better choice.
Need more guidance on buying a crib? Head to this post.
Changing table or changing station
A changing table or diapering station is another crucial piece of furniture in your nursery. There are three main types for you to consider - a standalone changing table, a crib and changing table combo, or a changer dresser. No matter what your preference is, the most important thing is to consider the safety aspect, materials, and storage space.
If you have limited space or want something more convenient, the crib & changer combo type would be a better option since it normally comes with more room for storage and everything will be within your arm’s reach.
The changer dresser is also a good choice for space-saving. It also saves money since you can remove the changing topper and use it as a bedroom dresser once your baby grows up.
Organizational TipsOnce you have your perfect changing table, don’t forget to organize it in a way that will make your ‘messy’ experience easier. Make sure the changing station itself is always clean, free from any hazardous items, and comfortable for both you and your baby. Place your baby’s necessities, such as diapers, wipes, and rash cream in a drawer that can be easily reached with one hand. Place the diaper pail or trash can just next to your changing station. You can organize all your baby’s stuff by adding baskets, trays, dividers, or anything that is suitable so that when you want something, you know exactly where to get it.
Dresser
A dresser is necessary in your nursery room. You will need a lot of storage space for your baby's items, such as burp cloths, bibs, onesies, hats, socks, blankets, toys, and swaddles. You can also leave your nursery essentials there, like nursing bras, nursing pads, and milk storage bag.
Nursery rocking chair or nursery glider
Next up is the nursery chair. Whether it is nursery rocking chair, a nursery glider, or a nursery recliner, this is a crucial piece to make your nursing life easier. On average, a mom spend 1,800 hours on breastfeeding in the first year of their baby's life. If you need some comparison to get an idea how long it is, a 40-hour work week with holiday, comes in at 1,960 hours.
Aside from feeding your baby, a nursery chair is also a good spot to sooth and bond with your little one. You can rock your baby to sleep, or reading a bedtime story once your baby is a little bit older.
Nursery chifferobe
You will be surprised to find out how much stuff your baby will have. And that's when a nursery chifferobe is necessary. A chifferobe usually comes with drawers, closets, and cloth rod to hang your little one's cloths. It provides plenty of storage for you to organize your nursery.
SHOPPING TIPS AND BUDGETING
Since there are quite a number of items that are essential to include in your nursery, you need to plan well on your budget. Make a list of products you would like to buy and spend some time on research what options are out there. Remember to give yourself at least 2-3 months to do all the work since setting up your nursery takes time. That being said, finish all the purchasing before you start setting up your nursery. If you shop online, make sure to check with the store on the product lead time. Another great way to save money is to have your family and/or friends do group gifting on big ticket items, like a changing dresser. You can simply sign up a registry, put the products you want, and share the registry with them.
MAINTENANCE AND LONGEVITY
With all the money and energy that you invest in the furniture for the nursery room, you surely want the furniture to last for a long time and work well even after years of usage. Since nursery furniture is made of quality and durable materials, there is no doubt it will stand all the adventures. But to make sure the furniture is in top condition and always looking good, you have to take care of the cleaning and care aspects. For more information on this, you can read here as a guide.
Maintaining the furniture in good condition is useful when you want to repurpose the nursery room. The day will come when your baby no longer needs it, but the room and its furniture will serve a new purpose. If you get the convertible crib, your kid can still use it for a few more years. The dresser, armoire, or chifforobe can be move to a bedroom or keep in your toddler's room. And the nursery chair can be used in living room or bedroom as an extra seat.
FINAL THOUGHT
Don’t forget, no matter what your choices are, always put safety as your top priority. Only go with furniture that meets safety standards and is guaranteed to be safe to use around babies. Only then will other factors like convenience, comfort, and aesthetics come into play.
If you need any help on buying nursery furniture, you can always check our website or reach out to us at help@newbornurseryfurniture.com. We are more than happy to help!
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