PREPARING FOR A BABY WITH HIGH QUALITY NURSERY FURNITURE
Preparation for a new baby happens in several phases. First comes the excitement of welcoming a little one to your family. Next, pregnant moms often experience something known affectionately as “nesting,” which is essentially the desire to rearrange, renovate, repair and otherwise redecorate key areas of the home. During this second phase, most parents begin researching what furniture is needed in a nursery. While you should take some creative liberties with the decorative elements like wall decor, light fixtures and rugs, there are a few staple pieces of high quality nursery furniture that will make your life much easier while navigating the newborn, infant and toddler stages.
Nursery Furniture
Below is a quick list of the most important furniture pieces needed in your nursery
Crib
An absolute essential, cribs should top any list of what furniture is needed in a nursery. A crib is where your baby will start to sleep on their own once they are too big for a bassinet, and there are some important considerations to keep in mind when picking the right crib for your nursery.While it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference, some parents opt for metal baby cribs due to their durability and because they deter teething kids from possibly chewing on the crib rails. Plastic or acrylic cribs are also a great solution to this potential problem. However, there is no substitute for the classic appeal of a wooden baby crib that’s safe, strong, and perfectly suits your style.
Many baby cribs will also convert to a bed as your child gets older. This can save you money and provide a more convenient option that doesn’t require swapping out and storing multiple furniture pieces. If you invest in a high quality baby crib you’ll be able to use it for many years to come and multiple children.
Bassinet
When your baby is still in the infant stage they will likely nap in a bassinet and begin to sleep there at night as they get older. Some bassinets are portable for snuggled sleeping on-the-go, but parents commonly choose to buy a stronger standalone baby bassinet that can be used throughout their home, including in the nursery.
Changing Table
A changing table is non-negotiable in any nursery and it ranks second only to the crib in importance. You’ll want a sturdy changing table with plenty of storage to keep diapers, pacifiers, clothes and changing materials close at hand. While smaller changing stations are conveniently sized for moving around a house, other changing tables are a longer-term solution that also double as a kids dresser once the diaper days are behind you.
Rocking or Nursing Chair
No matter how well your sweet baby sleeps, there will still be many long nights spent in the nursery while rocking to sleep, feeding, soothing and then doing it all again! A comfortable rocker or glider chair with features like cushioned armrests and the ability to recline will be a necessity for years to come.
Side Table
Babies require a lot of accessories. From bottles to books to blankets, you’ll be beyond thankful for a side table that sits next to your chair, crib, changing table or just about anywhere else you need a little extra storage. Aside from their essential functionality, side tables can also be a fun accent piece. A beautiful kids night stand might be able to serve a dual purpose as a side table, too.
Bookshelf or Miscellaneous Storage
As your toddler gets older they will likely become bored with the simple toys and books that were exciting only a few months ago. You’ll want to have some basic storage capacity for new toys, stuffed animals, books, and basically anything else that gets used on a daily basis but doesn’t fit or belong in the changing table. Common options for high quality nursery furniture that provides handy storage solutions include:
- Baskets that can easily stack when emptied or be placed behind, along and on top of other furniture pieces.
- Bookshelves that can hold a variety of items. Be sure to properly mount any standing furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping forward. Exploratory children will try to climb on just about anything around them.
- Toy chests that are easy for your child to access but look neat and clean when closed.
- Laundry hampers and diaper pails that will save you a lot of trips to the laundry room or trash bin, especially during the first few weeks when you might be changing up to 12 diapers a day!
While these pieces of high quality nursery furniture are technically used for storage, changing and sleeping they can also be a great way to accent the room with a fun color, pattern or fabric.