Baby Nursery Furniture Ideas Tips for Recycling, Upcycling and Re-Painting Cribs, Dressers

I am a big believer in painting used baby nursery furniture and re-purposing dressers and tables for use in the baby's room to save money and to keep things interesting.  I find it refreshing to see the unique paint colors and designs that the moms and dads who visit my website come up with.

I'm sure that other frugal DIY ers will be interested in learning what pieces are most important and what they can mark off of their checklist as well as to see the creative ways that others have managed to save money on furnishings.

NECESSITIES
Many argue that the list of absolute necessities is shorter than anyone will admit but unless you are willing to let your little one sleep in a cardboard box; you will need a crib at the very least.

You will also want to know that your furniture is built within THESE safety guidelines.

DIY Nursery Furniture Ideas

1. A BABY CRIB with a properly fitted crib mattress ranks high on any nursery furniture shopping list. As far as absolute necessities go, a safe and comfortable place for your baby to sleep is of the utmost importance. Even if your plans are to co-sleep, chances are that at some point you will want to make the transition to a crib. Your baby will be sleeping in this bed until he or she is a toddler so when shopping you should look for a model that will hold up well for two to three years. A convertible crib is becoming the crib of choice with parents intent on saving money and getting more value for money spent. Find more information on baby cribs here.

Baby Dressers

Ideas for DIY Baby Dressers

A chest of drawers or a dresser changing table combo are a necessity especially if the baby's room doesn't have a closet. If the nursery is small but has a closet, consider getting the most use out of every available inch of space by using a closet organizer.


If lack of floor space is an issue, consider buying an armoire rather than a dresser or chest of drawers with tempting drawer pulls that are within baby's reach. Nursery armoires often have space for baby clothes on hangers as well as folded clothing making it a more efficient piece of nursery furniture. Buying nursery furniture that contains optimal nursery storage capabilities is a very important first step in keeping the baby's room safe and organized.

2. Baby Bassinets, Moses Baskets and Cradles are a blessing to some new mothers and little more than a nuisance to others. Positives:

• A bassinet, Moses basket or cradle will keep baby close for easy feeding and care during the night without co-sleeping
• Some newborns feel more secure and are less fussy sleeping in a snug, cozy spot for the first few months. Negatives:
  
  • Bassinets, cradles and baskets are not as safe as a baby crib. Even if it the JPMA seal (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) there is the danger that an older brother,sister or family pet might be able to reach the newborn when you aren't looking.
  • They take up precious space that might be used for a more important piece of nursery furniture.
  • Antique cradles that rock may put baby in danger of suffocation if they should roll against the side
  Nursery Rockers, Nursery Gliders and Ottomans are as much for mommy and daddy as it is for baby. What to look for
  A glider is better and safe for use in the nursery than a rocking chair because a crawling baby might slip the occasional hand or foot beneath the rockers. Look for sturdy construction and soft but substantial nursery glider cushions that will hold up well until your child is too big to sit in your lap for a bedtime story. Last but not least comes perhaps the most controversial piece on our nursery furniture shopping guide; the changing table. Some moms prefer to have more room in the nursery and simply use the baby's crib for diaper changes. Mothers with ample room appreciate that a changing station has storage space for the baby's diapers and supplies and places the baby at a height that spares their backs.
  
  What to look for in a baby changing table:
  
  
  • A two inch tall safety rail on all four sides. A safety strap to keep your little wiggler from squirming off the table
  • A large changing surface
  ADDITIONAL ITEMS
  Other items that you might consider if you have a little extra room to fill after you have all of the essentials recommended in our nursery furniture shopping guide would be a baby high chair, a clothes hamper and a toy chest. Whether you buy a wooden high chair or one of the streamlined modern styles will be determined by the style of the furniture in the nursery or in the family dining room. But remember that safety ratings are always the most important consideration. Return to Unique Baby Gear Ideas often to find more information on re-painting, recycling and re-purposing furniture for a baby's nursery.

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