It is important to choose carefully when buying nursery furniture as it represents a large part of your out lay during your preparations for your new arrival however good quality furniture is a worth while investment.
It’s a very exciting time when you discover that you are expecting your baby, especially when it’s your first, but the cost of all the necessities can soon mount up and that is before you set your heart on those “must have” luxuries too. Set a budget for your nursery furniture and decide the maximum that you can afford. Don’t be shy … exercise your negotiating skills and ask the shop you are buying the furniture from if they can offer you a discount or waive the delivery charge.
The old adage “You get what you pay for” is worth remembering as it’s usually true. If you have a tight budget keep in mind that buying one or two pieces of good quality furniture is a far better idea than a room set consisting of several pieces of cheap furniture. Your baby will be spending a lot of time in the cot and wriggling around on the changing unit so the furniture must be stable. Try the wobble test and attempt to gently move the furniture from side to side to see if it is sturdy. If the furniture has doors or drawers open them to ensure they don’t catch on other parts of the unit. Check that the paint finish is not chipped or flaking away.
How many pieces of nursery furniture should you buy? Well there’s no right or wrong answer to this. The first consideration is the size of the bedroom. Don’t over stuff the room, it’s important to have space to move when you are tending to your baby. Think ahead. If you want bedroom furniture which will last through your baby’s childhood then consider going for a complete package of matching items.
A great way to get maximum value for money is to buy a cot bed which can be used as a
cot while baby is tiny and then converted in to a junior bed once your baby has reached the toddler stage. This also offers a comforting link for your baby between the cot and a standard single bed with out actually having to buy extra furniture. Each cot bed manufacturer differs but cot beds can last through to your child’s sixth birthday, depending on their height and weight.
You must ensure that the bars of your baby’s cot are correctly spaced to avoid accidents and if there is a drop side mechanism make sure that your baby will not be able to trap their fingers. Choose a cot or cot bed which complies with the British Standard BS EN 716 parts 1 and 2 to ensure that these safety essentials are covered.
The cot mattress is not an item that you can scrimp on. If someone has been kind enough to give you a second hand cot it is essential that you buy a new mattress which is well ventilated and clean with a water proof cover to avoid an increased risk of cot death.
It’s very tempting to buy pretty pink or pastel blue furniture which looks very bonny in your baby’s nursery but has a limited life span. It’s still a lovely idea if you are only buying a few pieces, for example a cot and changing unit, but if your purchase includes a wardrobe or changer that converts in to a chest of drawers then look for a colour and style that will easily suit the addition of a standard single bed and will adapt to an older child’s taste.
It’s important that when your furniture is delivered you carefully check the boxes to ensure the courier hasn’t caused any damage during transit before you sign to accept delivery. If you do find any damage on the boxes make a note of it on the delivery schedule in case the furniture inside the box has been harmed.
If the company you are buying the furniture from offers an assembly service then it is well worth considering it, especially if you have bought a full room set. Remember that in the unlikely event that a problem develops the assembly team have built the furniture and were responsible for making sure that it is correctly put together and sturdy. If you do decide to choose delivery only and want to built the furniture yourself then open all of the boxes and check for damage and missing parts as soon as possible. This means that you can report any problems to your supplier promptly and avoid a disaster such as your baby arriving home with out a cot to sleep in.
CLICK HERE to visit Nursery Rooms for more information and the option to buy