What furniture should you buy for your baby's nursery?

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What furniture should you buy for your baby's nursery?

What furniture is essential for a child's bedroom?

As parents-to-be, you want the very best for your child, and it's only natural that you should want to create a cosy little nest for him or her to enjoy long, peaceful nights. To welcome your baby, the choice of furniture is essential: bedding, storage units or a changing table. Here's an overview of the furniture you'll need to furnish your baby's room.

What size and type of crib to choose?

The crib is the most important piece of furniture in the nursery, as it's where your baby will spend most of his time. So it's essential to choose a quality product. There are a number of crib models to choose from: a cradle, a 60 x 120 cm crib, a 60 x 120 cm crib with bars, or a 70 x 140 cm cot. Although baby feels more comfortable in a crib, you won't be able to keep it for very long (around 3 months), whereas a 70 x 140 cm cot can be kept for up to 6 years.

How to choose the right mattress for baby?

First and foremost, it's essential to choose a mattress that's perfectly suited to the size of your child's bed, whether 60 x 120 cm or 70 x 140 cm. To avoid any risk of accident to your baby, it's essential that there are no gaps between the edges of the crib and its mattress, which must be perfectly adapted.

In addition to the dimensions, we recommend that you choose a firm, rigid mattress so that your child's spine is well supported, and that you opt for mattresses made from natural materials (such as coir or organic cotton) that are hypoallergenic, removable and treated against dust mites.

Changing table or chest of drawers with changing table: which is more practical?

When it comes to furnishing a baby's room, a changing table is an essential piece of furniture. The changing table often consists of a wooden structure for storage and a top with a cushion on which to lay baby down for changing.

The changing table chest of drawers can also be used to store all your child's belongings. Your choice will depend on the space you have available. But don't forget that a chest of drawers can be kept longer than a changing table. In terms of safety, choose furniture whose changing surface complies with all standards to avoid any risk of falling.

Chest of drawers or wardrobe: what's the best choice for storing clothes and accessories?

When it comes to baby furniture, it's essential to provide storage in the nursery... lots of it, because you'll see that baby changes often!
Chest of drawers or wardrobe? In a child's bedroom, you may not have room for both pieces of furniture, so if you have to make a choice, we advise you to opt for a chest of drawers first. Then, when your child is older, the wardrobe will be perfect for hanging up dresses and small coats. Choose a wardrobe with shelves and hanging space on one side and, if possible, large drawers at the bottom to store all your child's belongings.

Breastfeeding armchair or chair, a must for parents' comfort?

Often placed next to the bed, chest of drawers or wardrobe, the armchair is a must-have in a nursery. Whether you've decided to breastfeed or bottle-feed, the armchair will come in very handy in your baby's room. Comfortably installed, an armchair will also enable you to rock your baby to calm his cries at night. Remember to choose a comfortable chair with armrests.

The toy chest: how to organize baby's play area?

This is your child's favorite piece of baby furniture, where he can store his treasures and numerous small toys, as well as the gifts he received for his baby at birth. The toy chest will help keep baby's room in order, while adding an attractive decorative touch.

Which furniture optimizes storage space?

Beds, chests of drawers, wardrobes... there's a lot of baby furniture to choose from, but unfortunately you don't always have the space you need. To optimize space, some clever pieces of furniture such as a wall-mounted changing table, a removable changing surface on a chest of drawers or a drawer to slide under the bed are good tips to apply if you're short of space. And don't forget to include children's shelves and bookcases, indispensable as your child grows.

How to choose the right crib?

Choosing the right crib for your child is crucial, as the quality of his sleep (and therefore yours) depends on it. So you need to find THE Crib that will give your child a good, long night's sleep... There are several criteria to consider:
- for comfort, with the right bed size perfectly adapted to your child's height, and the choice of mattress, which should preferably be firm and rigid, and if possible hypoallergenic and anti-transpirant.
- for your child's safety, by choosing only a cot that meets all current safety standards.
We recognize that this is a difficult choice for the bedroom, as baby will spend most of his time in bed, so take your time to think about it. The choice of bed linen will also be important for the decoration of baby's room.

How to choose the right changing table?

Above all, a changing table must be functional, ergonomic and practical. It should prevent you from bending over when changing your baby for the umpteenth time in the day. A changing table must therefore be at the right height to protect your back. It's also important that the changing table has everything you need to change your baby within easy reach, so you don't have to take your eyes off your baby. For baby's safety, choose a changing table with sufficiently high edges.

Which furniture and accessories are best suited to baby's development?

You'll need a wide range of furniture and accessories for your baby's bedroom, but there are a few that are best suited to baby's development and stimulation. These include (but are not limited to) a cot, which allows baby to observe the world around him, and a high chair or bouncer.
A playpen is also highly recommended, as it allows baby to play in total safety in a space that's just right for him. Baby mats and age-appropriate toys are also highly recommended.

What materials and styles of furniture are best suited to a baby's bedroom?

When designing a baby's room, we recommend warm colors such as wood, bamboo or rattan, whether for a convenient crib or small shelves and storage units. Wood is a natural, durable and resistant material. Whether it's solid wood (beech, birch or oak) or MDF (fiberboard), this material will bring a warm ambience to your baby's room, creating the gentle atmosphere needed for his or her well-being.

Many styles of furniture are possible in a child's bedroom to create a calm, functional and secure space. At Rêves et Merveilles, we offer you as many possibilities as possible so that you can find what you're looking for: from retro vintage, Scandinavian, design, bobo chic or bohemian styles, to classic, Gustavian or modern-inspired rooms, the most important thing is always to prioritize the quality and safety of the furniture you choose.

What are the safety criteria for baby furniture?

As parents, it's vital to choose baby furniture that guarantees our children's safety, with no sharp edges and non-toxic materials. For example, paints and varnishes must be water-based and lead-free. CE and NF (French standard) labels are a guarantee of reliability. Furniture edges should be rounded to prevent injury. Furniture drawers and doors should be secured with soft-close systems to prevent baby's little fingers from getting trapped. Furniture must also be stable, or fastened to the wall with clips. Cribs must comply with numerous safety standards, such as the spacing between the bars.

To be on the safe side, we recommend that you only buy furniture that has been certified as complying with local or international safety standards and that has been tested for safety. In Europe, for example, you should look for the EN716 label for cots and EN1221 for changing tables.

How can I organize my baby's room to make it functional and comfortable?

For your baby to feel at home in his room, it's essential to prepare a cocoon that's as pretty as it is functional. Here are a few tips for arranging the space, but don't worry: there are no pre-established rules, and you'll have to make your own decisions according to your desires, impressions and feelings.

The bed should be placed in a quiet spot, often against a wall and away from a window to avoid any danger. If you're planning to use an armchair, place the breast-feeding, bottle-feeding or bedtime story corner close to your child's bed. The changing area should also be close to the bed, if possible, but keep in mind that the chest of drawers or changing table should always have storage within easy reach. Optimize storage with furniture that's clever and not just designer (large drawers for a chest of drawers, or wall-mounted shelves to keep the floor free of clutter).

Don't forget to set aside a space for your child's play and development, with a play mat or a soft, cuddly mat where baby can observe the world around him. Choose soft colors for the decor, and soothing lighting such as nightlights or subdued lamps.

The aim is to create a functional and comfortable room for your baby.

Should you choose convertible furniture for your baby?

A cot can be used for just a few months, as in the case of a crib, or for many years, as in the case of a 70 x 140 cm cot. Depending on your desires and, above all, your budget, you can choose to invest in baby furniture for the long term and buy a quality product that will grow with your child. Also, a chest of drawers with a removable changing surface can be used as a simple chest of drawers when the child is no longer wearing diapers.

But on the other hand, sometimes parents express the need or desire to change their bedroom furniture or decor according to their child's age and developmental stages. It's up to you to decide what you prefer.

In conclusion, at Rêves & Merveilles, we know how stressful the arrival of a baby in the home can be, with all the preparations and choices to be made, whether for furniture or childcare items. Cribs, chests of drawers, wardrobes... so many things to plan for, but don't forget we're here for you.

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