Shopping for baby furniture, even under the ‘ideal” circumstances – where there is no budget because money is not an object, you have time on your hands and your nursery is the size of a basketball court – can still be a challenge.  But when your nursery is small, it becomes even more of a pain because there are so many things and pieces of furniture a baby needs (crib, changing table, armoire, glider) and there doesn’t seem to be any space in the nursery for any of it.  That is where smaller baby furniture comes in.

Baby furniture companies understand that fitting everything you need into a smaller nursery could be quite an obstacle in your plans for the perfect nursery.   Because of this, manufacturers have now made smaller sized and beautiful baby furniture that can fit in a small room just right.

These petite furniture pieces span from mini cribs to thin bookcases and combined pieces.  To ensure you are using every bit of space without the feeling of being cramped, there are wall shelves and corner changers.

If you have a smaller nursery, you need to consider a mini crib.  The mini crib comes with a smaller frame, but is no less comfortable than the standard sized crib.   Many mini cribs in today’s market are convertible and can convert to a full size bed when the time is right.  Top brand names that produce the mini are DaVinci, AFG, Delta, and Angel Line.

Another option is to use combination pieces like the Orbelle portable mini crib and bed with changing table.  The changing table is attached to the crib, so this makes for optimum space efficiency.  You could also try cribs with tons of storage options like the Sorelle Glenda/Toscana convertible crib, which has a large built-in storage drawer.

If a changing station attached to the crib isn’t your cup of tea, then consider a corner changing table.  This is designed to fit nicely and unobtrusively into a corner to allow for the other pieces that must go into the nursery.   One you might want to try out is the Badger Basket Diaper Corner Changing Table.

When organizing your smaller nursery, a different way to go would be to use wall book holders to conserve leg room.  Delta also manufactures hanging compartments that can be used to get organized; it is made from fabric, so it’s easy to manage and can hang from the back of the door.

Preparing your nursery for baby does not have to be a nightmare just because you do not have a lot of space to play around with. Try smaller sized baby furniture for space efficiency and easier management.

If you’re looking for baby furniture it’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of acquiring either wood or metal.  There are so many options that it’s smart to do some research before devising your final selection.  There are several amazing wooden and metal baby furnishings, so it’s important to decide which type meets your needs best.   This article will provide you with info to help you decide between metal or wood nursery furnishings.

Pro’s of Wood Baby Furniture

* Many Style Options!  Wood is a good choice because there are so many styles and colors to choose from.  With brands like DaVinci you can select from light natural finishes to deep, rich finishes.  Other companies like Young America go even further to offer baby furniture in just about every color you can imagine.  As far as styles like traditional, modern, boutique and more, wood furniture comes in them all.

* Great Functionality!  Today it’s possible to get a baby crib that converts from crib to bigger beds throughout your child’s lifetime.  Companies like Storkcraft and DaVinci offer wooden convertible cribs that convert up to 4 times.   To convert a crib you usually need to purchase optional conversion rails, but it’s definitely worth it to save you time and money. 

* Several Storage Solutions!  Selecting wooden baby furniture will give you several more options for storage.   Items like chests, dressers and armoires aren’t commonly offered in metal.  DaVinci offers several sized combo/dressers that you can use as a changing station through diaper years and a beautiful storage piece for years after that.

Pro’s of Metal Baby Furniture

* Elegance!  No one can deny the amazing fashion statement that a classy metal crib can make in the nursery.   Companies like Corsican and Little Miss Liberty offer stunning iron scrolled cribs with amazing modern designs.  Metal cribs are now being offered in several different colors, so it’s getting easier and easier to find one that matches your décor.  Many iron cribs offer beautifully designed finials in different baby themes like bunnies, horses and tea time.

* Incredible Durability!  It’s obvious that a metal crib is more indestructible than wood.  LA Baby makes a secure and simple industrial grade crib that can match with many decors. 

Con’s of Wooden Baby Furniture

* Not Quite as Solid as Metal.  Even though wood is quite durable, which is why most furniture is wood…it can’t compete with the strength of metal.  The wood surface tends to scratch easier, but wood furniture markers can take care of that and make it look new again. 

Con’s of Metal Baby Furniture

Small Selection.  To design a classy nursery a gorgeous iron crib will do the trick.   Unfortunately, you can only choose from two styles including: antique and classic.  You’ll also probably find it difficult to locate other metal baby furnishings to go with the metal crib.   If you choose industrial design there are lots of colors to choose from, but finding metal armoires or full size dressers is harder.

Pricey.  Fancy iron baby cribs can be quite costly.   Their intricate designs and solid frames cost quite a bit of money to make.  Metal cribs also offer just one stage, the crib.  They don’t convert to bigger beds.   Usually when parents pick a metal crib they choose it for the heirloom factor or the sophistication it can add to the nursery.  Metal cribs don’t tend to offer much versatility and are usually purchased for their beauty and sturdiness.

Final Thoughts

Obviously both metal and wood have their positives and negatives!   That’s why it’s important to decide your wants and needs before making a decision.  Metal is a great option for its elegance and heirloom quality.   Wood is a great choice for its versatile designs and amazing style choices.  Whichever type you choose, the most important thing is that the furniture meets all US safety standards.