When making a decision here parents have to consider which pieces of furniture they and their child will need. Some opt for a cot or a cot bed and a changing unit. Some like to have a wardrobe and/or dresser as well. And, some parents will buy a broad range of furniture including toy boxes/chests, shelves or bookcases, bedside cabinets, seats or benches and nursing chairs.
Once the decision has been made as to which pieces to buy, parents will have to take some time to think about how their nursery furniture will look.
Choosing a finish for nursery furniture
Wooden furniture and man-made furniture with a wood effect finish are popular options here. Nowadays, laminates are also widely available and have opened up the nursery furniture sector to a certain extent. Some sets of nursery furniture are painted or stained in a range of colours including white, pastel and primary colours.
Some parents opt to buy solid wood furniture -- woods commonly on offer here include oak, pine, chestnut, beech and spruce. They buy solid wood because they think that it will be sturdier and that it will last longer. This option, however, doesn’t suit everybody as some find that solid wood furniture is too heavy and too costly.
Other parents opt for laminates or man-made materials with wood effects/veneers on top. For many people this kind of furniture is lighter and more cost effective. But, this kind of furniture may not last as long as solid wood pieces and can, in some cases, be flimsier.
Safety issues
It’s important to make the right choice of types of furniture and finishes for the nursery but it’s also extremely important to keep an eye out for safety issues. If a piece of furniture has the British Standards Institute’s Kite Mark or a CE rating then they will know that it has been checked and passed as suitable for use in a nursery by a young child.
Do spend some time looking at the furniture to check that it is stable and that is has been made well. Look out for extra design advantages such as rounded edges and handles that do not protrude too much. If putting together furniture from a flat-pack then follow the instructions and make sure to put it together properly. And, if buying painted or stained furniture, make sure that the paint is lead free and that the stain is non toxic.
Conclusion
Not all nursery furniture needs to last forever -- this may play a part in any decision that needs to be made here. Whilst a solid wood dresser may be useful for years to come, a cot won’t last more than a couple of years for each child as they will then need to move into a bed. Parents should think about designs, furniture pieces and budget before coming to a decision here.
Jill Remus is an independent researcher and author.
Find further information on selecting a nursery furniture set at Allkids, one of the UK`s most popular childrens` and parenting resources with over 3.9 million visitors in 2006, together with a wealth of information, resources, kids safe websites & shopping.