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Having a baby can be stressful for expecting parents. That’s why it’s better to be prepared before the due date comes. Everyone knows that they’ll need diapers, clothes, and the general basics when it comes to newborns. However, what exactly is an essential when you’re prepping your nursery? Furniture can be very expensive and if you are on a budget, you should know what you need to spend your money on first. If that part feels overwhelming, we hope this guide will help you focus on what you absolutely need for a nursery and serve as a bit of a checklist.
(Pictured: Tate Crib)
1. Crib / Bassinet
The most important part of a nursery is making sure your baby has a place to lay down and sleep whenever they get tired. That’s why a crib or a bassinet should be the first item on your list. Picking which one you think is best can be difficult, so if you are unsure which one will work best for you, we made a guide all about it here! For those who want a crib, you need to make sure to grab a crib mattress and a decent amount of fitted crib sheets, since you’ll be changing them often. You’ll also need to make sure that the inside of the crib stays empty as it is dangerous for babies to sleep with blankets or stuffed animals when they’re a newborn. After all of that, you’ll have the first part of your nursery done!
(Pictured: Huck Changing Table)
2. Changing Table
Babies need to be changed frequently, so having a space that is dedicated to diaper changes is a good idea when furnishing your nursery. You can either get an actual changing table which is more for short-term use, or you can just create one yourself. All you need is a dresser, changing top, changing pad and a cover. The changing top keeps the changing pad stable, and the changing pad provides a comfortable surface for your child to lay down while you change your baby’s diaper. The cover protects the actual pad itself from accidents and messes. Just make sure to keep diapers nearby, packed and ready to go, as well as a trash can for quick and easy disposal.
(Pictured: Legacy Dresser)
3. Dresser / Chest
If you do decide to go for an actual changing table instead of a dresser, you’ll still need a dresser or a chest to store and organize your child’s wardrobe. First, you want to decide on if you want something small or larger. Next, you should decide on whether you want a dresser or a chest. We wrote a guide about the differences between the two here, but a short summary is that dressers take up more floor space while chests take up more vertical space. Finally, before you buy the dresser or chest, check to see if it meets the requirements for safety by either passing the tip test or offering an anti-tip kit.
(Pictured: MySize Toy Organizer)
4. Toy Organizer / Bookcase
Even though your child will not be old enough to play much as a newborn, you might be finding yourself developing a nice collection of toys that you can’t wait to show your little one. To help keep them organized and still be prepared for once your baby grows up, you should get a bookcase or a toy organizer! A bookcase can carry both toys and baby books, using the toys as little pieces of decor on the shelves until your baby is old enough. On the other hand, you might have a bookcase in your home where the baby books can be stored. In that case, you’ll want to get a toy organizer instead. Either one will save you a future headache when trying to organize your nursery in the future.
(Pictured: Saint Crib)
Getting ready to have a child is already a stressful feat in itself, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether you need something in your nursery. So, now that you know about everything you need, and have a little checklist to keep in mind, we hope this will help relieve some of the burden off your shoulders. If you are ready to start furnishing your nursery today, we have a wide selection of different cribs, changing tables, dressers and more that you can view online here! However, if you prefer to go see everything in person before you buy, you can come visit our superstore at 4200 W Kellogg Dr.
