Kitting the nursery out for your new arrival can be daunting. With so much change on the horizon, it can be hard to know what furniture will serve your needs best.
The most common nursery furniture sets combine cot, wardrobe and chest of drawers – but think carefully what suits your room size and requirements. Baby furniture is usually made in pine or solid wood for safety and robustness, and there are British Standards that you may want to check your chosen range conforms to. Most cots convert to beds for toddlers for longer-term use, but not all are height adjustable, which can be a real help as your baby grows.
Apart from the obvious guarantees and delivery costs, look out for small details like soft-closing drawers, it will make life easier at bedtime.
1. Mothercare Charleston 3-piece Nursery Furniture Set: £615
This good-value set is made from wood, with simple round handles and feet that give it a soft look. The cot converts to a toddler bed, and the mattress base can be set at three different heights to change as your baby grows. There’s plenty of storage: three wide drawers in the changing unit, and an extra one in the wardrobe. Be aware the three items could have different delivery times.
2. Silver Cross Soho Set: £950, John Lewis
This two-piece set is designed for smaller spaces, with a separate cot, and multifunctional wardrobe that combines a dresser and foldaway changing station. The Soho set’s looks are fairly basic, but the pine construction gives a robust feel. The wardrobe is 175cm high and has two rails for decent storage. Soft-close drawers are a thoughtful addition. The cot converts to a toddler bed.
3. East Coast Toulouse Room Set: £902.49, Tesco
Breaking away from traditional white, this set has a grey finish that hints at French antique style. Little flourishes – curved panels, moulded details and metal handles – unite the convertible cot, wardrobe and dresser. The wardrobe has two rails and a full-width drawer, and the dresser has two towel rails. The dresser top fits a standard changing mat too.
4. Izziwotnot Bailey Sleigh 3-piece Room Set: £1095, Izziwotnot
The centrepiece of this set is the charming cot, with gently curved ends in the popular sleigh style. The cot has an adjustable base, and teething rails included. It converts easily to a toddler bed and then a day bed, for maximum use. The matching wardrobe and chest are generously-sized, but you can choose to boost this set’s storage and functionality by adding an under-cot drawer (£89), and over-cot changer (£69).
5. Leander Linea Nursery & Baby’s 3-Piece Furniture Set: £1,250, Cuckooland
Striking angles and clean lines set this modern range by Danish brand Leander apart. Cot, chest of drawers and changing station are all made of beech and can be lacquered white or left natural. There’s a whole range of options to customise, including felt or leather handles, and a canopy and bumper cushions for the cot. The only drawback is it doesn’t include a matching wardrobe.
6. BabyStart New Oxford 3-Piece Furniture Set: £299.99, Argos
If you’re on a tight budget, this self-assembly set from Argos is a good buy for under £300 and has all the features of more expensive sets. The cot has teething rails and converts to a junior bed. The wardrobe and chest of drawers are made with a combination of pine and MDF to keep the price low. At 149cm high, the wardrobe is on the short side and only has a single rail.
7. Mamas & Papas Atlas 3-Piece Set: £637, Mamas & Papas
This is a contemporary set that comes finished in either white or a natural-look oak effect. Like others, the cot is convertible and height-adjustable, but this one includes a supportive sprung mattress to boot. The wardrobe is roomy thanks to its 182cm height. The dresser has three deep drawers and converts easily to a changer. All three pieces meet British Standard requirements for safety. Delivery is free.
8. Kidsmill Chalk Mix: £1,896, Adorable Tots
For a blast of colour and originality in the nursery, the Chalk Mix set from designer baby brand Kidsmill has it all. The clashing mix of colour and detail on this set of cot, dresser and wardrobe all seem to work together despite breaking the rules. Doors and drawers are soft-closing, a helpful feature at bedtime. The convertible cot comes in two sizes and is height-adjustable.
9. East Coast Fontana 3-Piece Set: £471.99, Wayfair
The wood effect on the Fontana set makes a refreshing change to traditional white, while keeping a calm and contemporary look. The cot bed has rounded corners, converts to a toddler bed, and is a decent quality for the price. The top of the dresser is designed to be used for changing, and the drawers and wardrobe give a good amount of space. Self-assembly is required.
10. Obaby Stamford 3-Piece Set: £999.99, Very
The cot, wardrobe and changing unit in the Stamford set by Obaby all have the same elegant scroll design, which gives a sense of luxury. The wardrobe combines a mix of open and closed storage, and the changing unit has a cupboard as well as three small drawers. The cot converts to a bed, and comes with a matching under drawer. This set comes with a 5-year guarantee.
The Verdict
It can be easy to get carried away with design, but practicality and longevity are what it really comes down to with nursery furniture. The Charleston set from Mothercare offers the best amount of storage for the price. With a quiet design, and an adjustable and convertible cot, it should easily see you through your baby’s early years.
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