Related Articles
EVERYONE’S FAVORITE Groups
When Should You Order/Purchase Nursery Furniture
Author: Stef Daniel
Decorating the nursery is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. Almost as soon as the little pink line appears on the home pregnancy test, you will start window-shopping for the perfect furniture to adorn the nursery, nurturing the life of your child. Choosing cribs, dressers, changing tables, and other accessories can also be overwhelming because they differ so drastically in price and usability. Many moms to be, nudged by old wives tales – are hesitant about ordering furniture too early in the pregnancy and then become stressed, feeling unprepared as the due date approaches.
Essentially, you don’t need the nursery furniture until after the baby is born. Even then, many parents choose a bassinet that can be placed in the parent’s room so they can hear every breath and movement made by the baby at night, making the nursery obsolete for a while. Your best bet is to spend the first and second trimesters shopping and pricing furniture that will best fit the nursery. If you are planning to paint, re-carpet, or do any sort of remodeling in the nursery – it may be best to save the furniture for last so you don’t have to work around it or risk messing it up.
There are also a few rules that apply to nursery furniture in general. The crib should be purchased new so that it adheres to all the latest safety regulations. Purchasing used furniture or hand-me-downs, while cost effective, can mean the furniture is missing pieces or has been recalled without your knowing. Secondly, the furniture in the nursery should be usable for many years to come. I suggest looking for convertible cribs that can be used as a twin sized bed, and dressers and changing tables that offer ample room for storage. One thing that will accumulate as your baby grows is stuff – and they will need plenty of places to put their stuff. Convertible furniture may cost a bit more in the beginning, but after a few years the investment will be worth it.
Now that you know what you want – the time is right to buy. If you have a large family, placing some of the furniture on your baby registry is a good idea. You will find that relatives may go in together to try and get you the larger things you want and need for your baby. Once the shower has ended, you will be in a perfect position to know what is still needed for the nursery.
You can purchase furniture anytime you wish. As often is with pregnancy, you may wake up one morning with the distinct desire to place a crib in the nursery. On the other hand, you may be ‘emotionally’ waiting to buy the furniture until you ‘feel’ ready. Nobody should try to force you or talk you out of buying the furniture when the time is right for you. On the other hand, if you like to be in control of things, you may want to have the furniture on hand before your pregnancy makes getting around and completing tasks difficult. Most pregnant women feel most energetic between the 24th and 29th week of pregnancy, making purchases like this optimal around this time.
If you are nearing the end of the pregnancy and still haven’t furnished the nursery, there is no need to fret. Chances are there are plenty of people around who can help you put together the furniture and set up the nursery in ample time for the arrival of your baby. There are plenty of dads who can tell you they were piecing together the crib and changing table while their wife was in the hospital recovering from birth.
The perfect time to furnish the nursery is whenever you are ready. It is easy to get wrapped up in worrying and planning for the arrival of baby – when the reality is your loving arms, warm family, and nurturing spirit are all they will really need in the weeks following their birth. Remember that this is a once in a lifetime experience in your life and you should do things your way, rather than worrying about what is right and expected.
Home > Pregnancy > Home & Nursery Prep > When Should You Order/Purchase Nursery Furniture
