We're sort of stuck on this. On the one hand, I have a perfectly fine three-drawer dresser that we could use for the nursery. It is an oak finish and I think any crib we'd get wouldn't match. Also, it isn't very nice (from IKEA and I've had it for years) so it isn't something we'd expect to last all that long.
On the other hand, DH is of the view that we should just buy a nice set (crib and dresser) that we could keep for a longer period of time and the LO could use for years to come. If we did this, we'd probably wind up spending more on the crib.
Part of me would rather spend less now and get something nicer when kids are older. But, really, we have no clue. Do kids (like ages 5-10) have "kid" furniture? The stuff we're looking at is bigger and more adult looking.
What are you buying and for what long-term purpose?
Re: What furniture items are you buying for the nursery?
We're buying cheaper stuff now and will replace it with nice stuff later.
We purchased the Ikea Gulliver crib for $99 and will get an Ikea dresser and bookshelf as well. We'll probably splurge on a glider, but we'll move that to the living room at some point and will want it to match our more grown-up decor.
I am all for long term furniture, but remember that the odds that the furniture will get drawn on, carved on (you'd be surprised what a Hot Wheels can do) and heaven knows what else are very high.
Our kids have decent furniture from Ikea that looks wonderful and we plan on buying them each a NICE (read: expensive) set either when they turn 13 or when they move out (we haven't decided the specifics yet). That's just us.
This is what I keep telling DH. But all he remembers is getting yelled at because he (or his brother) kept breaking some drawers and his dad had to fix them. But even if the furniture is more expensive, I imagine little boys can still break it. And then aren't you more mad (not at LO) that they broke soemthing you spent more money on?
It is sweet of DH to tel me to buy what I want. And I did mention I really would like stuff that matches. But, I'd almost rather spend the money later. He seems inclined to spend it now.
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OMG, little boys can break ANYTHING. One of DS's preschool teachers joked with me just the other day that if China ever decided that it wanted the Great Wall torn down she would volunteer the boys in her class. All you have to do is turn around for a second. And it's not malicious at all....boys are just boys and when they have a natural curiousity they tend to get into trouble. Just the other day I caught DS two shelves up in the pantry (the first and hopefully last time he does it) trying to get a granola bar. (I had told him he could have one but apparently I didn't move quick enough for him.)
If you're torn I would go for the less expensive stuff. You can always upgrade later!
1) Crib, only to be used as a crib (I don't like all the convertibles out there). That is its long-term purpose and when we are done with kids, we'll get rid of the crib.
2) Glider/ottoman. This one we are spending the most $ on because I want a modern looking one that will be appropriate long after our nursery is gone.
We got a standard (nonconvertible) crib (today!!!), and will be getting the matching changing table, which we will repurpose later as a bookshelf or something...
We will be investing in a really nice hardwood dresser as a "forever" piece, as well as a bookshelf (maybe getting that later). We have two twin beds that have been in my family for nearly 100 years (my grandfather and great-uncle slept in them, as did my mom and aunt, and my cousin and I), that Charlie and baby #2 will use as their "big kid" beds.
My mom is giving me her rocker from when I was a baby (it's suuuper comfy!), and I think I'll get an ottoman to go with it.
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