2nd time (or more) moms-nursery q

Casperdy · August 2011

I am torn about what color furniture to use in our nursery. I know it's early, but my mom is coming to visit soon and we're headed to one of the largest flea markets in the US. I'd love to look for a great dresser/changing table there.

I always envisioned white nursery furniture... but then I think about having the furniture "grow" with the kid, and if it's a boy (we're team green), I think I would want darker wood. Did you find that you really liked your white or wood furniture for some reason? Is one going to hold up better? Is there anything else you recommend for us first-timers to consider about nursery furniture?

tash_rn · August 2011

I'm a first timmer too so I have no helpful advise to give but I'm excited to see what people say cause we were kinda wondering the same thing! Plus its never to early to start looking for a good deal Wink

Jessimurph · August 2011

we have dark wood. I like it and its funtional for boys and girls. The plan is to use it for all of our kids and if it still looks nice it converts to a queen bed for the guestroom. I recommend a changing pad on a dresser, much more funcional and a comfy chair.

henderson1026 · August 2011

since you are looking at a flea market, my suggestion is to pay more attention to shape and style and then refinish it however you like.

SassyRedhead · August 2011

We went with white for DD and I'm actually thinking of doing it for #2. I just think it's more cheery and looks great with the pinks & greens for DD's room and I think will look awesome with a nautical theme if it's a boy. I mean what doesn't go with white? Also it's easier to piece in new cheaper furniture - like bookcases or toy storage from Target or something. I didn't want to spend a lot of money for those things since we will probably change them out as she gets older.

We went with a convertible crib and I'm so glad we did, we used the toddler bed and we just switched her to the "big girl bed" and only had to buy the mattress. It's held up great. FWIW we went with Bonavita.

Fergie+1 · August 2011

henderson1026:
since you are looking at a flea market, my suggestion is to pay more attention to shape and style and then refinish it however you like.

Yes This. You can paint anything white (and sand and refinish later if LO 'outgrows' the white). I would look for shape/style, sturdiness, and craftsmanship. I've seen quite a few nurseries posted on the Nurseries & Baby Gear board for boys that were absolutely beautiful- and still very masculine. It all depends on the rest of your color scheme.

SweetBaby2004 · August 2011

We have maple color finish. We bought a convertible crib, with the idea that DD#1 would use it as her big girl bed. Then DS came along and we needed the crib.

This baby will inherit that crib and overall, it is in great shape.

kmiller1012 · August 2011

We were team green last time so we went with the darker wood. We got a convertible crib and knew it would eventually turn into one of our children's bed and the white ones looked girly as the bed. If you are not getting a convertible, then I don't think it matters what color.

As for a changing table we just used the dresser as the changing table and that way we have a bedroom set that they will not outgrow.

books4brooke · August 2011

We have a dark cherry crib. We bought a dresser and changing table that matched, and quite honestly it was a waste. I suppose there are people who change their kids in their rooms, but I always found it more convenient to change the kid wherever we were and had diapers and such in all of the important rooms. And instead of the dresser, we built closet systems, which saves so much room. I would definitely look for a comfortable glider or recliner.

Casperdy · August 2011

I definitely plan to just hunt something fun at the flea market, but just wanted to have an idea in my head of what my plan is. I can always refinish or paint for sure. I'm hoping to find some great storage piece that I can put the changing mat on top of, for sure.

I like the closet system idea but I doubt DH will go for it-haha. I think PP was right about being able to add it white stuff that's inexpensive, which is a great tip. But I am concerned about if I will want the white if I have a boy and he gets a little older. We plan to wait a few years before #2, so this room will at least last through ages 2-3 before we want to move the first kiddo out, so I will probably at least want to convert to a toddler bed.

TheMutleys · August 2011

We didn't go with all one color. His crib is a dark wood. His dresser is white. Then, I found two nightstands on craigslist and I painted them a deep aqua. Here are some pics of how it all turned out on my blog (which is rarely updated, lol.)

This LO will not have a 'nursery' until we do our addition next summer. She or he will be in our room for the first 3-4 months anyways. If we have a girl, I will tweak the current room to be more gender neutral by changing out the red curtains for a color more like the nightstands. Then, I will be putting up prints of the little girl and little boy from Dr. Seuss above each of their beds.

Here is a link to a FABULOUS team 'green' nursery that someone just did on my local.

kel716 · August 2011

Our intent is to buy a new crib. DS's was recalled twice, and I have no desire to reuse it despite having both of the "fix" kits. I think we'll use the Graco Lauren (espresso colored), which is rated well and inexpensive ($150ish). It's also a convertible crib, which to us is important. When DS decided he was done with his crib, it was immediate.

DS's furniture is espresso colored, and we like the versatility of the color. But, we intend on upgrading DS into his big boy room, and will get him a new bed and dresser. His current dresser doubles as a changing table, so we'll use that along with the bookcase we got for his room for the baby. We still have some of DH's furniture- a desk and a corner shelf, from when he was young, and it's in really good shape. So we'll clean out our extra bedroom by giving him that furniture and giving the baby a new crib. This seems like the most economical solution for us.

The biggest thing for us is not spending a ton on furniture for my kids. Kids are tough on furniture, so it's not something I feel is a good investment. Everytime I see really nice pretty furniture in a kids room, all I can picture is a friend of mine's little sister putting stickers all over it. I figure if I don't spend a ton, then if stickers happen to get on it (or something of the like) I'm not going to be as angry.

Whitney DD · August 2011

We went with gender neutral white and I am very glad. Now that we have #2 on the way, I just purchased a white toddler bed and will be getting a 2nd dresser in white and I don't have to worry about wood tones not matching. White can be made boyish if done right, and easily touched up with the right (lead and toxin free) furniture paint so I'm very very happy with my choice.

SLAHSarah · August 2011

What flea market are you going to? I'm in VA and I'm searching for one

I promise not to snag all the great finds

Crystal42311 · August 2011

henderson1026:
since you are looking at a flea market, my suggestion is to pay more attention to shape and style and then refinish it however you like.

I agree with this you can always refinish hard wood so just look for the details that you want. We personally chose dark wood because it is all throughout our house and I wanted the furniture to flow. This time around we just bought DS a new trundle bed because we wanted a smooth conversion so it doesn't seem like we were taking his bed away for the baby. So now we have to look for a new tall dresser for DS because we want to use his for the changing table. Or maybe I can convince DH to remodel DS's closet so we don't have to have a dresser at all

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