Things have changed in the baby furniture offerings in the last 25 years, and it’s not just the look that has done a one hundred and eighty degree turn. Modern baby furniture is not only cool, but comfy as well, and a lot of the options can be created without breaking the bank.
Ahhh, babies. Those adorable little bundles of joy that we love to coo and cuddle with, and give the best of everything. Where they sleep and play is of utmost importance since that is primarily what they do for the first few years of their lives, and baby furniture has certainly changed to accommodate. The ornate options are still certainly available, but more practical baby furniture is the choice for most parents, especially if they are on a budget, and have limited space. Let’s take a look at how modern baby furniture has evolved, and where to go to get the best for less than you might have thought.
Traditionally, baby furniture was large, heavily decorated, and boasted intricate detailing with many swirls and carvings. This makes for a beautiful presentation, but leaves little in the way of practicality. First, the grooves and carvings found on this type of baby furniture collected dust, dirt, and all kinds of other baby “things”, making it hard to keep clean. It also tended to be ultra heavy, and hard to move when a spill happened, or needed to be moved around. And what about cost? The heavier and more ornately decorated, the pricier, and since babies’ needs change as they grow older, it just isn’t very practical to have this type of baby furniture. Well, unless you are a millionaire.
Modern baby furniture has given us clean lines, simple designs, and lighter weight options to fit every budget. Layers of paint have been replaced by a “wash” or stain, and there are few, if any, grooves or carvings that can collect that dust and dirt that drives most parents crazy. Cleaning can be done with a swipe of a cloth, and if you need to move the entire piece, then you can now most likely do it alone. This is also great because as the baby grows, the baby furniture can be adjusted to fit their needs with minimal adjustments. Not only does this save you money, but makes for much easier decorating when you already know the sizes of the baby furniture. Many of the baby furniture items today can be easily transitioned into furniture for toddlers, and some even transform to accommodate older children as well. For example, a crib purchased for an infant has the instructions on how to remove the railings and use the included side rails making for a safe toddler bed. That same bed can be adjusted by removing those rails, and creating a traditional bed for older children, and you can get much more use out of it than design specific baby furniture.
Modern baby furniture can be purchased in a variety of ways. Consignment stores offer great prices on gently used pieces, and most furniture stores offer transitional items like those mentioned above. Of course, if money and space are no object, then the most elaborate of baby furniture can still be purchased at furniture and outlet stores, and then passed on to someone else who is also a traditionalist.
