Nursery furniture

[Lemondrop99]

So I've found the cot bed I want. There is a lovely matching nursery furniture set (change table and wardrobe) available but the wardrobe is literally 1cm too wide to fit in the alcove I want to put it in

So, I think I'll just buy the cot bed in white and try to get similar furniture to match.

Changing table - worth it? Just get a chest of drawers and stick a changing mat on top instead?

Wardrobe - again, worth it? Or should I just get a second set of drawers? I know you won't hang many baby clothes but I'd like something that will last toddler and upwards too. The wardrobe I liked was half and half (half hanging space, half shelves and drawers) which seemed a good compromise but I can't find anything similar. I've attached a pic.

Nursery furniture sets are expensive but I don't mind too much if I can find something practical which will last through early childhood too

Any suggestions welcome.

Realistically, once baby starts rolling you would probably stop using the changing table. Chest of drawers idea is fine but beware of the mat slipping.
Could you lay the room out differently and put the wardrobe elsewhere if you love it that much?
Also remember that toddlers can pull furniture over so you should consider fixing whatever you get to the wall.

I've ordered a changing table that has a little changing station on top, edges included. My DP is 6ft plus so save him breaking his back doing floor changes etc even if just for the first while

Oh goodness

A chest of drawers with a changing station xx

Thanks both.

Yes, furniture will be bolted to the wall (have heard the IKEA horror stories )

After a lot of online digging, I found the attached wardrobe which I'm pretty pleased with. It's not quite as pretty and is a fair bit shorter but it'll fit in the space and has tons of shelf space. I'll get some baskets etc for the shelves. Then when baby is a bit bigger, I can take some shelves out and put a hanging rail in. Going to cover over the slats on the drawers and get some funky handles.

Still thinking about changer vs chest of drawers.

Ooh it's exciting to finally be decorating the nursery

Oh sorry, here (if anyone is interested). It was end of line, so not too expensive either.

We're looking at a set that has a similar wardrobe and a chest of drawers with a changer top. We're not fussed about having the side edges on the top when we don't need a changing table any more so it works for us. This is the link

www.kiddicare.com/p/Tutti_Bambini_Lucas_Sleigh_3_Piece_Room_Set_White_and_FREE_mattress.htm

Thanks. The Tutti Bambini is actually the other set I was considering, it's also lovely. But the wardrobe is also just slightly too wide!

Our alcove is about 108cm, and the sleigh wardrobes are all around 110cm 🙄

It's a chimney breast we have in the room causing the problem (I seriously toyed with taking it out lol!). DH and I spent a good 30 mins measuring the room and talking about other lay outs but nothing else works, it just makes sense to fit the wardrobe in that gap. We have another wall we could use but it's the best place for the cot (otherwise the cot ends up near a window or a radiator) and it'll cover up the wall mural we're having done.

I'm still using a changing station with a two year old if that helps. Doesn't matter that they're mobile - they still need to be changed and it's back breaking otherwise. Just need to watch them, which you would anywhere - go into any nursery/Creche and you'll see them doing the same and all change table out and about are that height.

I did think that eternalopt. I worked in a nursery a while ago, and we still use the raised changing table for the 2 year olds (although lifting 20 in a row got a bit heavy). Definitely want a raised surface, but wondering whether to buy a specific changer or fix a changing mat on top of a chest of drawers. I suppose a proper changer usually comes with somewhere to keep wipes etc handy too.

We had a cot top changer which was great. Saved taking up additional space with a piece of furniture we didn't really need. It fitted nicely down the side of the cot when we weren't using it. We used it from the day we got out of hospital & it was the perfect height for me as I'd had an emcs & meant I'd didn't need to twist or get on the floor etc.

Hmmm that's an idea Topsy. I'll have a think about that. We have space for the extra furniture but do we need it? I suppose once I start filling the wardrobe, I should have some idea whether I need the extra storage from a changer/drawers. If not, a cot top changer might be just the thing.

I've always used a mat on the floor, never bothered with a change table.

Another vote for cot top changer. Avoids the need for baby specific chest of drawers then. We have a lovely tall boy as a chest of drawers in the baby room so saves space. Have used it with 2 DC and will use it for third!

Ikea have got a couple of lovely small sized, white wardrobes. We have the sundvik... It is small sized but fits adult hangers so will last a good while. With that and the tall boy and a few baskets under the bed we have more than enough storage for toddler DC.

We had one like this as our bathroom was downstairs in our first house, so we wanted the baby bath under the mat. Turned out to be perfect, and kept it for second baby even though we were in a new house by then. Being able to bath them at standing height in a bath just the right size for them was ideal for the first couple of months. Meant I didn't have to juggle a slippery baby in a baby bath inside a super deep roll top bath too. http://www.kiddicare.com/p/MyBabiieeMBCHZZChanginggUnitinnGreyChevron.htm

DS just turned 2 and I still use the changing table every day and intend to use it for DC2 due in oct. changing him in the floor is a nightmare as he tries to run off.

Changing mat on the chest of drawers would prob do the same job, but secure it somehow so it doesn't slip off when the start squirming about

We use a Hemnes 8 drawer unit as a changing table, with an Ikea inflatable mat. I decided against a changing table because I felt they were all at the wrong height. The hemnes dressers are higher and so much more comfortable for us. There is also far more storage for clothes, nappies, blankets and bedding.