Nursery Furniture - Sets Or Separates?

Before deciding whether to buy separates or sets here, take some time to decide what kind of nursery furniture is needed. There are all kinds of options including cots, cot beds, beds, changing tables/dressers, wardrobes, storage units, shelving, seats, benches, toy chests, bedside tables and hampers. Most sets will include at least a cot (or other kind of bed), a wardrobe and a changing table/dresser at a basic level -- many contain a lot of other options as well.

The advantages of buying nursery sets

The main advantages of buying sets of furniture is that they all match and that the overall cost may be cheaper than opting for separates. With so many types of furniture available in many sets this means that it is possible to find all the furniture the nursery needs at once with no shopping around. It also means that the furniture in the nursery can be added to over time as the needs of the child change.

There is, however, no guarantee that the set will still be going in a year or two when there is a need to add to/change the furniture which would mean having to buy a separate that doesn’t exactly match. And, there is always the risk that a set may not contain every bit of furniture needed or may include too many items. For example, if the plan is to buy a cot, changing table and dresser but a set also includes a toy hamper and a wardrobe then this result in spending more money than planned on items that weren’t necessary.

The advantages of buying individual pieces of furniture

A bit of shopping around and research may throw up separates that are cheaper than sets. And, by following this route, parents can pick and choose the furniture they exactly want/need and won’t be left with pieces that are not of much use to them. This could prove to be more cost-effective in many cases.

The main disadvantage with buying separates is that they may not match exactly and they may involve more work. Parents will have to shop around more to find exactly what they want and the component cost may ultimately work out more expensive than a set.

Things to remember

It doesn’t matter whether parents choose sets or individual pieces -- they should also think about safety. Nursery furniture should be specially designed and sturdily constructed. Look for rounded edges and smooth surfaces and, if the furniture is painted, check that the paint used was lead-free.

Conclusion

Make sure to buy either individual nursery pieces or sets from reputable manufacturers and retailers. Try to make a decision based on getting the best furniture for the nursery space and the baby’s needs. Finally, make sure to check that the furniture is well made and safe.

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About the Author

Andy Edwards writes regularly on consumer and parenting issues. Further information on nursery furniture sets can be found at Allkids, which is amongst the UK`s most popular childrens and parenting resources with over 3.9 million visitors in 2006. Allkids also includes a wealth of information, resources, kids safe websites & shopping.