When Is It Time to Set Up Your Baby's Nursery?

If you got the news that you are expecting and immediately began to imagine your baby’s nursery, you’re not alone. Preparing for your baby’s arrival is an exciting time. It is also a marathon, not a sprint.

You have a lot of time to prepare between seeing your positive test and your due date. So, when is the best time to begin setting up your baby’s nursery? We have compiled our best advice for all things nursery, so read on!

There is no hard and fast rule on when you need to set up your baby’s nursery, as every family has different timelines, finances, and plans. But the general consensus is to wait until after 12 weeks of pregnancy, when you are at the end of the first trimester. At this time, most new parents have begun to share the news of their little one and are ready to begin planning for their baby’s arrival.

The second trimester is the best time to start setting up your baby’s nursery. This is the time when pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness typically lessen, and the mommy-to-be will gain back some of her energy. New parents might also begin planning a baby shower. 

Your baby registry can be a great place to ask for nursery furniture and nursery decor. Using a registry that allows for group gifting is a great way to mark off some of those big ticket items for your nursery room, because multiple people can contribute toward the total cost.

Bundling is another great way to buy nursery furniture, because it can save you both money and time. When you buy a nursery set from Nurture& you can find everything you need for the baby’s room in customizable colors to suit your style. Check out our bundled collections of cribs, dressers, and gliders!

Here’s our best advice for preparing the baby’s nursery for their arrival.

First, start by making a list of the furniture you will need for your baby’s room. The top five nursery furniture essentials include:

This is arguably the most important piece of nursery furniture you will purchase. You want the place that your baby sleeps in to be safe, comforting, and made of nontoxic materials like Nurture&’s premium quality, adjustable crib. Learn more about purchasing the perfect crib on our journal. Skip the bumpers, but don’t forget the mattress!

Nurture&’s high quality dressers come in two different sizes and neutral colors to match your nursery design. Choose between four or six drawers so you can have the right amount of space for your baby’s clothes. Nurture&’s Dresser also comes pre-assembled and ready to use out of the box so you won't have to worry about putting it together.

A nursery glider or rocking chair is a must have. New parents and their little ones spend most of their time during the first year rocking in their gliders for feeding, comfort, and quality time. A life saver for feeding, especially during those late night sessions. Choose one with head and lumbar support for extra comfort and relaxation.

A nightstand has many uses in your baby’s room. Place a dimmable lamp on it for soft light that can double as a nightlight. Use it to hold your baby’s stuff, like bottles, toys, and books for bedtime, or your own things while snuggling your baby in the glider.

If your baby’s nursery has a small or nonexistent closet, don’t fret! A great dual purpose storage item like the storage ottoman can help create more room for your little one’s things.

Other furniture you will want to consider include:

Whether parents and caregivers are sharing the night shift or looking for a cozy spot to snuggle and soothe their little one, having a dedicated, comfortable spot in the nursery to sleep can vastly benefit the health and wellness of everyone in the family.

Even as the baby gets older and the nights get a little easier, having the ability to sleep in the nursery when their little one gets sick or simply needs a little more TLC, is an option that many caregivers will opt for and is much safer than bedsharing.  Nurture&’s daybeds and kid’s beds come in a wide array of customizable colors, with an optional storage trundle for increased storage solutions!

Before your newborn baby sleeps in a crib, you may want to have them in a bassinet near your bed. These can be useful but have limited use since you’ll need to transition your baby to a crib around 4-6 months.

If you’ve decided on a convertible crib for your new baby, don’t forget to budget for the necessary accessories to convert it. The toddler rail will replace the front bars of the crib when it is time to transition into a toddler bed.

It is important to know how much you can spend and to then plan accordingly to ensure you can purchase everything you need. Nurture& has the best products and prices for new parents. Our bundles allow you to customize the nursery furniture and colors that best suit your style while saving money. Check out our collection!

Many nursery designs and decor are gender-neutral, like jungle, mountains, ocean, or rainbow. 

Design and plan the best way to organize the nursery furniture and the elements that will be in the room. The placement of the crib is the most important. Make sure it is located in a safe and comfortable space away from any windows with dangerous cords, or that will heat the crib up in direct sunlight. Consider our other tips when planning your perfect nursery.

Time to pick your favorite paint color or colors! You will want to paint the walls at least two months before your due date to allow for the paint fumes to dissipate before you or your new baby spend time in there. 

Once the big things are in place, you can add decorative touches like wall art to the space. Nursery walls are a great place to add personal touches like names and themed art. 

Make sure your baby is safe by babyproofing their space. Use outlet covers, buy cordless blinds, and secure large nursery furniture to the walls. Buying nontoxic products like those at Nurture& is a great way to keep your baby safe. 

The total cost of setting up your new baby’s nursery depends solely on your budget. Whether your budget is on the smaller or larger side, saving money by shopping for the best price will free up resources for things like more adorable baby clothes or those always needed diapers.

Start by getting a good idea of the average price of baby products with your specific needs in mind. If you want a crib that transitions as your little one grows, make sure to compare the prices of convertible beds and toddler rails.

Keep an eye out for labels like JPMA certified, Greenguard certified, and Prop 65 compliant to ensure you are shopping for the safest nontoxic products for your family. When you shop a brand like Nurture&, you will see our commitment to safe sleep and the use of nontoxic materials with these labels and our thoughtful, sustainable designs.

If you need more tips on how to cut costs from your budget, try these!

• Take advantage of nursery furniture bundles and save even more than you would by buying them separately.

• Plan early so you can keep an eye out for the best deals and sales.

• Buy dual purpose furniture. A convertible crib and a dresser with a changing table topper will help you save space and money.

• Skip the crib bedding. All your new baby needs is a crib sheet and a swaddle or sleep sack. The sets with comforters and crib bumpers aren’t necessary, as these are actually safety hazards when used in your baby’s crib.

Setting up your baby’s nursery doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Follow our tips for when to begin and our step by step guide, and you will have plenty of time to set up your dream nursery before your baby’s arrival.

Are you in the process of designing your dream nursery? At Nurture&, we design premium nursery furniture that’s made with non-toxic materials and built with modern families in mind. Visit our website to learn more.