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Styling for Baby’s Room
(ARA) - Decorating the nursery is not just about getting one major chore out of the way before the baby arrives. The nursery’s décor makes a statement about the relationship the parent hopes to cultivate with the child – warm and loving, fun and stimulating, soothing and secure.
The infant, toddler and children’s furniture industry is literally a multi-billion-dollar a year business, says Peter Fougerousse, father of three and principal of Rosenberry Rooms, an online retailer that specializes in furniture and accessories for children and infants. With so much available on the market, parents can be confident they will find furnishings and accessories to fit virtually every style and budget.
When decorating your baby’s room, remember your basic considerations should be safety, style, size, quality and price – whether your child’s first bed will be a classic wooden cradle or an heirloom-style iron crib. These basics should be front-of-mind as you shop for every piece of furniture and decoration that will go into your baby’s room, Fougerousse advises.
* Safety is the single most important issue for new parents. No crib, changing table or rocking chair is a good deal – no matter what the price – if the piece doesn’t meet essential safety standards. Research items that are constructed to top safety standards, and find retailers willing to answer questions and certify the safety of the products they sell. All our products meet safety standards, but we welcome customers who are diligent about safety and ask a lot of questions, Fougerousse says.
* Style is how you put your personal stamp on every room of your home. While the nursery is all about baby, it is also still attached to the rest of your house. You can be creative in the nursery, but keep the décor and furniture in step with the style of your home. Endless possibilities - from very masculine or feminine to vintage looking or modern - ensure you can find nursery furniture to fit every taste and style.
* Size and scale are important when selecting nursery furniture. Infant and children’s furniture is designed on a smaller scale than adult furniture. Always take note of the dimensions of any piece you are interested in, especially if you will be mixing it with other furniture pieces, to ensure it will look right in the space.
Although there is some variation, most cribs come in three sizes: 53 inches long by 31 inches wide and 48 inches high; 58 inches long, 30 1/2 wide and 47 3/4 high; and 54 1/4 long, 30 1/4 wide and 47 3/4 high. Changing tables vary more in size because of the different styles. Remember, a dresser/changer combination piece will look bulky and heavier in a space. An open changer will appear smaller, and may be better choice for a smaller space.
* When it comes to quality, you really do get what you pay for. Always ask the details of how a piece is constructed and what materials are used, so you can determine home much wear and tear the piece is likely to withstand. Custom-made furniture may cost more than something stocked in a furniture or baby store, but you have much more ability to personalize an item.
* Nursery pieces that seem very similar can vary widely in price depending on where you shop for them. When pricing custom furniture, keep in mind that differences in details, style and construction will account for differences in price.
Copyright © 2006, ARA, Inc.
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