Nursery Furniture Buying Guide

The first time you feel that baby kick, it's pure magic. If you haven't prepared your home for the baby yet, you may also experience some anxiety. Whether you're in a hurry to find a crib  or you're planning well in advance, these guides will walk you through the process of preparing for a new little angel.

Cribs, Bassinets, Mattresses  and Toddler Beds	Changing Tables	Toy Chests	Rocking Chairs	Armoires and Dressers

In addition to the major categories listed above, you may want to consider the following miscellaneous decor items:

Baby Mobiles  Mobiles keep baby from turning onto his belly, which can be very dangerous for an infant. Infant development is stimulated by mobiles, which encourage curiosity and reaching. Placing a mobile over the changing table will keep baby distracted (thus, cooperative) during diaper changes. Likewise, a mobile over the crib will make more peaceful nights and mornings.	Rugs  Easy to install and relatively inexpensve, throw rugs can keep a nursery looking soft and warm - even if it has a hardwood floor. Look for colorful, soft, and plush rugs for when the baby starts crawling. Rugs can be changed or removed easily - if the pattern or design has a limited life span, you can easily replace it with something more appropriate when the time comes.	Mirrors  These add depth and dimension to any room. A colorful or playful mirror will have some personality, or a simple, sleek mirror will make the room look more classic. Think ahead: as your baby gets older, will this still work? Your baby boy may not want a white and yellow mirror as he matures, or perhaps your baby girl won't like Hello Kitty  as a child.	Wall Hangings  These are all about planning.You don't have to paint the walls pink for baby to feel at home. Coordinated, playful wall hangings can transform a room into a nursery will ease. Wall hangings are a good (and affordable) alternative to fancy wallpaper or custom paint jobs. Just remember to choose a theme or color scheme, and stick to it. A few, strategically placed wall hangings can compliment a painted or papered nursery without looking tacky.	Lamps  Lamps are essential for nurseries, because babies rely on the light to tell them when it's bedtime and when it's playtime. Try soft lights with smaller coverage areas to keep the room peaceful. A reading lamp can be very helpful when mom or dad are watching the baby sleep. You need just enough to read a book without disturbing the baby's slumber. Look for colorful, fun shades. A lamp can compliment a room's theme or make its own statement.

External Links

• Doityourself.com: Articles and opinions from experienced moms and dads