A modern crib for cheap?
March 22, 2012 6:59 AM Subscribe
Help me pick a baby crib that won't break the bank and will look nice in our small (approx. 100 sq. ft.) nursery.
My husband and I are expecting a baby. We both have a preference for modern, clean lines (think Mid Century Modern), and we would like our baby crib to reflect that. I like this crib from Dwell but is absolutely out of our price range, as is this one from The Land of Nod. Since these are both out of our price range, can fellow Mefites suggest a cheap alternative? Ideally, we would like a crib that converts easily to toddler and possibly older stages, but it's not absolute. I do not like cribs that have curved backs (like this from Babies 'R' Us). Are there any cribs out there that have straight, clean, and modern lines that are safe for baby? I assume that all retailers must uphold safety guidelines for cribs. FWIW, I have seen these cribs at IKEA. Is this our only option for the kind of crib I'm looking for? What else is out there that I don't know about? Is it worth spending more money on a crib, even if it doesn't convert? Please hope us.
My husband and I are expecting a baby. We both have a preference for modern, clean lines (think Mid Century Modern), and we would like our baby crib to reflect that. I like this crib from Dwell but is absolutely out of our price range, as is this one from The Land of Nod. Since these are both out of our price range, can fellow Mefites suggest a cheap alternative? Ideally, we would like a crib that converts easily to toddler and possibly older stages, but it's not absolute. I do not like cribs that have curved backs (like this from Babies 'R' Us). Are there any cribs out there that have straight, clean, and modern lines that are safe for baby? I assume that all retailers must uphold safety guidelines for cribs. FWIW, I have seen these cribs at IKEA. Is this our only option for the kind of crib I'm looking for? What else is out there that I don't know about? Is it worth spending more money on a crib, even if it doesn't convert? Please hope us.
I was also obsessed with the mid century modern cribs, and desperately wanted a grey $865 crib. We end up buying a Kendall crib from Pottery Barn Kids which is basic and small and convertible to a toddler bed and also seems to be permanently on sale. I also advise against spending a lot of money on a crib; turns out this baby hates cribs and we've already abandoned her crib in favor of a mattress on the floor, leaving us with a lovely cat bed (if we had an Ikea nearby that is probably what I would have bought). Also, if you go used make sure the crib has not been recalled; there was a huge shift in safety standards about 2 years ago, and a ton of cribs, including all drop gate cribs, were recalled.
posted by girl scientist at 7:15 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by girl scientist at 7:15 AM on March 22, 2012
We got this one from Overstock.com and it's perfect. It's on the smaller side, which for us (in a one bedroom in Manhattan) is a good thing. You can't argue with the price either.
Plus you can buy bed rails to turn it into a bed when your baby grows out of it.
posted by BobbyVan at 7:18 AM on March 22, 2012
Plus you can buy bed rails to turn it into a bed when your baby grows out of it.
posted by BobbyVan at 7:18 AM on March 22, 2012
We got the Sundvik crib from Ikea. It converts to a toddler bed. My kid has been sleeping on it for the first 2.5 years of her life and will probably get another two years on it. I have zero complaints.
posted by gnutron at 7:26 AM on March 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by gnutron at 7:26 AM on March 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: No no no, the IKEA one is an option, I was just wondering if there was something else like it. It's at the top of the list for sure, for price and looks. Sorry for the confusion!
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:29 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:29 AM on March 22, 2012
Here are some other options from Target and Walmart (the online stores only). Babyletto Two Tone, Sorelle White, Baby Mod, Baby Mod ParkLane, Baby Mod Modena.
posted by bove at 7:38 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by bove at 7:38 AM on March 22, 2012
We got this one from Target. It's really cheap but we didn't care since we figured it'll only be used til our little one is about 4 years old then we'll get him a nice big bed. We've had it for 2 years now and it's holding up just fine. It comes in other colors as well. It's got simple clean lines, but I'm not sure if it's the style you're looking for.
posted by daydreamer at 7:39 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by daydreamer at 7:39 AM on March 22, 2012
I have the Baby Mod Olivia crib from Walmart, and it has given us no trouble and looks a lot like some more high end pieces.
posted by TallulahBankhead at 7:58 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by TallulahBankhead at 7:58 AM on March 22, 2012
My requirements for a crib match yours and I seriously considered the Baby Mod Olivia (mobile link - sorry!) from Walmart. FWIW, I ended up with a similar crib and changing table set from Babies R Us, but they've been discontinued.
posted by kittydelsol at 8:03 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by kittydelsol at 8:03 AM on March 22, 2012
We got one from Ikea, and after 5 months we are very happy with it. There's really no reason to spend more money on something that won't last very long.
posted by barney_sap at 8:23 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by barney_sap at 8:23 AM on March 22, 2012
The IKEA cribs are great. You can get the perfect mattress for your needs there, too, and it converts so easily, it'll be almost painless.
posted by batmonkey at 8:47 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by batmonkey at 8:47 AM on March 22, 2012
I really loved the makeover AB Chao gave this Jenny Link crib. It's under $200 and that glossy paint really gives it a sweet look.
Other than that, IKEA all the way.
posted by amanda at 9:56 AM on March 22, 2012
Other than that, IKEA all the way.
posted by amanda at 9:56 AM on March 22, 2012
Craigslist is great for baby stuff. If you're concerned about germs and whatnot, stick to things you can wash off completely (like cribs, changing tables, etc) and you can save a lot. Some folks even keep the manuals, but if they don't, you can find lots of product information and reviews online, to cross-check your potential purchase.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:06 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by filthy light thief at 10:06 AM on March 22, 2012
Craigslist is great for baby stuff. If you're concerned about germs and whatnot, stick to things you can wash off completely (like cribs, changing tables, etc) and you can save a lot.
The issue isn't germs, it's recalls. It can be tricky to check whether a specific model you're looking at on Craigslist has been recalled for safety issues.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:16 AM on March 22, 2012
The issue isn't germs, it's recalls. It can be tricky to check whether a specific model you're looking at on Craigslist has been recalled for safety issues.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:16 AM on March 22, 2012
Sundvik has held up well for us for more than 18 months. If we weren't getting a free crib from a friend for #2 I would be buying a second one. We also have ours in a small space.
posted by bq at 11:40 AM on March 22, 2012
posted by bq at 11:40 AM on March 22, 2012
The Stork Craft Libby Crib from ToysRUs is not super-modern, but has fairly clean lines. Price is good!
posted by Kabanos at 2:35 PM on March 22, 2012
posted by Kabanos at 2:35 PM on March 22, 2012
Based on this post from Young House Love, we purchased the same crib they chose - the BabyMod ParkLane - and I have no complaints. (I do wish we had bought one of those rail protector things, as our baby scraped off some of the paint with his teeth during a particularly chewy phase.) It was less than $300 and has a non-toxic finish (no VOCs or formaldehyde).
It includes the toddler rail, and has an added bonus of a bottom drawer you can use to store extra sheets and blankets. It's a little bit "chunkier" visually than the cribs you linked to, but I think it still has somewhat of a minimalist aesthetic, and the wood drawer is much prettier (less orangey) in person.
posted by meggan at 2:41 PM on March 22, 2012
It includes the toddler rail, and has an added bonus of a bottom drawer you can use to store extra sheets and blankets. It's a little bit "chunkier" visually than the cribs you linked to, but I think it still has somewhat of a minimalist aesthetic, and the wood drawer is much prettier (less orangey) in person.
posted by meggan at 2:41 PM on March 22, 2012
Also Storkcraft Sheffield from walmart (though not with that skirt!).
posted by Kabanos at 2:44 PM on March 22, 2012
posted by Kabanos at 2:44 PM on March 22, 2012
We have the Bonavita Peyton Classic in white. It has a drawer at the bottom and wheels. We like it because it has simple lines. We bought it at Buy Buy Babies but it's selling for $329 on-line.
posted by mbidi at 6:39 PM on March 22, 2012
posted by mbidi at 6:39 PM on March 22, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:07 AM on March 22, 2012 [1 favorite]