I'm sure that we've all been there..

But I'm stuck with the decision of nursery furniture.
Do we spend the money and buy quality? Or get cheap stuff and who cares?
We want at least 2-3 kids. So my thought process is, is this #1's set for life? Then get the same and spend the same on subsequent kids? Do we use this set for the babies only and get new for older kids?
I really, really don't want to spend a lot, but I want it to last a few yrs at the same time.

Am I even making sense anymore?

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We wanted quality so we spent a good amount of money. I am so happy we did because it is a very good, durable set. We are using this set for babies only and getting new furniture for when they get older.

Message edited 10/3/2011 10:40:35 AM.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

One thing to think about...

If you spend a lot on furniture and great quality, what will be the age spacing between your children? Will your oldest be ready for a big kid bed by the time you are ready to have #2? At any point will you need to purchase a 2nd crib set?

My sister spent a LOT of money (IMO, $6,000+ on nursery furniture is a LOT of money) on her DD's crib, changing table, armoir and bookcase. She converted the bed to a full-size when her DD was 3, and now would need to buy all new furniture all over again for their 2nd child if they have another child.

We did it different, and bought less expensive pieces. I loved my DD's nursery. And we can reuse the crib and changing table, and will now buy my daughter a new dresser for her room since she is big anyway.

But definately the age spacing is something to consider!

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We have a more expensive set for DD. They way I see it- that is hers. We will soon convert it to a toddler bed for her and then a full bed. For this one, we are going to buy new furniture. I don't know if we will by another expensive set or get something of good quality but less $$. Unless someone wants to buy is a gift But this will be out last, so maybe we will go all out.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

we went middle of the road. THis furniture will not follow #1 throughout. Their room will change and my tastes will change.

I want the furniture to be able to hold up but it does not need to last until they go off to collecge. We aren't even buying the crib conversion pieces.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

Luckily the crib I want is about $300 which I consider middle of the road so I have no problem spending that much.

Get what you want. If you go cheap and it craps out on you in a few years you'll be kicking yourself

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We went with a middle ground. The baby bargains book said that the Munire furniture sold at Behrs, etc is sold under Baby Cache at BRU. It is much more reasonable in price and the quality is still fairly good. Plus, we needed two of everything so it seemed a good compromise for us.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We also went with Bona Vita this time and last. The furniture is nice quality and you can find at BBB and use 20 percent off. It wast that bad. I am not crazy about BRU furniture.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We went over board with DD and the room is set up nice. The armoire, dresser and bed are all high quality and expensive furniture. If we have another girl in the future we will put them in the same room. So we would only need another crib, since DD crib turns into her lifetime bed. Next one. We are totally doing an IKEA crib. Check out the website. They have such reasonably priced stuff and my entire house is filled with Ikea furniture. IT LASTS!!

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

we didnt go crazy on the furniture. We did get a nice solid wood set from BRU. The set came to 1500. It would have been about 2000 but we got the crib free. We didnt want to go too crazy bc it is going to be in a childs room and they can destroy things very easily. We figured we would buy a set similar to this one if we have another child. The set we got her will grow with her.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

we went with Muniere for DD#1, and now she is 21 months and DD#2 is coming. We had some great quality real wood furniture that DH refinished white and then we bought a Graco crib and gave that to DD#1 (she still loves being in a crib and she's a great sleeper so not messing with that). We figured the Graco crib only had to last until she was ready for a bed and we'd go straight to a full size bed for her. DD#2 is getting the Muniere set - in fact the nursery is staying almost exactly how it was. In all honesty if I had to do it over again I wouldn't spend the money on the Muniere set, it isn't holding up all that well and we will probably have to replace it at some point in the future.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

I went crazy! We looked around at less expensive options but I had my heart set on a set and when we saw it in person we both loved it. Nothing else compared. Same with the bedding. Normally I like knock offs and less expensive versions but for the baby I couldn't help myself and my husband felt the same way.

We never had nice furniture when we were kids. We both had mismatched hand-me-down furniture and ugly bedrooms so for our baby we went all out.

I may get the glider at Walmart though. It's a save and a compromise. I know the furniture will outlast the glider. Once we are done with babies the glider is going to be a garage sale item so I'm not spending $500-$1,500 on it.

We do plan on having more children in the future but I'm not going to worry too much about that. I can't predict how old this baby will be when we have #2 because as I've learned anything can happen and it may not happen on my time. So we are going to get what we like and not worry about the price tag too much. I'll worry about #2 when I get there There are a lot of variables and I know I'll have options no matter what. Even if #2's furniture isn't as expensive I know the room will still be as nice. Price doesn't always dictate how good a room looks. If I have another baby soon and it's the same sex they may share a room. To many things to think about for the future, so we splurged while we can.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

I'm going through the same thought process. We saw a set that we love but after thinking about it, it's a lot of $ and we don't plan on converting the crib. Soo I think we're going to take the middle road. Hopefully it will hold up for #2.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

what is your idea of expensive?

We got my sons set at BRU. I *think* we paid $900 for the crib and dresser.

It's held up rather nicely and my son is 3 now. I am 23 weeks along with #2.

We are going shopping on friday for my sons big boy furniture. We plan on moving him to his "big boy" room and putting #2 right into the nursery with the crib and dresser.

We will be doing the same thing for #3 one day too. Just musical rooms, that's all.

Message edited 10/4/2011 8:16:32 PM.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We went middle of the road. We're pretty simple people, we weren't looking for anything fancy. Got a nice Bonavita set when DS was born using coupons at BBB-- crib and dresser. Probably $800 total for both. When I was pg with DD we bought DS a new furniture set at Raymour and Flanigan clearance center in Farmingdale, it was a great price because it was discontinued, and then the Bonavita set went to our new DD. She's our last one so she's going to be stuck with that set for a while (it's a convertible crib)

We also bought a glider which I used practically every day for 5 yrs, between the 2 kids! Nighttime feedings, bedtime stories, rocking and cuddles, etc... That was the best money we ever spent!

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

We went inexpensive on DD#1's crib...and I regretted it....we ended up getting rid of it and putting her in a twin bed, because it was very unsteady.

Her changer and dresser we went middle of the road, and they are in good shape, though a little nicked / scratched from moving several times.

At this point, we've purchased a new, middle of hte road crib for #2, we're using the changer for the baby and the dresser for DD.

I think in a couple of years, we will get DD #1 new furniture, that will be meant to last through high school. Then a few years later we'll buy DD#2 the same.

So, my opinion would be middle of the road....it will last if you need to, not break the bank now, and allow for your tastes and that of your DC to change.

Message edited 10/5/2011 3:58:31 PM.

Re: I'm sure that we've all been there..

My decision was based on finances and location. We live with FIL and want to save for a house. I really did not want to spend a lot on furniture. We plan on keeping the crib for baby #2 if that ever happens. So I did make sure that was of good quality.
I took advantage of a sale and ordered the JCP exclusive brand and paid $750 for a crib and two dressers.