With any luck, a new baby will spend the majority of his or her first year sleeping. So it makes sense that expecting parents start feathering the nest by choosing a crib.
For me, I knew that my husband and I would be welcoming a baby into a small New York City apartment without a designated nursery. We wanted to make sure we found a crib that integrated discreetly with the rest of our furniture, but that also gave our daughter a safe, peaceful space to sleep. When we were ready to begin our search, this is what we looked for: solid hardwood construction (compliant, of course, with safety rules), eco-friendly finishes, and unobtrusive, timeless design.
While we decided to go with the most affordable option on this list, here are my top 10 choices for beautiful cribs at a range of price points.
Above: For affordable and attractive cribs, Ikea is a reliable place to turn. The Sniglar is made of solid beech and is left unfinished. Simple spindles, a low-profile, the ability to convert to a toddler bed, and the incredibly low price (just $69) made it the choice for our family. Photograph by Erin Boyle for Reading My Tea Leaves.
Above: The Oeuf Sparrow Crib is my favorite from the company famous for its modern kids' designs. It's sustainably made in Europe of FSC-certified birch and Baltic birch plywood with nontoxic, water-based finishes. Available in birch, white, gray, and walnut; $760. A toddler bed conversion kit is sold separately.
Above: The Caravan Crib by Kalon Studios is made in New England of FSC-certified, domestically harvested maple, and comes with a choice of natural, black, red, yellow, or green rails. It's also available for a limited time in white and pink; $695.
Above: The Mid-Century Natural Crib from Dwell Studio is an option for the sophisticated nursery. It’s made of poplar with a natural finish. The X-base structure and brass hardware on the tips of the tapered legs add a touch of elegance. It's currently on sale for $649 (marked down from $799). Also available in white; $899.
Above: The Loom Crib by NurseryWorks was inspired by Shaker designs and is ready for the clean-lined nursery. Made of sustainably harvested wood, it's finished with low-VOC lacquers and stain. Available in white and natural catalpa wood; $649 at All Modern. A toddler bed conversion kit is sold separately.
Above: Another choice from Kalon Studio, the Ioline Crib is an eco-friendly option with a Charles Rennie MacIntosh–style geometric detail. The design converts to a toddler bed without needing extra parts; $1,595 (currently back-ordered).
Above: The Andersen Crib from Land of Nod is a classic, made in the US and available in white or walnut; $749. A toddler bed conversion kit is sold separately.
Above: The Kili Baby Cot & Junior Bed by Sebra is hard to come by on this side of the pond, but this Danish convertible crib has sweet, old-fashioned styling. Available to European shoppers in gray and white at Kids Love Design; €945 ($1,177.40).
Above: The expandable shape of the Sleepi by Stokke makes it stand out from the crowd. The crib is made of solid beech and can be adjusted to fit the growing needs of a baby, starting with a round shape for 0 to 6 months and growing into an oval to fit a child up to 10 years old; $799. Extenders and rounded mattresses sold separately.
Above: The Bloom Alma Mini Crib is a smaller choice for parents (and babies) with limited space. The crib folds flat to store and comes with four lockable casters. Recommended for infants up to 12 months old. It's available in natural (shown here) exclusively at Giggle; it also comes in white, brown, gray, and green; $340.
Looking for more nursery inspiration? See Steal This Look: Stylish Nursery on a Budget. In the mood to make something yourself? Make a sweet-smelling Bouquet for a Newborn (and his or her parents).
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