What nursery furniture do I need?
Nursery Planning
Where do you begin?
The nursery furniture most parents need includes a cot bed, mattress, fitted sheets, practical storage, and a changing setup. Many families choose a convertible cot bed from birth because it can grow with their child and reduce the need to move to a larger bed as quickly.
If you are choosing baby furniture for your first nursery, this simple guide can help make nursery planning feel clearer.
Getting Started
What nursery furniture should I start with?
The nursery furniture you should start with is the furniture you will use every day. For most families, that means a cot, practical nursery storage, and a changing setup that works for the room, along with a mattress and fitted sheets designed for the cot.
Begin with the nursery essentials and add more pieces later to your nursery setup. The aim is to create a room that supports everyday routines, from sleep and changing to quiet moments together.
Essentials vs Nice-to-Haves
What are the nursery essentials vs nice-to-have pieces?
Nursery essentials are the pieces that support sleep, changing, and everyday care. These usually include a baby bed or cot bed, a mattress designed to fit, fitted sheets, storage, and a practical place for changing.
Nice-to-have pieces can make the room feel more complete, but they depend on your space and routine. A nursery chair, extra organisers, decorative shelves, or soft accessories can all be helpful.
Quick Reference
Nursery furniture at a glance
| Nursery piece | Essential or nice-to-have? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cot bed | Essential | Creates your baby's main sleep space from the start |
| Mattress and fitted sheets | Essential | Complete the baby sleep setup and should be designed to fit the cot |
| Nursery storage | Essential | Keeps clothes, nappies, bedding and daily care items close by |
| Changing setup | Essential | Gives you a practical space for everyday care |
| Nursery chair | Essential | Helpful for feeding, settling and quiet moments, if space allows |
| Decorative shelves or extra organisers | Nice-to-have | Can help finish the room, but can be added later |
Cot bed
Essential or nice-to-have?
Essential
Why it matters
Creates your baby's main sleep space from the start
Mattress and fitted sheets
Essential or nice-to-have?
Essential
Why it matters
Complete the baby sleep setup and should be designed to fit the cot
Nursery storage
Essential or nice-to-have?
Essential
Why it matters
Keeps clothes, nappies, bedding and daily care items close by
Changing setup
Essential or nice-to-have?
Essential
Why it matters
Gives you a practical space for everyday care
Nursery chair
Essential or nice-to-have?
Essential
Why it matters
Helpful for feeding, settling and quiet moments, if space allows
Decorative shelves or extra organisers
Essential or nice-to-have?
Nice-to-have
Why it matters
Can help finish the room, but can be added later
Storage
How much storage do I need in a nursery?
You need enough nursery storage for the things you use most often, including clothes, nappies, bedding and small care items. For a first nursery, and during the early weeks, it helps to keep these essentials within easy reach, so everyday care feels simple and calm.
Drawers, baskets or shelves can all help keep the nursery organised without making the room feel crowded. The best nursery storage is simple to use, easy to maintain and placed close to the routines it supports.
Changing
Is a changing table necessary?
Every nursery needs a dedicated place for changing your baby and storing essentials close at hand. This could be a dresser with a changing top, combining storage and a changing space, or a compact changing table designed for smaller rooms. Built-in drawers or shelves keep nappies, wipes and clothing within easy reach, helping make everyday routines more organised.
The best choice depends on your room layout, storage needs and daily routine. If space is limited, a dresser with a changing surface can maximise functionality, while a compact changing table can provide a dedicated care station without taking up unnecessary space. As your baby grows, flexible storage solutions can help the nursery stay practical and organised for longer.
Long-Term Value
Which nursery furniture grows with your child?
One of the most common pieces of nursery furniture that grows with your child is a cot. A convertible cot bed can be a thoughtful choice, giving your baby a consistent sleep space through the early years while helping you choose the centrepiece of their room just once.
The right design can support more than one stage as your child grows.
Stokke® Sleep Collections
Cots that grow with your baby
Both Nighti™ and Sleepi™ are designed to support the early years with thoughtful details that adapt to different stages of family life. At Stokke®, sleep solutions are shaped by decades of children's furniture design.
Stokke® Nighti™
Stokke® Sleepi™
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about nursery furniture
What furniture should be in a baby's nursery?+
A baby's nursery usually needs a cot bed, mattress, fitted sheets, storage and a changing solution. These are the core nursery essentials that support sleep, changing and everyday care.
Do I need a dresser in a nursery?+
A dresser can provide useful storage for clothes, bedding and baby essentials, however it depends how big your nursery space is. In smaller rooms where space is tight, simple drawers, baskets or shelves can also work well.
What nursery furniture lasts the longest?+
Convertible cot beds usually offer one of the longest periods of use. A cot that grows with baby, such as Stokke® Nighti™ or Sleepi™, can support your child through the early years and reduce the need for separate sleep furniture.