Decisions, decisions — and during life’s most exciting time: growing your family! A new member is about to join your family, so it’s time for you to prepare a safe, stylish, and calming nursery to serve as a space for you to bond with your newest family member. And, when planning your nursery, there’s no question as to what the “heart of the nursery” is: it’s the crib.

When choosing the right baby crib for your nursery, it’s important to ask yourself what matters most to you:

• Size: Can my nursery fit a standard, full-size crib? Should I go for a mini crib? Do I have room for a crib & changer? You want to make sure that your crib is sized appropriately for your designated nursery room.

• Storage: Do I want a drawer beneath my crib, or am I fine without storage integrated into the crib? If your nursery won’t have room for a chest of drawers or dresser, choosing a crib with drawer may be the smart way to go. 

• Features: Do I want an attached changing table? Do I want a toddler safety guardrail included with the crib? Do I want something innovative, like a crib that transforms into bookcases (you’ll see what we mean by this layer on in the article!).

• Convertibility: Do I want a 3-in-1 crib, 4-in-1 crib, or 5-in-1 crib? Am I planning to convert my crib into a full bed, or is a toddler bed the extent of how long I’ll realistically use this crib? Some cribs (3-in-1 convertible crib) only convert into a toddler bed, while others (4-in-1 convertible crib and 5-in-1 convertible crib) have the ability to transform into a toddler bed and into a full bed. 

In this article, we’ll give you a quick and easy rundown of the four main types of baby cribs, the different styles of cribs available, and also help guide you through your bag crib decision. While a nursery contains many useful items and pieces of furniture, nothing is more important than a baby crib — as the crib truly is the heart of the nursery.

Types of Cribs

When considering a baby crib to add to your nursery, there are four main types of cribs:

1. Crib (Standard, Full-Size Crib) — This is your standard, full-size baby crib. Sleek and stylish, this type of crib is easier to assemble and fits a wide range of budgets. For a timeless, easy-to-build crib that won’t break the bank, check out our Storkcraft® Morningside 5-in-1 Convertible Crib  or Storkcraft® Pasadena® 3-in-1 Convertible Crib. For something a little more substantial with more style, check out our Storkcraft® Beckett® 3-in-1 Convertible Crib.

 

2. Mini Crib (Miniature Crib) — If your nursery is smaller (as is the case for many families living in urban high rises) or if you’re preparing to welcome twins to your family (and you need two cribs), look no further than the mini crib. Don’t be fooled by the name — a mini crib may be smaller in size, but it still packs all the features of its larger counterparts. While a mini crib cannot transform into a toddler bed or full bed like its larger cousins, it does have the ability to transform into a twin bed. Check out the Graco® Teddi® 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib or  Graco® Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib for a cute and capable mini crib option. 

 

3. Crib with Drawer (Standard, Full-Size Crib with Integrated Storage) — A crib with drawer is a great option for a nursery that cannot fit a chest of drawers or dresser, as this type of crib offers convenient, concealed storage beneath the crib. Check out the Graco® Tristan™ Convertible Crib With Drawer or Graco® Sasha™ 5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Drawer for two great options. 

 

4. Crib & Changer (Standard, Full-Size Crib with Attached Changing Table — Usually with Integrated Storage) — The ultimate, all-in-one nursery solution. If your nursery has the space to accommodate a crib & changer, you’ve met your ultimate crib companion. A crib & changer usually features tons of storage, and has all of the conversions to last throughout childhood. Oh, and did we mention its attached changing table also includes a water-resistant changing pad? Check out our Graco® Shiloh™ 5-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer or Graco® Hadley 5-in-1 Convertible Crib & Changer with Drawer.

 

Styles of Cribs

Once you have narrowed down which type of crib will suit your family’s needs and fit comfortably in your space, you can dive into the different styles available to bring your nursery to life. Some of the most popular baby crib styles include:

1. Modern — Oftentimes two-tone, more European-inspired, and usually without a raised headboard. Check out our Storkcraft® Equinox 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, as an example.

2. Classic — Usually has a raised headboard, monotone in color (especially with warmer wood tones), and incorporates design elements that are timeless — not trendy. Check out our Graco® Olivia™ 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

3. , especially in its gorgeous Hazelnut colorway.

4. Traditional — Your classic “storybook” crib. Traditional cribs incorporate design elements like sleigh style, and usually are in wood tones or very safe colorways, like white or black. Check out our traditional Storkcraft® Portofino 5-in-1 Convertible Crib & Changer or Graco® Paris 4-in-1 Convertible Crib.

5. Transitional — The easiest style to pair with any nursery. Fits seamlessly with any decor. Check out the Graco® Teddi® 5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Drawer.

 

Going Bold — A Designer Piece

If you’re looking for a “showstopper” crib to serve as the heart of your nursery, look no further than Storkcraft’s iconic Art of Nursery collection. Each Art of Nursery baby crib is an in-house designed masterpiece, includes a toddler safety guardrail in the box, and is rooted in an authentic story of inspiration. 

1. Storkcraft® Santorini® Deluxe 5-in-1 Convertible Crib: A “father-daughter love story” that embodies the juxtaposition of light, airy design with sturdy, substantial craftsmanship. Its curved base has made this crib an internationally-recognized, award-winning nursery icon.
2. Storkcraft® Casablanca™ Deluxe 5-in-1 Convertible Crib: Unlike other “scallop” cribs, the Casablanca incorporates wider “waves” to make this crib work for any nursery. Its rounded posts and seamless under-crib drawer make this a showpiece.
3. Storkcraft® Kyoto Deluxe Convertible Crib: An example of “Japandi” (Japanese-Scandinavian) architecture, brought to life in the form of a crib.

 

To Last a Lifetime

Storkcraft’s most innovative crib comes in the form of a beautiful baby crib that converts into two, individual, standalone kids’ room bookshelves. Storkcraft’s award-winning Graco® Read-with-Me 4-in-1 Convertible Bookcase Crib with Drawer starts as a gorgeous, transitional baby crib (with hidden hardware for a soft and sleek look), transforms into a toddler bed, converts into a daybed, and—lastly—comes apart into two bookshelves that can be safely bolted into your bedroom or nursery walls.

 

Final Thoughts

When choosing a crib for your nursery, the most important thing to ask yourself—first—is what type of crib will fit the dimensions of your designated nursery space. From there, the fun starts: style, color, and budget. However, it’s important that the size of crib allows you to fit other important nursery items in the room (like a chair for feeding, or a changing table). Happy shopping, and we’re here to help in any way we can. After all, we’ve been crafting cribs since 1945!