ROUND CRIBS
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PRICE
It’s true that the charm and visual appeal of round cribs comes at a slightly elevated price. However, it’s my opinion that round baby cribs have unfairly earned the reputation of being outrageously expensive. If you shop carefully, you can find one for prices that are comparable to those of a traditional baby bed.
ROUND CRIBS AT LOW PRICES
At the time of this article, Angel Line offers an affordable style that includes a round crib mattress for slightly over $400 and brand new, solid wood round baby crib with canopy sold in an Ebay auction for approximately $300 with free shipping. While those prices are not what I would call cheap, they are reasonable and within reach unless you are working with an extremely tight decorating budget.
CUSTOM ROUND BABY CRIBS
The most common name tossed about in discussions regarding custom cribs is the Little Miss Liberty crib company. This manufacturer has selections that range in price anywhere from $800 to upwards of $2,000 for their twin or double round baby crib (the duetta which is Italian for two) for multiples. Their themed cribs include Winnie the Pooh, carousel horses and a garden cottage style. They also offer free dome canopy kits, round crib mattresses and a selection of exclusive round crib bedding.
There are other companies that have custom offerings that have been hand painted to reflect many popular themes from bunny rabbits to monkeys and the occasional green frog with cute, hand carved finials in the shape of characters or in the same themes as the paintings on the bed.
PERSONALIZE YOUR ROUND CRIB
A cheap way to give your round baby crib a personalized look would be to buy a cheap round white crib and paint it yourself. There are several clever painting techniques that you can use to personalize your baby’s bed including stenciling a monogram or your baby’s name on the solid portion of the wooden side of the crib, painting simple motifs that complement the theme of the room or painting a scene that is an extension of the baby’s room design.
ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES
Depending on the layout of your nursery, the pros of round cribs can far outweigh the cons. Here are some of the advantages of spending the extra cash to go round rather than square:
- The easy access to baby from all sides through the single or drop down rails is a big benefit.
- Many consider the lack of corners to be of the many layers helpful in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
As with any product, there are pros and cons associated with round cribs even beyond issues of the more expensive price. Here is a quick reference list of details you make want to take into consideration before making a purchase:
- One of the biggest drawbacks is that they are not convertible into a toddler bed and your baby boy or girl won’t be able to sleep in a round bed as long as in a classic crib.
- In order to get the most benefit out of the drop sides and easier access to baby that round cribs offer, the bed must be positioned away from the nursery walls. If you are working with a small nursery, this is not the best use of floor space
- At the time of this writing I see no organic, round crib mattresses for sale.
- The width of the crib is wider than most standard door frames which means that the casters are handy in moving the crib from one area of the nursery to the other but the crib will not be mobile from one room to another without having to at least partially dismantle it.
- Custom cribs can have a shipping delay of up to 8 weeks. If customizing is desired, plan ahead or have a bassinet on hand to use until your baby’s bed is delivered.
- The selection of round crib bedding sets has expanded tremendously but is still more limited than that of classic nursery bedding. I have found that many parents who choose a round bed prefer to make their own out of fabrics they select themselves so this may be a non-issue to them. But I still felt that I should mention it to shoppers who might have to rely on ready made sets.
THE BOTTOM LINE
In closing the best advice that I can offer is to make an honest assessment of your lifestyle, decorative preferences and the size and shape of your nursery to see if a round baby bed is the best choice for you and your newborn. Don’t discount round cribs because they are too pricey because if they can make your baby more safe and comfortable plus make your nursery more remarkable they are worth every penny.
Return to Unique Baby Gear, Crib Bedding Themes and Nursery Decorating Ideas to find nursery decorating ideas for moms who appreciate the advantages of round baby beds.
