Baby Cribs: Styles, Types, and What to Know Before You Buy
Updated December 20, 2025 by Jan of Unique Baby Gear Ideas
Baby cribs are the centerpiece of your nursery and one of the most important furniture choices you’ll make before your baby arrives. Beyond style, a crib needs to fit your space, work with your long-term plans, and meet today’s safety standards without overwhelming you with confusing options or technical jargon. This guide walks you through crib types, finishes, and practical considerations so you can confidently choose a crib that feels right for your home, your budget, and the way your family will actually use the nursery day to day.
See more here
Start Here: Find Your Crib Parts Fast
Not sure where to begin? Use one of the three quick paths below.
If you’re sorting through crib choices, timing, safety steps or what to buy first, my hub of pregnancy questions offers clear, mom-friendly answers that make the next step easier.
If you’re also weighing which nursery and baby purchases truly need to happen before birth — and which ones can wait until after your baby arrives — this guide on what baby items can wait until after birth helps you plan without unnecessary pressure.
Tip: If your crib is vintage or discontinued, you may still find compatible hardware or a safe conversion kit on the brand pages.
If you’re also trying to decide whether your crib mattress should be raised or lowered as your baby grows, this guide explains crib mattress height adjustment.
Browse Crib Brands (A–Z)
Choose your baby crib brand to see model-specific parts, hardware, and assembly guides.
If your crib is a Baby’s Dream model, see my complete guide to Baby’s Dream crib parts and hardware with model identification tips and replacement hardware sources.
If you’re restoring a DaVinci crib or trying to match missing screws, brackets, or conversion hardware, my full guide may help: DaVinci crib parts and replacement hardware help.
If you’re working with a Childcraft crib and need help identifying the model, locating replacement hardware, or finding compatible parts, see my complete Childcraft crib parts and replacement hardware guide.
If your crib is a classic spindle or vintage-style design, I also put together a focused resource covering compatible bolts, screws, and replacement kits — see my Jenny Lind crib parts and hardware guide.
Don’t see your brand listed? Visit our crib parts guide for universal hardware and conversion kits.
If you’re missing screws or hardware for a Graco model, my Graco Crib Parts Help guide walks you through identifying your model and finding the correct replacement pieces quickly.
If you’re missing screws or hardware for a Graco model or can’t find the original booklet, my Graco crib assembly instructions guide walks you through identifying your model and putting the crib together safely.
Quick Guides
Short, saver-friendly answers to the most common crib parts questions.
How do I identify my crib model and serial number?
Check the frame for a sticker or metal plate: underside of the mattress support, inside the headboard/footboard, or the back rail near a bottom corner. On many older cribs, the tag hides beneath the spring deck. Photograph the label before moving parts.
For step-by-step photos, see our ID tips .
Where should I look on vintage or drop-side cribs?
Start with the drop-side track area and spring hanger corners. Many vintage models place labels on the back panel or under the top rail.
If the label is missing, compare your hardware to the photos on the brand pages: Simmons, Jenny Lind, Pali, Delta, Graco.
What if the parts are discontinued?
You may be able to use compatible hardware (spring hangers, bolts, hooks) or a conversion kit. Always verify fit and current safety standards before use.
Start with the crib parts guide and check the brand page for alternatives. If the crib was subject to a recall or is a drop-side model, review safety guidance before attempting repairs.
Where can I find manuals or assembly instructions?
Visit our crib instructions & manuals page. If your exact model isn’t listed, a manual for the same series often works.
See also: Crib Parts Guide | Assembly Manuals
Reference: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Crib Safety Center
Planning your nursery setup? Visit our DIY nursery decor ideas for décor inspiration or browse the crib parts library to match compatible hardware.
Buying or restoring a used crib can be budget-friendly, but only if it meets current safety standards.
This also includes making sure the mattress fits the crib correctly, since not all crib mattresses fit all cribs, even when both are labeled standard size.
Avoid drop-side designs, ensure slats are less than 2⅜ inches apart, and replace any missing or worn hardware.
You’ll find brand-specific guidance in our crib parts guide and drop-side crib safety section.
Are Used Baby Cribs Safe?
If you’re dealing with a crib that’s missing bolts, brackets, or other components and aren’t sure whether it should be assembled or used, this guide walks through what to consider next: Can you use a crib with missing parts?
If you’re thinking about choosing a secondhand crib, my detailed guide on whether it’s safe to buy a used baby crib walks you through the exact checks I use to make sure an older crib meets today’s safety standards.
Do you feel confused and overwhelmed with the wording of crib reviews and would just like to know which one is best whether they be traditional, round or corner cribs?
Here are a few examples of crib styles and creative DIY projects you’ll find throughout our crib parts and nursery inspiration guides.
See how I finished the project in our Crib Painting Guide.
Repainting a baby crib to match a freshly decorated nursery — safe, simple, and budget-friendly.
My DIY crib painting project shows how a simple paint color refresh can transform your nursery on a budget.
If you’d like to build your own, see our free crib plans and DIY tutorials
Explore more ways to build, decorate, or customize your baby’s crib — from free woodworking plans to stunning canopies and painted makeovers.
A beautiful princess-style nursery featuring a full-sized white crib draped in sheer canopy panels, soft pink walls, and vintage-white furniture — a classic, dreamy baby girl room inspiration.
A fantasy land princess nursery featuring an elegant white carriage crib with soft blush tones and gentle natural light — the perfect blend of luxury and sweetness for your baby girl’s room.
A modern nursery featuring a freshly painted baby crib in soothing sage green tones — a safe, stylish, and inspiring example for parents who want to coordinate nursery colors beautifully.
Baby Cribs
Crib Colors and Finishes
Popular Crib Colors and Features
Today’s baby cribs come in timeless finishes like white, cherry, honey, and black. Many modern designs also include under-crib drawers for handy storage of bedding and baby essentials.
Once you’ve chosen your crib, see how it fits into your nursery design with these baby room ideas. If you’re also finalizing your crib setup and deciding which mattress materials make sense — including whether natural or organic options are worth considering — this reference guide explains the differences in detail: organic crib mattresses.
Please note that I am not an employee or official representative of Delta Children, Simmons, Storkcraft, or any other crib manufacturer. I can help guide you with general information and point you toward common solutions, but only the manufacturer can provide model-specific parts, safety updates, or official instructions.
I share nursery projects and repair ideas for inspiration, but I’m not an authorized crib technician or manufacturer representative. Always verify part compatibility and safety standards before making repairs or modifications. For details, please read the full disclaimer.
Hi, I’m Jan — the creator of Unique Baby Gear Ideas. I love helping expecting parents discover nursery décor inspiration and creative photo shoot ideas that make every stage of pregnancy feel beautiful.
Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of parents choose safe, stylish nursery furniture through hands-on reviews and real-world testing.
The suggestions I share here come from years of hands-on experience styling nurseries, reviewing maternity gowns, and learning what makes each photo session shine.
All articles and images on Unique Baby Gear Ideas are personally reviewed and edited by Jan Bay. Modern creative tools may assist with design or drafting, but every final page reflects my own voice, experience, and editorial judgment.
Unique Baby Gear Ideas advises everyone to never use drop side baby cribs.
It is illegal to buy, sell or use a drop side crib. If you own a drop side crib, please disassemble it and dispose of it at the local city or county waste dump.
🌟 Get Featured!
Have a gorgeous nursery or DIY project you'd love to show off?
✨ Share Your Nursery →
UBGI Gold Standard 2025
Verified for performance, SEO,
and accessibility compliance.
New! Comments
I would love to know what you think of our site! Leave me a comment in the box below.