When Should I Start Buying Baby Furniture

When Should I Start Buying Baby Furniture is a question almost every expectant mom in the United States asks once the pregnancy begins to feel real and the nursery ideas start swirling.

In those early weeks it can be hard to know whether you should start shopping right away, wait until the second trimester, or hold off until you’re sure about your budget and space. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the timing that has worked best for many parents, how long cribs and nursery furniture usually take to arrive, and what to buy first so the room comes together calmly instead of in a last-minute rush.

See the cribs collection here

A warm, softly lit nursery that feels calm and inviting as you begin choosing furniture for your baby’s room.

This page is part of the Pregnancy Questions planning series and focuses on general timing considerations for nursery furniture purchases. It provides organizational guidance only and does not offer medical, financial, or professional advice.

Once you reach the middle of the first trimester, most moms begin feeling more confident about planning, and that’s usually when the “okay, it’s time to get serious about the nursery” moment arrives. This is the stage where you can start gathering ideas, comparing crib styles, checking shipping times, and thinking about how the room will function day to day.

If you’re also shopping for crib hardware or parts, be sure to check out my complete guide to baby crib parts and hardware to make sure you get the right screws, brackets, and conversion kits before ordering.

If your furniture plans include a classic spindle crib, my Jenny Lind crib parts and replacement hardware guide can help you confirm bolts, brackets, and conversions early so there are no surprises later. You don’t have to buy anything yet, but this is when a little gentle planning makes the whole process feel calmer and more intentional.

Why the Second Trimester Is the Best Time to Start Buying Baby Furniture

By the time most moms reach the early second trimester, energy returns, morning sickness eases, and planning the nursery finally feels fun instead of overwhelming. This is also when furniture shopping starts to make the most sense. Many cribs, gliders, and dressers take several weeks to ship, and some popular styles — especially natural-wood convertible cribs — sell out quickly.

If you are still comparing styles and formats before ordering, you can review the full baby cribs styles and types overview to see how standard, convertible, mini, and specialty crib designs are grouped.

When I was preparing our nursery, I learned that choosing pieces early meant I could enjoy decorating slowly instead of scrambling at the end. Starting in the second trimester gives you room to compare finishes, read reviews, and explore ideas on pages like Nursery Ideas and Nursery Wall Décor Ideas without feeling rushed.

(Keep scrolling — more helpful tips just ahead.)

How Long Does Baby Furniture Take to Arrive?

Most parents are surprised to learn that “in-stock” often doesn’t mean “arrives quickly.” The typical delivery window for nursery furniture is:

• Cribs: 2–6 weeks
• Dressers & changing tables: 4–10 weeks
• Rockers and gliders: 3–8 weeks
• Specialty finishes: 8–14 weeks (sometimes longer)

This is one of the biggest reasons to begin early. If your heart is set on a warm pecan-stained crib or a specific modern woodland style, ordering in the second trimester ensures everything arrives before the final-trimester nesting wave begins.

To help narrow options, you may enjoy the styles featured on pages like Baby Cribs and Nursery Furniture.

If you are exploring higher-end heritage crib brands during this stage, you may also want to review the Million Dollar Baby cribs style and documentation overview for historical context and design background.

See the most soothing baby swings

Warm wood nursery furniture and sage green walls are trending — perfect for a cozy safari jungle nursery theme.

How to Decide Which Baby Furniture to Buy First

The best approach is to think about what you will use immediately and what can wait until after the baby arrives.

Buy These Items First

• Crib (or bassinet + crib later)
• Dresser / changing surface
• Rocking chair or glider
• Safe crib mattress

If you’re also trying to sort out the very first newborn essentials beyond furniture, my gentle guide on what should I buy first for the baby walks you through the small, practical items that make those early weeks easier and more peaceful.

For a clear walkthrough that helps you decide, my guide on do you really need a changing table explains the real-world differences, space savings, and safety considerations.

These pieces form the rhythm of newborn life: feeding, changing, soothing, and resting.

I still remember the day our glider arrived — I sank into it and felt, for the first time, like we were truly preparing a home for our baby. It became the heart of our nighttime routine, and I’m so glad we didn’t wait until the last minute to order it.

For inspiration and options, many readers enjoy browsing Real Nursery Ideas and Baby Boy Nursery Pictures.

What Can Wait Until Later?

Once your main pieces are in place, you can add:

• Decorative shelving
• Rugs
• Lamps
• Baskets
• Wall art
• Specialty storage
• Accent tables

These finishing touches are fun and can be added anytime — even after baby arrives.

If you’re drawn to handmade touches, your DIY pages such as DIY Nursery Décor Ideas and DIY Baby Furniture Ideas are excellent resources.

How Safety Guidelines Influence When to Shop

Furniture buying isn’t just about style — safety plays a role too. Crib safety standards and sleep recommendations evolve, so purchasing ahead of time gives you the chance to choose items that follow current guidelines.

If you're considering using a hand-me-down crib or shopping secondhand while planning your nursery timeline, my guide on whether it’s safe to buy a used baby crib walks you through recalls, missing hardware, and what to check before deciding. It pairs perfectly with the timing tips in this section.

For reassurance, here’s a reliable source: Consumer Product Safety Commission — Crib Safety

See my favorite changing stations

A simple, safe changing setup makes those early newborn weeks feel more peaceful and organized.

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When Should I Start Buying Baby Furniture? (Your Complete Timeline)

Weeks 12–20

Gentle planning, idea gathering, price checking

• Look at crib styles, palette ideas, and check shipping estimates.
• Start narrowing down your nursery theme.

Weeks 20–28

The ideal window to buy

• Order crib, dresser, glider, and mattress.
• Begin arranging the layout.
• Choose lighting and essential storage.

Weeks 28–36

Finishing touches

• Wall décor, soft furnishings, baskets, lamps, floating shelves, and woodland accents.
• Add items from Nursery Wall Décor and Baby Room Ideas.

This structure gives you a peaceful, steady rhythm that avoids last-minute overwhelm and clearly answers the question, When Should I Start Buying Baby Furniture, in a way that feels manageable instead of rushed.

Final Thoughts

The real magic of answering When Should I Start Buying Baby Furniture is discovering how much calmer the entire process feels once you begin early. A few well-timed purchases in the second trimester create a peaceful flow that helps the whole nursery come together naturally — and leaves more room for enjoying the sweet moments that follow.