Kidora Parent Hub

Preparing a Nursery for Your Baby

Preparing a nursery can be enjoyable, but a newborn does not need a fully decorated room immediately.

The most important priorities are a safe sleep space, suitable furniture, practical storage, comfortable lighting and an arrangement that supports everyday care.

This UK guide focuses on creating a safe, useful nursery without unnecessary spending or pressure to complete everything before birth.

How to Use This Guide

This page provides practical room and product-planning information. It does not replace current NHS safer-sleep guidance, professional advice or the manufacturer’s instructions for cots, mattresses, furniture and electrical products.

Trusted UK Nursery-Safety Links

• NHS safer-sleep guidance
• The Lullaby Trust mattress and bedding guidance
• Child Accident Prevention Trust blind-cord guidance
• Child Accident Prevention Trust falls and furniture guidance
• UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls

Start with Function, Not Decoration

Before buying furniture or accessories, think about how the room will actually be used.

Consider:

• Where the baby will sleep
• Where nappies and clothes will be stored
• Where feeding may happen
• How the room will be used at night
• Whether the baby will sleep in the parents’ room at first
• How the space may change as the baby grows

Plan for Room Sharing During the First Six Months

The NHS advises placing the baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as a parent for every sleep for at least the first six months.

A nursery may therefore initially be used for clothing storage, changing, feeding, play and later sleep arrangements.

Use the current NHS safer-sleep guidance.

Choose a Safe Cot or Crib

Check that the sleep space:

• Is suitable for the baby’s age and size
• Has all required parts
• Has no cracks, splinters or unsafe gaps
• Assembles securely
• Includes or has access to the correct instructions
• Has not been modified

Use the Correct Mattress

The mattress should:

• Fit the exact cot or crib
• Be firm and flat
• Fit without unsafe gaps
• Be clean and fully dry
• Have no sagging, tears or mould

Do not use cushions, folded blankets or foam to fill gaps.

Keep the Sleep Space Clear

NHS guidance says to keep the cot clear of anything that could cover the baby’s face or head.

Do not add pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys, sleep positioners, pods or nests to the sleep space.

Follow the exact current NHS guidance and the manufacturer’s instructions for the cot, mattress, fitted sheet or sleeping bag.

Position the Cot Carefully

Place the cot away from:

• Radiators
• Portable heaters
• Direct sunlight
• Windows
• Blind cords
• Curtain cords
• Trailing electrical cables
• Heavy wall-mounted objects

Keep Blind and Curtain Cords Out of Reach

Blind cords and chains can create a strangulation risk.

Use suitable safety devices and keep all cords secured well away from the cot, changing area and furniture the child may later climb.

Choose Stable Furniture

Wardrobes, drawers, shelves and bookcases should be:

• Stable
• In good condition
• Suitable for the room
• Secured to the wall where appropriate
• Positioned away from the cot

Follow the manufacturer’s fixing instructions and use suitable wall fixings for the wall type.

Anchor Tall Furniture

As babies grow into mobile toddlers, unsecured furniture can tip if climbed or pulled.

Secure items such as:

• Drawer units
• Wardrobes
• Bookcases
• Changing units
• Freestanding shelves

Choose Practical Storage

Useful nursery storage may include:

• Drawers
• Wardrobe space
• Open baskets
• Labelled boxes
• Under-cot storage where safe

Store frequently used items at adult waist or shoulder level so they can be reached without leaving the baby unattended.

Organise Clothes by Size

Use labelled sections for:

• Newborn
• 0–1 month
• 0–3 months
• 3–6 months
• Outgrown clothing

Keep the next size accessible because babies can outgrow clothing quickly.

Create a Simple Changing Area

A changing table is optional.

A practical changing area should include:

• A stable changing surface
• A wipe-clean mat
• Nappies
• Wipes or cotton wool
• Barrier cream where needed
• Spare clothing
• A safe disposal method

Never Leave a Baby Unattended on a Raised Surface

Babies can begin rolling unexpectedly.

Keep all changing supplies within reach and keep one hand on the baby where needed.

Use a Floor Changing Mat if Practical

A floor changing mat can:

• Reduce fall risk
• Save space
• Avoid the need for a specialist changing table
• Be moved between rooms

Create a Comfortable Feeding Space

A dedicated nursery chair is optional, but a comfortable feeding space can be useful.

Consider:

• Back support
• Arm support
• A nearby table
• Water for the parent
• Low lighting
• Phone charger
• Muslin cloths

Avoid Unsafe Sleeping in Feeding Chairs

Do not plan to sleep with the baby in an armchair or sofa.

If the parent becomes drowsy, move the baby to a safe sleep space as soon as possible.

Use Soft, Practical Lighting

Useful lighting may include:

• A main ceiling light
• A low-level lamp
• A dimmable night light

Keep cables and lamps out of reach and away from the cot.

Check Room Temperature

A room temperature of around 16°C to 20°C is commonly recommended for baby sleep in the UK.

Consider using a room thermometer and avoid placing the cot near direct heat sources.

Ventilation

The room should be:

• Dry
• Well ventilated
• Free from mould
• Free from cigarette smoke
• Comfortable rather than overheated

Address damp or mould before the baby uses the room.

Check Paint and Decorating Materials

When decorating:

• Use products suitable for indoor use
• Follow manufacturer drying and ventilation instructions
• Allow strong smells to clear
• Keep paint and tools away from children
• Do not decorate immediately before the baby will use the room if fumes remain

Keep Wall Decorations Secure

Do not hang heavy frames, mirrors or shelves directly above the cot or changing area.

Check that all wall-mounted items are properly fixed.

Flooring

Choose flooring that is:

• Clean
• Easy to maintain
• Free from loose edges
• Suitable for floor play

Secure rugs to reduce slipping and avoid thick rugs that create trip hazards.

Prepare for Night-Time Care

Keep a small night-time station with:

• Nappies
• Wipes or cotton wool
• Spare vest and sleepsuit
• Muslin cloths
• Feeding supplies where needed
• Low lighting

This can be in the parents’ bedroom during the first months rather than the nursery.

Do Not Overfill the Room

Too much furniture can make the nursery difficult to use safely.

Leave:

• Clear walking routes
• Space to open drawers
• Room to lift the baby safely
• Access to windows and radiators
• Space for future floor play

What a Nursery Does Not Need Immediately

Many items can wait, including:

• A large toy collection
• Bookshelves full of books
• A highchair
• A toddler bed
• Large decorative storage
• Several feeding chairs
• Complex baby-monitor systems

Choose Furniture That Can Grow with the Child

Where useful, consider:

• A cot that converts to a toddler bed
• A drawer unit that can later be used without a changing top
• Neutral storage
• Adjustable shelving

Check that conversion parts and instructions are included.

Budget for the Nursery

Separate the budget into:

• Essential safety items
• Furniture
• Storage
• Decoration
• Optional accessories

Spend first on the safe sleep setup and stable furniture.

Reuse Existing Household Furniture

Existing furniture may work well if it is:

• Stable
• Secure
• Free from damage
• Anchored where appropriate
• Suitable for the intended use

An ordinary chest of drawers can often provide more useful storage than specialist nursery furniture.

Buying Nursery Furniture Preloved

Preloved furniture can reduce costs and waste.

Suitable items may include:

• Cots and cribs
• Wardrobes
• Drawer units
• Changing units
• Rocking chairs
• Storage baskets
• Bookshelves

Check Preloved Furniture Carefully

Before buying, check:

• Exact brand and model
• Instructions
• All fixings and parts
• Structural stability
• Cracks or splinters
• Paint condition
• Repairs or modifications
• Recall status

Avoid Modified Cots

Do not buy a cot that has been:

• Cut down
• Drilled
• Repainted with unknown products
• Fitted with non-original parts
• Repaired in a way that affects structure

Take Extra Care with Mattresses

The Lullaby Trust generally recommends a new mattress for each baby but recognises that this is not always possible.

If a second-hand mattress is considered, follow its current guidance. The mattress should fit correctly, remain firm and flat, have no rips, tears, water damage, damp, mould or sagging, and retain the relevant permanent label.

Read the Lullaby Trust mattress and bedding guidance.

Check UK Product Recalls

Before using nursery furniture, monitors or sleep products, check the official UK Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls database.

Babyproofing Before the Baby Is Mobile

Some babyproofing can be completed later, but early preparation may include:

• Anchoring furniture
• Securing blind cords
• Covering or managing cables
• Moving medicines and creams out of reach
• Checking window safety
• Removing unstable decorations

Review the Room as the Baby Develops

A nursery that is safe for a newborn may need changes when the baby begins:

• Rolling
• Sitting
• Crawling
• Pulling to stand
• Climbing

Lower the cot mattress according to the manufacturer’s instructions at the appropriate stage.

Nursery Items on Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and suitable preloved baby and children’s items.

Families may find cots, wardrobes, drawer units, changing furniture, chairs and storage. Check the exact model, instructions, stability, wall-anchoring requirements, all fixings, modifications, mattress size and official recalls.

Sellers pay no fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Suitable furniture can be listed at £0 as FREE instead of being thrown away, helping another local family. FREE listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Kidora does not certify furniture or sleep products. Do not list recalled, unstable, damaged, incomplete or unsafely modified products.

A Nursery Preparation Checklist

• Plan how the room will be used
• Prepare a safe sleep space
• Choose the correct mattress
• Keep the cot clear
• Position the cot away from cords and heat
• Anchor tall furniture
• Create practical storage
• Set up a safe changing area
• Use low, safe lighting
• Check temperature and ventilation
• Avoid unnecessary furniture
• Inspect preloved items carefully

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a newborn need a complete nursery?

No. The priority is a safe sleep space and basic care supplies. Many newborns sleep in the parents’ room for the first six months.

Do I need a changing table?

No. A safe floor changing mat or stable existing surface can work well if supplies are within reach and the baby is never left unattended.

Where should the cot be placed?

Keep it away from radiators, direct sunlight, windows, blind cords, curtain cords, cables and heavy wall-mounted objects.

Can nursery furniture be bought preloved?

Yes. Check the exact model, instructions, all parts, stability, damage, repairs and recall status before use.

Should I buy a used cot mattress?

Only when it is the correct size, firm, flat, clean, dry and in excellent condition with a known history. When uncertain, buy a new mattress.