6 min read
Let’s find the new best seat in your house. One that you’ll be sitting in from morning wake ups to late night feedings—a nursery chair. And not any old chair will do! We think long and hard when we design these chairs. “My favorite thing about designing nursery seating is knowing how much it will be used and how critical our work is to ensure that parents have both the most stylish and comfortable seating,” says Melodie Froment, head of Crate & Kids product design. “We want to make sure that parents feel good during those many, many, many hours that will be spent in them—be it nursing, reading books or rocking them to sleep.” But how do you know which chair is just right? We’re here to help!
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nursery power recliners
First up is a nursery power recliner: The name gives away its biggest feature—it reclines automatically! With just a touch of a button it tilts back, which is ideal when you are nursing, bottle feeding, reading or any other activity where you might have just one free hand. (Because it’s so often used while holding sleeping babies, we’ve made sure our power recliners are extra quiet!) But not only does it recline, it also gives you the option to kick up your feet with its built in footrest. These chairs are stationary (meaning they don’t glide, rock, or swivel) which works well in larger spots.
But beyond the functional features, the power recliner is all about getting cozy. “We design power recliners to be the ultimate comfort space for those sleepless nights,” says Sam Tubergen, Crate & Kids furniture designer.
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nursery swivel glider chairs
Want some movement? Try out a nursery glider chair, which moves back and forth along a fixed track. There are ones that are powered by a push button or your own movement. However, unlike a rocking chair, gliders remain at a level height so there is a smaller range of motion to give you and baby a smooth, silent ride. Gliders also may have a swivel base, which will also allow you to turn in a full circle. A glider’s movement is great when it comes to helping your little one drift back to sleep or comforting their fuss with a bit of movement.
“Swivel gliders are perfect for people who are looking for more style-forward designs, or have limited space,” notes Sam. Since gliders don’t recline, they are perfect for smaller spaces. Our favorite tip: grab an ottoman and kick your feet up!
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nursery rocking chairs
The OG of nursery chairs, nursery rocking chairs have come a long way from your grandma’s days. They still have the greatest range of motion, providing a back and forth movement thanks to their arched runners (or feet). This swaying sensation, which is activated by a subtle shift of your weight, has been long-used to help calm fussy babies and encourage sleep. But maybe more exciting is that they now also come up big in style and comfort too with plush, upholstered seats and modern designs.
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ottomans
While not exactly a chair, a nursery ottoman is a chair add-on that you don’t want to miss—especially if you opt for a glider or rocking chair. Since these chairs don’t have a footrest, you may want to get an ottoman so that you have an option to put your feet up when you are sitting with baby. While it’s not essential, it can help you get more comfortable. The bonus: the ottoman can be used down the line as a small seat in the nursery or another room. Some ottoman’s even open to allow extra toy storage.
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our top 5 tips for choosing a nursery chair
Ready to shop? Check out our tip for finding the best fit.
1. Measure the Nursery
Before you start shopping, start measuring! Each type of nursery chair and design will require a different amount of room. You’ll need to take into account the size of the chair but also the size when it is fully reclined with its footrest out, when it rocks, and if you are adding an ottoman. But you also want to consider the other pieces of furniture in the room to make sure it is not too close to them. Need layout help? Our design desk pros can help you plan out your nursery for free!
2. Consider Ease of Care
While you want your nursery chair to look great in the space, you also have to remember that life happens. And with a baby, it’s almost always when you least expect it. Options like performance fabric and slipcovers are great for nursery chairs because they are easy to clean and keep the chair looking like new. And while we often think of whites as off-limits for babies, lighter neutrals can actually be great for hiding milk spills and spit up.
3. Go for Comfort
You are going to spend countless hours in this nursery chair, so make sure it’s comfortable! “Function is really important—we make sure the arm heights are ideal for nursing and the seat is comfortable, but not too difficult to get out of while holding a baby,” says Sam. Other things to consider include what head support you would like and if you want it to recline or use an ottoman.
4. Research Material
Which material is right for you? We offer a range of fabric that include leather, chenille, boucle, velvet and linen. But beyond the seat, you may want a chair that is made with FSC®-certified wood, which is sustainable wood from forests certified to be responsibly managed, environmentally sound and socially beneficial. You can also choose a nursery chair that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means it has screened for more than 10,000 chemicals and emissions, contributing to cleaner air in your home.
5. Consider Longevity
The days are long, but the years are short. So think about a chair that lives beyond the nursery.
“When I start designing nursery seating, I want the piece to function perfectly for new parents, being comfortable enough to spend those sleepless nights in, but also styled in a way that the chair can live on after the nursery in other areas of the home,” says Sam.
