When it comes to interior decoration, knowing where to spend and where to skimp is almost as important as having an eye for design. Statement pieces such as an original Banksy or a handcrafted dining room table will never go out of style and are worthy investments. On the contrary, items which are destined for a life of heavy use, or staple pieces which you’re just as likely to find next door in your neighbor’s house as you are your own home, should not be purchased in the same manner. To get you started in this mindset, I’ll highlight some timeless classics from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ethan Allen, and West Elm, and tell you how to recreate the look in your own home – at a fraction of the cost. Splurge: Pottery Barn’s Slipcover made to fit a small sofa can easily cost $700. Steal: The Sure Fit Slipcover, priced at a more budget-friendly $120. Splurge: Pottery Barn’s Leather Arm Chair will set you back at $900. Steal: At Grandin Road, you can get away with spending a much more sensible $300.
Splurge: This classic round end table from Ethan Allen costs $1800. Steal: You can use a small dinette table to achieve the same look found at Target for $170. Splurge: The large Ginger Jar makes a bold statement as an accent piece for $400. Splurge: These framed maps from Restoration Hardware sell for $1300 apiece. which offers similar unframed Giclee map prints for $180 each. Splurge: Restoration Hardware’s Pharmacy Lamp costs $780. Steal: Purchased from Lamps Plus, a similar domed shaped lamp costs just $106. Splurge: West Elm’s floating floor mirrors will cost around $400. Steal: A similar style floor mirror is just $119 at World Market. As you can see, a designer look is attainable without the designer price tag. Take photos of your favorite furnishings to local discount stores, flea markets and antique shows to search out these looks in person. Online, Target and Home Goods are great sources for trendy looks that rotate seasonally.
It’s 2 a.m. and you look through bleary eyes at your wee one wedged against you, on the brink of nodding off. Sleep will come soon, but for now there’s you and your baby, warm and cozy, slowly rocking in the deep quiet of night. For centuries, moms have used a rocking chair to soothe babies to sleep and share special snuggles. These days the traditional rocker has a major competitor: the glider. Instead of rocking in an arc-like of motion, the glider has a fluid back-and-forth slide and requires less effort to keep the momentum going (good for those half-awake nights). Gliders and rocking chairs are niceties, not necessities. A glider in the nursery is the perfect spot to cuddle, feed and read to your little one. You could certainly curl up on the couch or on a traditional chair too, but you’d miss out on the rhythmic motion, which simulates being in the womb and helps babies settle into sleep. Which glider is dreamiest depends on your family’s budget, space and decor.
To start, take a look at these options that received the highest ratings from BabyList parents. Reasonably PricedStorkcraft Hoop Glider ProductWHY WE LOVE IT With a classic, rocking chair look, the Storkcraft does one better than old-timey finds. You’ll get plush seat and back cushions, padded arms, and a smooth motion. Don’t expect this chair to last, because while it’s super affordable it’s not the most durable. Tip: Don’t screw it together too tight or it’ll make a creaking noise. WHAT BABYLIST PARENTS SAY “It has side pockets to store a book or tablet. I would stash a water bottle in one side during nursings and a book in the other.” -Adriana “The glider we have is absolutely wonderful. The lumbar pillow is a dream and is very comfortable. It’s very easy to get in and out of the glider with a baby in arms and there are no issues whatsoever. The price is the icing on the cake for this glider because we only spent around $200 at the time on it.” -Elizabeth
Comes With an OttomanDutailer Ultramotion GliderWHY WE LOVE IT In one word: the ottoman. The Ultramotion’s price includes the glider and gliding ottoman (so nothing messes with your sleepy-time rhythm). It’s a godsend for weary moms who just need to put their feet up. Having an ottoman or footstool makes breastfeeding easier too. Plus, this glider has a solid maple frame that should hold up for years. This wooden glider might not be as comfortable to snuggle in when your baby grows bigger (versus an oversized, upholstered glider).So comfortable for those late nights and early mornings when he was an infant.” -Denelle Cushy ArmchairLittle Castle Glider ProductWHY WE LOVE IT Plush upholstery, a bunch of different styles and fabrics to choose from, and a 360-degree swivel, all make this glider a favorite among BabyList parents. It’s five-inch-thick, seat cushion means you can rack up a lot of rocking hours without losing any fluff. Little Castle basic glider models don’t recline or have a footrest, but for $200 more you can get a both in their higher-end versions.
You can also purchase the basic model’s coordinating ottoman. “This is one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever had - great purchase!” -Maureen 360° MovementMadison Swivel GliderWHY WE LOVE IT This chair has built in 360° swivel action, so it’s great when you need to reach for the shelf or plug in your phone or turn to talk to another child. And it is oh-so-comfortable and stylish enough to live in your living room not just the nursery Some parents lament that it does not have enough head support so you may need an extra pillow for long nursing sessions or cuddle fests. “It was affordable and more sophisticated-looking than other options” -Hillary “Very comfortable, small size is great for smaller rooms, and microfiber makes it easy to clean” - Lisa A Relaxing ReclinerBest Chairs Kersey Upholstered Swivel Glider Recliner ProductWHY WE LOVE IT The mack daddy of gliders, this upholstered chair swivels, glides, reclines (hello naptime!), and has a pop-out footrest.
Perfect for nurseries where there’s just not enough space for both a chair and an ottoman. If you are less than 5 foot-6-inches tall, your feet might not touch the ground when sitting in this chair, which would make it impossible for you to glide. “It is more like a sofa chair. Very plush and comfy.” -Paula Timeless StylePottery Barn Kids Merced GliderWHY WE LOVE IT Pottery Barn took the comfy, club chair we’ve been yearning for our whole lives and turned it into a glider. Made from water repellent and fade-resistant fabric, the Merced also swivels. Given the price, we’d love to see this chair recline. But alas, it doesn’t.Can’t count the hours logged in this over three kids and two-and-a-half years. So glad we invested in such a great one.” -Caroline Now that you’ve had a chance to review some of the gliders out there, you probably have in mind what matters most to you when it comes to balancing cost, comfort, quality and style. Obviously, comfort is key when it comes to any nursery chair, but we’d also encourage you to consider how easy the fabric is to clean (yes, there will be spit up and spills).