Best Cribs for Small Nurseries and City Apartments

Big ideas for small nurseries.

Short answer: in a small nursery, choose a crib with clean, simple lines, sides that look good from every angle, and a plan for the big-kid stage that won't crowd the room. From Romina, the New York Crib ($1,440) was designed "about the busy big city lifestyle, fit for small spaces with big ideas". The Cleopatra Classic Crib ($1,725) has symmetrical sides, so it can sit in the middle of a room or against any wall. For later, a Low-Profile Footboard or a twin bed keeps a small bedroom open.

What should I look for in a crib for a small room?

Every full-size crib takes a standard crib mattress (at least 27 1/4 × 51 5/8 inches), so the footprint differences are a matter of inches. What changes how a small room feels is:

• Visual weight. Straight, slim lines and lighter finishes make a crib look smaller.
• Placement flexibility. A crib that looks finished on all sides can go wherever the room allows, not only against a wall.
• Storage that does two jobs. A dresser that's also a changing table saves a whole piece of furniture.
• The next stage. A full-size bed with a tall footboard can dominate a small room. Plan the conversion now.

Which Romina cribs work best in small spaces?

Shop the guide: cribs for smaller rooms

• New York Crib: $1,440. Mid-century lines, built for "small spaces with big ideas". Converts to a daybed and toddler bed; three mattress heights; one finish or two-tone.
• Cleopatra Classic Crib: $1,725. Symmetrical side panels, so it can sit in the centre of the room or anywhere you choose as a focal point. Converts to a toddler bed.
• Uptown Classic Crib: $1,560. Romina's modern oak design "for smaller spaces with big ideas or larger rooms with big personality". Converts to a daybed and toddler bed.
• New York 5-in-1 Crib: $1,865. The convertible version, if you want the crib to become a full-size bed later.

All four are made in Europe from 100% solid hardwood, have three mattress heights, and are Greenguard Gold certified.

Should I buy a classic crib or a convertible in a small apartment?

It depends on what the room will become.

• Classic crib (New York Crib, Cleopatra Classic, Uptown Classic): best if the nursery will later be a small child's room with a twin bed, or if you'll move before your child outgrows the crib. It stops at the toddler bed, then you move on.
• Convertible crib (New York 5-in-1 and others): best if the room can take a full-size bed later. The crib's headboard and footboard become the bed, with a $530 conversion kit.

Romina's convertible cribs move through five official stages: Standard Crib (0–24 months), Toddler Bed and Daybed (24 months–4 years), then Full Size Bed and Customised Full Size Bed (4 years to forever).

How do I keep the full-size bed from crowding a small room?

Use a Low-Profile Footboard. Romina designed it because "when converted to full bed, the crib footboard may be a bit higher especially for smaller rooms." The low footboard "is an excellent solution to open up the space and allow bed access from all sides." That's Romina's Customised Full Size Bed stage.

Shop the guide: low-profile footboards

• New York Low-Profile Footboard: $530.
• Karisma Low-profile Footboard: $504.
• All low-profile footboards

Is a twin bed better than a full in a small kid's room?

Often, yes. A twin leaves more floor for play. Several Romina twin beds were designed with small rooms in mind:

• Cleopatra Twin Bed ($1,725): "the perfect solution for those small rooms with big design ideas", with a solid panel headboard and a low-profile footboard for access from all sides.
• Antonio Twin Bed ($1,725): "the perfect dose of style for those small(er) rooms with big design."
• Imperio Twin Bed ($1,640): solid panel headboard and low-profile footboard.
• Uptown Twin Bed ($1,780): "a great choice for the small bedrooms, active teenagers or even a guest room."

If you prefer a full, the New York Full Bed ($1,865) offers an optional under-bed storage system with three drawers on one or both sides, so the bed doubles as a dresser.

How do I fit storage into a small nursery?

• Use the dresser as the changing table. Romina's double dressers work as changing stations with the Adjustable Changing Tray ($385), which attaches to the top with the supplied hardware. Confirm the dresser and tray dimensions before you order.
• Go up, not out. A bookcase or a hutch on top of the dresser uses wall height instead of floor space. The New York Bookcase ($1,780) works for clothing as well as books.
• Anchor everything. In a small room, furniture is closer to the crib and easier to climb. Every Romina case good includes a three-way wall-anchoring kit for brick, drywall or wood walls.

Small-room layout tips

1. Keep the crib away from windows, blinds and cords, and away from radiators.
2. Leave a clear path from the door to the crib for night feeds.
3. Pick one statement piece. In a small room, let either the crib or the dresser be the focal point, not both.
4. Choose lighter finishes if the room is dark. Solid White, Washed White and Albero Puro are among Romina's 13 finishes.

Browse: New York Collection · Classic cribs · Twin beds · Low-profile footboards

FAQ

Which Romina crib is best for a small nursery?

The New York Crib, which Romina designed to be "fit for small spaces with big ideas". The Cleopatra Classic is a good choice if the crib needs to sit in the middle of the room.

Are smaller cribs safe?

Full-size cribs sold in the US must meet the same CPSC rules. Every Romina crib takes a standard crib mattress of at least 27 1/4 × 51 5/8 inches.

Can a convertible crib work in a small room?

Yes, if you plan for the Low-Profile Footboard at the full-bed stage. It opens the room and allows access from all sides.

What's the cheapest Romina crib for an apartment?

The New York Crib, at $1,440.

Do Romina dressers need to be anchored?

Yes. Every Romina case good ships with a three-way wall-anchoring kit, and Romina recommends using it.

Related guide: Mid-Century Modern Nursery: New York vs Uptown