The Designer Baby Bedding Dilemma:
Store Reviews to Help You Choose

Can we all just admit it? Can we all just fess up to the fact that picking out baby bedding is one of the major perks of having a baby?

Since my babies are all several years apart, I've made it a tradition to pick out a new bedding set with each child.

(Besides...my kids are pretty rough with their designer baby bedding sets. It ain't pretty. Slobber stains everywhere.)

Now, granted, with my first baby, when things were particularly tough, that "new set" came through a massive clearance sale and extra coupon codes...but who cares?

It's possible to avoid paying "designer" costs for your designer baby bedding and no one needs to know. On the other hand, if you can afford not to scrimp on quality, there are some pretty amazing (and expensive) designer baby bedding sets out there to choose from.

Now that my third baby is growing away inside, I'm on the prowl for a new set. Here are several stores I've turned to in the past, and some new one's I'm contemplating for my next "collection".

If you're just beginning to set up your nursery, make sure to review my tips to make your baby's bedroom the safest place in your house. After all, it's the one place in your entire house where he will spend a significant amount of unsupervised time!

Personally, I recommend ordering your bedding near the beginning of your last trimester (if not earlier). Not only will this give the set time to arrive, if your little one decides he's through with your uterus and comes out early, you won't be left scrambling for bedding.

Side Note: Many of the bedding pictures in these boutiques show cribs with their side panels removed. This is just to showcase the bedding, and is not a recommendation of use! Also keep in mind that what you see is not always what you get. Read the bedding descriptions to see what's included in the standard price and what you have to pay extra for.

A Word About Ratings...

Things You'll Love

{Caden Lane "Ryan"}

Their hassle free return policy gives you 30 days to decide for sure that this is the set for you. They also offer free fabric swatches so you can easily shop for paint and other accessories that won't clash with the rest of the nursery. Also, most of their bedding sets ship for free!

The bedding at Baby Brown's is higher end, so you check for coupons if you're trying to watch costs. Or, if you've got some money to burn, go straight to shopping.

Designers and Brands

Organics Are Available.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Pay close attention to fabrics when you're choosing your set. Although silk may sound nice, remember these will be spit up on, leaked over, and drenched with drool. Either be okay with new dry cleaning costs, or choose something you can wash at home.

In all, you can't go wrong shopping at Baby Brown's for your designer baby bedding. In fact, it is one of the things they are most well-known for. It's an easy 5-out-of-5 rating.

Things You'll Love

{Bowron Sheepskin}

If your baby has sensitive skin, or if you prefer to have an all-natural nursery, the organic crib sheets will be your lifesaver. Besides bedding, they also have safe co-sleepers and organic mattresses, things that are relatively hard to find.

To check on any outstanding coupons for Baby Because, click here. Otherwise, go straight to shopping.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

However, the sheepskin floor blankets and Taggies blankets (also for floor use) are unique to Baby Because. I found that Baby Because was a mile wide, but only an inch thick in many areas (including in the area of baby bedding). I counted 21 bedding products to choose from.

Although the quality is top-notch, the limitation of choices has forced a 3 out of 5 rating in the area of crib bedding.

Things You'll Love

{Mariposa}

So, if you want to have an "ocean" or "jungle" theme, shopping at Baby Catalog is a good start to your search. Prices are very reasonable, and it's not uncommon for them to have free shipping coupons or other offers.

If you're not interested in the coupons, click here to go directly to Baby Catalog.

Designers and Brands

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

As for the bedding, they tout three designers, but really only two have any selection. (The third, JJ Cole, had only 1 set listed as of this writing.) Again, if you like characters and themes, you'll love what they have to offer. If you prefer patterns (rather than pictures) you're better off searching elsewhere.

In all, it's a great bedding site. Is the bedding as designer as at other sites? No. But I highly recommend visiting anyway.

Things You'll Love

{Babylicious Island Modern}

Also unique to Baby Earth, they have the first bumper-free designed crib set I've seen. Many parents are wary about putting bumpers on their crib sets. If that's you, the "Babylicious Island" set provides a similiar style, bumper-free. I've pictured it here.

Check for Baby Earth coupons and sales for extra savings or go straight to their nursery department by clicking here.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Things You'll Love

{MiGi Alphabet}

Girls, boys, unisex, modern, traditional...the layout makes searching so much easier. Instead of hundreds on a single page to thumb through, each section has a handful, according to that category.

Some sets are custom-made according to your order, so double check before placing your order. Those labeled "custom" will not be available for rush shipping. (See my suggestion at the top of this page about when to order your crib sets.)

Designers and Brands

Organics are available. Large selection of modern and vintage crib bedding for boys, girls and unisex.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

On the other hand, you could forget about the coupons altogether and start browsing at Bunnybury Baby right away.

Things You'll Love

{Flowers}

You can request free fabric swatches from most of the bedding sets they sell. If you already have a painted nursery, or have other items (like a chair) you need to match, these swatches are a godsend. No more having to buy and return several times while you search for the best match.

Besides looking around at sets, their website has given me nursery decorating ideas as well. Most sets are displayed in a nursery setting, and I love "stealing" their trendy and beautiful designs. Click here to peek at their beautiful crib bedding sets.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available. They specialize in custom-made baby bedding and have a wide variety of modern and vintage sets to choose from. (The vintage cowboy set (Lil' Hoss) by Artisan's Collection is particularly adorable.)

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

If you can afford it, the designer baby bedding at Dimples and Dandelions is definitely top-notch, definitely designer.

Things You'll Love

The filter purifies the air, while the fan gently pushes the air up through the mesh surface and removes exhaled carbon dioxide from around your baby's face, which is particularly important if your baby prefers to sleep on her tummy. (And one of the suspect causes of SIDS.)

The mattress also removes allergens and other irritants from the air. Naturally, it's not going to feel like a standard mattress. However, doctor's recommend hard mattresses for babies, so don't be tricked into thinking your infant needs something "more comfortable". Safety first!

I know that this isn't designer baby bedding, but it is such a great product, found in such few places, that I thought it warranted a mention. It's a little more expensive than a normal mattress, so check here for coupons. Not sure if you're interested? Visit their site here (click on "Nursery") to look at it more closely.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Things You'll Love

{Rose Garden}

Are you handy with a sewing machine? GiggleBrush Designs has fabric by the yard available for purchase. Save money by making your own window treatments, accent pillows (for chairs, not inside the crib!), or the entire crib set itself.

Prices range from $140 to over $1000. You're almost guaranteed to find a price that fits your budget.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available. They have one of the most extensive collections of New Arrival Brand bedding sets I've seen on the web. Favorites like "Sock Monkey," "Wynken, Blynken and Nod," "Under the Big Top" can all be found here.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

There were a few sets I saw at Dimples and Dandelions for less. However, they don't completely over-lap, so looking around is still worth your while.

Things You'll Love

{All Creatures Great and Small}

They have a healthy mixture of picture- and pattern-focused prints. I especially like that their picture-based prints are not overly commercialized. (I'm not a fan of Disney-themed crib sets. I promise, you won't find those here...)

Unlike many other bedding boutiques, Land of Nod sells each item separately. This allows you to choose the exact items you want and leave the rest. This is especially helpful for mothers on a strict baby budget!

Stretch that budget even further with coupon codes. Or, go directly to look around The Land of Nod.

Designers and Brands

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

They also very cost-effective. You can pick and choose which pieces you can afford at that moment and add the rest of the pieces later (if ever). This flexibility brings Land of Nod up to 5 stars.

Things You'll Love

{Nava's Designs "Secrets"}

They also have a "Price Match Guarantee" on all final prices (even after rebates). If you purchase an item at My Strollers and see a better price somewhere else, within 2 weeks, let them know and they'll refund you the difference.

This level of customer care is becoming increasingly rare. Needless to say, they've managed to impress me.

Designers and Brands

Organic bedding is available.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Browse through the bedding brands at My Strollers.

{Zen Baby}

Things You'll Love

Many sets include a variety of textures as well. For example, the "Zen Baby" set (pictured here) has faux suede, appliques, embroidery, and ribbons for a variety of fun surfaces for your baby to explore.

Feel free to check here for any recent coupon or free shipping codes, or go straight to the store to look around.

Designers and Brands

Organics are available through Nature's Purest.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

However, if you like your nursery to be interesting with trucks, animals, or flowers, they have a great selection of designs that I've not seen at other stores. This selection of unique bedding awards One Step Ahead full marks in designer baby bedding.

{Gypsy Baby}

Things You'll Love

Designers and Brands

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Expect to pay more for the bedding here than at other non designer baby bedding stores. You're purchasing double-stitched bedding with top-notch fabrics and individually-designed patterns. Those extra perks cost extra!

If money is tight these days, check here for Pink Taffy coupons. Or, click here to see their selection and start saving!

Things You'll Love

{Whistle and Wink "Night Owl"}

I've looked at a lot of bedding in researching for this article, and I must confess that I found their selection to be fresh and one-of-a-kind. I was impressed with the "Retro Sock Monkey" design, awed by the bedding sets designed specifically for round cribs (something generally hard to find), and flabbergasted at the sheer volume of choices available (over 250!). Amazing toile, soft chenille, fabrics that wish the bedding was yours!

I'm not even ashamed to admit that I looked through all 14 pages. It was way too much fun, and even harder to choose a favorite. And did I mention that all the bedding ships for free?

Designers and Brands

Organics are available. They also have a large variety of round baby bedding for circular cribs.

"A Beautiful Thing is Never Perfect"

Once in a while, Posh Tots offers some valuable coupons worth using. Otherwise, you can feel free to browse around by clicking here.

Posh Tots is, well, posh. Their prices reflect that. If you go in expecting to see high-end products with high-end prices, you won't keel over when you see price tags in the $500 - $1200 range. If those prices don't make you break out in a cold sweat, I highly recommend looking around.

Their unique bedding sets almost guarantee you'll be happy with what you find.

If you've enjoyed this article found it helpful, I've written a similiar article reviewing some of the top baby clothing boutiques on the web. You can see these clothing store reviews here.

I just want to remind you: Not buying the most expensive set isn't going to communicate a lack of love to your baby. My first crib set came from a second-hand shop. Lauren feels just as loved as Elena. Your baby will have no clue what she's drooling on, so don't break your budget in order to buy "the best".

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