Nursery

Parents have discovered that often the most practical nursery sets are those flexible enough to grow with their child.

These convertible nursery sets deliver a high value for Mom and Dad's budget when you consider that they are functional long after baby has outgrown a crib and no longer needs a changing table. Fortunately, there are many options available when shopping for a nursery furniture set that will grow with your child.

Preparing a new room for baby is always challenging, but especially so if you are living in a small space. Here are some tips for carving out some special spaces for baby in your home.

Planning to decorate your baby's nursery? Don't forget the toys. Baby nursery toys come in every color, shape, size and style and can fit most every design theme. Unique and visually interesting toys not only add to the nursery's decor. They can also stimulate your baby's imagination.

Here are a few suggestions for nursery toys that can add visual interest to your baby's room, from science and nature to princesses and stuffed animal favorites.

Decorating you baby boy's room can be a lot of fun. But think beyond the crib bedding and get creative – simple touches can make all the difference in creating a beautiful nursery for your little one.

If you are starting with a blank slate, take a look at HGTV's nursery photo gallery or Google Images Boys' Nurseries. Design Dazzle also has a number of ideas that you can incorporate into your baby boy bedding. Through these venues you can see everything that one could imagine for a nursery. Take a look at the details – sure, the bedding is important, but what about the wall decorations or the window treatments? Did they do anything creative with the lighting? How are chair rails incorporated?

Let's be honest: from a style perspective, baby cribs are not really for the baby. Parents may try and project a style onto their babies, but baby isn't going to care about his room for a few years -- around the time he discovers Spiderman and decides that the tasteful decor you picked out isn't really his style. Make the most of those first couple of years when you can dictate your kid's taste, even if it's not traditional nursery decor, by choosing baby cribs grownups will love, too.

Here are five baby cribs that are so cool, grownups won't want to hide them away in the nursery:

The Alex

A combination of bright color and modern style, the Alex Crib by ducduc is pop art for new parents. Optional vinyl lettering can be added to the shiny laquered surface with the words "fragile," "girl," "boy," "this end up," or "bambino" -- or order custom text for $50, for one-of-a-kind baby cribs. Grownups will love the color options, including blue, orange, navy, pink and red, or choose an all white version. This cool crib will set you back $1,295. You might want to invest in the optional toddler conversion kit to get the most out of it.

Cardboard Cot

"Green" parents with an eco-friendly, simple style may find the Cardboard Cot baby crib from the ADF Design Collection appealing. It's just what its name says it is: a baby crib made from brown cardboard, a stylish biodegradable piece of functional furniture. Keep it plain and simple, or customize it any way you like with paint. It comes with a mattress, plus wheels so it can be moved easily from room to room. The cost is a bit more than a plain cardboard box, at about $250, plus shipping. Little Fashion Gallery, based in France, will ship worldwide.

Chelsea Sleigh

If unfinished cardboard is way too plain for you, check out the glam Chelsea Sleigh Crib by Bratt Decor. The silver finish version of this hardwood baby crib is like a space-age Victorian rocket-sleigh that fashion-forward grownups will love. The Espresso and Buttermilk finishes are more modest, but no less stylish. The Chelsea Sleigh baby crib can be purchased from Baby Earth for $1,452 -- toddler bed conversion kit available.

Oeuf Sparrow

With a modern design for the minimalist aesthetic, the Oeuf Sparrow solid birch baby cribs grownups will love come in muted colors, including a fashionable shade of gray that's not often seen in baby furniture. The Oeuf company also commits to eco-friendly manufacturing--the wood waste from making the furniture is recycled into fuel for their own manufacturing warehouse, among other practices. This tasteful piece is available from Modern Nursery for $690, including shipping.

Alma Mini

Perfect for families living in small spaces, the Alma Mini baby crib takes up less room than a standard crib and folds up for storage when not in use or for easy portability. Convenience and functionality are all well and good, but the Alma Mini is also a beautiful piece with a clean design that is as sophisticated as it is whimsical. Colors include Gala Green, Giggle Orange, Cappuccino, Frost Gray and Coconut White. Available exclusively from Giggle for $400.