Petite Fit Furniture

So many people think you’re lucky being petite that you have no problem finding trousers that are long enough or boyfriends who are taller and rarely have to stoop. But with it comes a whole long list of opposing problems in a world built for an ever taller nation. Looking for nursery furniture is no different.

The key problem I found was that all baby changers seem to be built for what I felt were 10 foot giants. I really had to stretch up to them and trawled many a website checking stats looking for something that wasn’t so high as everything I had seen in shops. No such luck.

Equally I had problems finding solid children’s chest of drawers. Everything seemed to be so flimsy – either MDF or that bendy fibreboard and plastic coating. As I struggled to find anything attractive at a good price that I felt would last through the first few years, I decided to paint what I had in the room already. These were pretty hideously varnished in a dark hue yet perfectly functional wooden chests of drawers that I inherited with my flat. Luckily I had not got around to disposing of them.

I then solved the baby changer problem by refreshing a white babychanger which had come atop a cot – painting it the same colour white. It sits on top of the chests of drawers perfectly and is the ideal height for me. The trick is finding an old mini chest of drawers rather than the large modern, higher ones which are on sale these days. Second hand shops are most likely the best bet. I have a fabulous one just around the corner from me – Eccles Road Antiques and there is also the wonderful Northcote Road Antiques market.

Equally, I was looking for a mini wardrobe to fit in the nursery which has a slanty ceiling on two sides, being on the corner and end of terrace. Plus I wanted to easily be able to reach the rails and any shelves inside. Checking all the dimensions, I found one that fits from Argos, which has two handy drawers for storage as well as the hanging space well within reach. I much prefer the drawers underneath as opposed to the shelves above the hanging space which I feel are more easily accessible.