The crib is the most functional piece in any nursery and also the centerpiece of the room. Here are 10 of my favorite vintage cribs that will fit any style of your baby’s nursery: rustic farmhouse, mid-century, retro, French country, and more. They have all the character and detail of original antique or vintage cribs but are modern-built so that they meet the required safety standards that we all want for our kiddos today (win, win)!
So… I’ve done a lot of crib research over the past few years, with having two pregnancies in under two years and all. I enjoyed prepping the nurseries for both of my boys (nesting is a real thing, y’all) and the cribs were a big part of the design.
My first son had a forest theme and my second had a safari theme, but both incorporated a lot of vintage and handmade details. The cribs, however, were bought new- you’ll see that both of them made it on the list below.
WHY NOT USE AN ACTUAL ANTIQUE OR VINTAGE CRIB INSTEAD OF A MODERN-BUILT ONE?
I get it – you get an antique crib handed down to you from Grandma, or maybe find a cute vintage one at a thrift store or yard sale and get the inspiration to refinish it but hold it right there!
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) makes it clear that old cribs can be dangerous.
For instance, a crib painted before 1978 could contain lead. An antique crib with slats too far apart could pose a risk of trapping the baby’s head. Drop-side rail cribs were banned after 2011. Even outdated corner posts can put a baby at risk of strangulation if their clothing gets caught.
So what’s the takeaway?
Only use cribs manufactured after 2011 that meet CSPS safety guidelines, and do not use broken or modified cribs, no matter how old they are. You can read more about CSPS’s safety guidelines here.
ARE THERE WAYS TO REPURPOSE OR UPCYCLE A VINTAGE CRIB?
Why, yes, of course!
There are tons of ways you can use an old crib (or crib parts) to create new furniture pieces or décor – whether for your baby’s nursery or other parts of your home. Cribs can be converted into daybed-style benches, dog crates, storage shelves, and even raised garden beds!
MODERN CRIBS WITH THE STYLE OF A VINTAGE CRIB
Just because you can’t use an actual vintage crib doesn’t mean there aren’t ones out there with vintage style.
Here are ten of my favorite vintage-style cribs that are currently on the market, meaning they meet current crib safety standards.
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1. LITTLE SEEDS, MONARCH HILL 3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
Of course, I’m going to start out with the two cribs that I used in my boys’ nurseries.
The first is this beauty, and I chose it because of the masculine look that the black metal provided. It also comes in bronze gold and graphite gray and was the perfect crib for my first son’s vintage forest-theme nursery. Another plus is that it converts to a toddler bed, so we won’t be replacing it for a while!
2. MACK & MILO, HIGH LITTLETON 3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
I’m expecting my second son to arrive any day now (YAY!), and this crib is waiting in his safari-themed nursery.
I tried to incorporate several vintage items in the nursery, including this repurposed rocking chair and vintage hanging basket décor. The crib gives a mid-century modern feel with its sleek design but has a softness that I love in the taupe color.
It ties everything in the room together and again, it converts to a toddler bed which means we’ll get plenty of use out of it for years to come.
3. BRATT DÉCOR, PARISIAN 9-IN-1 CRIB
Okay, so I don’t have a baby girl but if I did, this would be the crib for her nursery! I mean, c’mon – look at that canopy! I can see this crib paired with tons of vintage floral elements for a French Country style nursery that would be adorable.
4. DELTA CHILDREN, POPPY 4-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
I love the mid-century feel of these cribs – perfect for a retro nursery and the black color gives a moody vibe (yes, even nurseries can be dark, moody, and beautiful)!
5. LITTLE SEEDS, MONARCH HILL IVY METAL CRIB
Here’s another metal crib that makes a statement with its arched end rails and ball-casted finals.
This was a contender with my first kiddo before we ultimately chose #1 on this list.
6. POTTERY BARN KIDS, RORY 4-IN-1 STORAGE CRIB
This crib gets its vintage charm from the weathered finish. It’s neutral enough for a boy or girl but still has those classic details like dentil molding. Bonus – it has storage underneath!
7. LITTLE SEEDS, PIPER 2-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
Okay, so Little Seeds is really getting a lot of love from me on this post, but after researching so many crib options, they offer a lot of cribs with a vintage look at a very reasonable price. This crib is soft and feminine with the upholstery on the sides adding a nice touch.
8. DAVINCI, JENNY LIND 3-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
Jenny Lind is a style distinguished by classic wooden spindles, which you can see make up the slats of this crib. I love the natural finish of this particular crib, but it does come in nine additional finishes.
Fun fact: the style was named after a Swedish opera singer of the 19th century. The famous artist reportedly slept in a bed with turned spindles, making the style popular in her day.
My husband and his siblings used a 1980s Jenny Lind crib, which I’m sure has since been recalled. My mother-in-law was disappointed when I told her we didn’t want to use it, but maybe it can be a future upcycle project!
9. SORELLE, FARMHOUSE CLASSIC CRIB
This one is for all you farmhouse-style lovers! It’s a solid pine crib with shiplap-style sides and a weathered white finish – perfect for a rustic farmhouse nursery.
10. SUITE BEBE CONNELLY 4-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
This crib has a more modern shape, but it’s the finishes of the wood that give it an old-fashioned, rustic feel. The color is midnight blue with vintage walnut, which is beautiful and earthy.
Check out that matching changing table, too, with the same vintage walnut wood finish.
11. WEST ELM, MID-CENTURY 4-IN-1 CONVERTIBLE CRIB
This crib is a little on the pricier side compared to some of my other choices for this list, but Holy Mid-Century Vibes!
This “Acorn” finish is made of solid sap gum and eucalyptus woods with acacia veneers. It reminds me of the 1960s California Beach style and would look amazing paired with eclectic boho décor like mixed patterns and indoor plants.
Bonus – with a convert kit, this will grow with your kiddo all the way into a full-size bed.
12. MACK & MILO, AHMETLI MINI PORTABLE CRIB WITH MATTRESS
I couldn’t forget about the mini-crib! This one is portable with wheels, making it handy if you need to travel, set up an extra crib at the sitter’s house, or move it from room to room in your own home. It still has the classic black metal frame that I love with the addition of arched side panels. Check out all the other finishes, too.
So, there are my top 10 choices for vintage cribs (that aren’t really vintage). If you want to see more about how I designed my boys’ nurseries and the end results, go ahead and subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss those articles!
