I am quite particular about my surroundings. It’s not that I’m a germaphobe, I just like things to look nice. Quite simply – it makes me that little bit happier.
As a mum, I’ve struggled with the idea of entirely sacrificing my carefully curated home in favour of plastic toys and jungle themed paraphernalia. Of course I’m keen for Caspar to experience shapes/colours/textures etc, but I believe this can be done by and large through books, toys, sensory classes and simply getting out and about. That said, I’ve really struggled to find things that we have actually needed in the house (high chairs, bouncers, playmats etc) that are visually appealing – so much of what I find in British shops is covered in brightly coloured cartoon imagery. The US, Australia and Scandinavia seem to do a better job – brands such as The Land of Nod, The Honest Company and Stokke do parent and baby friendly designs beautifully.
So here are a few items I’ve found that I personally feel strike the balance between being visually appealing, practical and (somewhat) affordable, a few of which I own and some of which I covet:
- Mamas and Papas Stargaze Play Mat & Gym
Caspar has enjoyed using this play mat daily from just a few weeks old. It offers sounds, a colourful light display and a multitude of textures perfect for tummy time, all in a pleasing palette of yellow, grey and purple. - Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
Available in a whole range of colours, the Tripp Trapp is Norwegian design at it’s best. We are just on the cusp of weaning, so although I can’t attest to it’s practicality just yet, our all-white version fits effortlessly into our modern kitchen. - Sebra Interior Play Gym
I would pair this wooden baby gym with a sheepskin rug underneath for a super soft and gorgeous looking play area. - Snuzpod Bedside Crib
Although Caspar has now sadly grown out of his, this lovely crib offered us safe co-sleeping and a compact design for our small bedroom for several months. - Mamas and Papas Buzz Bouncer
We actually have a version of this with more features, but I think the basic premise of an ergonomic chair with an activity arc is all baby needs from a bouncer, so why spend more? - My Babiie Changing Mat
We keep two changing mats in the house, one downstairs and one up, and as much as I would like them to be neatly tucked out of sight, in reality most of the time they can be found adorning our bed or sitting room floor, so it’s worth choosing one that looks as good as this.
Do you know of any (ideally affordable) brands available in the UK that offer practical yet aesthetically appealing baby kit? Please do share with us!
OUT OF LUXE 