TOP FIVE: cot beds

By Christine Samuelian

AS ANY NEW parent will attest, the biggest challenge is to get your baby to sleep. At all. To make things easier (at least psychologically) it’s worth investing in a beautiful cot or cotbed, preferably one that grows with the child. Plus, with the bed most likely being the biggest lump of furniture in the baby’s room, it’s wise to buy stylishly.

Best for value: IKEA’s Leksvig cot is simple in design and construction but will fit into both modern houses and well as more ornate ones. One side of the bed can be removed when the child is ready to climb in and out on his/her own. And, as with everything at IKEA, the price is more than fair. £73.40. www.ikea.com

Best for quirky design: Spanish company Ninetonine has some of the most beautifully designed and best quality products around. The Zebra 00 bed is a perfect example, (shown here in its daybed incarnation), with its slightly wonky bars and compact size. Ninetonine is a partner of www.tree-nation.com and if you buy a bed or a changing table, Ninetonine will plant a tree in the your child’s name. From Euros1,034. www.kidslovedesign.com (Another Zebra version is available from Kidslovedesign and www.nubie.co.uk)

Best for small spaces: Trust the Scandinavians (Norwegians in this case) to create a classic piece of furniture like the Stokke Sleepi cot, a cozy oval nest for babies that takes up as little space as they do. What starts off as a ‘mini bassinet’ can expand as the child grows, turning into a full size crib then toddler bed. £450, see www.stokke.com for stockists.

Best for colour: Brio’s Sleep cotbed comes in a sunny shade of yellow (and white for those whose eyes can’t quite cope) and is as versatile a bed as they come. It easily transforms into a junior bed so children can use it until they are five or six years old. And, as with all things Swedish and design, it looks amazing and the quality is guaranteed. £199, www.lulasapphire.com. For international stockists see www.brio.net

Best for longevity: Children in Denmark are treated like royalty and their parents take interior design very seriously. Danish company Sebra has created what every design-conscious mum and dad will love - a totally and utterly gorgeous bed called Kili. Made of sturdy birch, the Kili can be lengthened and the sides taken off, thereby making it unnecessary to buy a big kid bed until at least the age of seven. Also available in white, pictured top. 950 Euros www.kidslovedesign.com