Whether you’re using hand-me-downs, buying used, or purchasing new furniture for your child’s nursery, it can be challenging to find matching items, especially when it comes to colors. Painting your baby’s crib and other nursery furniture can help, not only to create a matched set, but also to add some color and style to the room.
Regular paints are not going to do the job, though. You’ll need furniture paint that is safe for your child, especially since little ones tend to chew on the sides of their cribs. That’s why I’ve created this list of the 7 best paints for baby cribs, all of which are entirely safe to use for this project.
[ez-toc]7 Best Paints for Baby Cribs (2021 Reviews)
1. Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint by Renaissance
(Easiest to use — $$)
Why it’s great: This chalk paint is one of the most user-friendly options. It doesn’t require sanding or priming the crib in advance and usually only takes 1-2 coats to get full coverage. A little goes a long way, so you won’t need as much. Plus, it only takes about 30 minutes to dry. This paint is eco-friendly, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, odorless, and has zero VOCs, making it the perfect choice for your baby’s furniture. It also comes in 43 different colors, so you’re sure to find one that you love. The chalk finish will give your child’s crib a stylish look and is very durable.
Keep in mind: Make sure you test out the paint, as the colors don’t always match the shade pictured.
Good for: Parents that want a paint that’s quick and easy to apply.
2. Fusion Mineral Paint Tones for Tots
(Most long lasting — $$$)
Why it’s great: All Fusion Mineral paints are zero VOC and non-toxic. The Tones for Tots line was designed specifically for baby furniture and toys and is environmentally friendly. It comes in 7 different colors, all of which were inspired by nursery rhymes. It’s also straightforward to use since it doesn’t require any prep work like sanding or priming, and it has a built-in topcoat. It comes in a 500mL bottle, which should be enough to get the job done, smoothly covering 75 square feet. The best part is that, while in the container, this paint doesn’t harden or separate for 7 years. You can also freeze it to extend that time, which means that if you ever need to paint a new dresser or other furniture in the future, you don’t have to worry about the color being discontinued.
Keep in mind: This one is pretty pricey considering the bottle size, but it holds up well and looks terrific.
Good for: Parents who want durable paint designed for the nursery.
3. Chalk Mountain Brushes Quality Chalk Furniture Paint
(Best budget option — $)
Why it’s great: Chalk Mountain provides quality, water-based chalk paint. Not only can you choose between multiple sizes, this paint goes a long way and usually only requires two coats. It also only takes about 30 minutes for each coat to dry, making this perfect for a quick project. For the amount of paint that you get, it’s also very affordable. It comes in 53 different colors, giving you a wide variety of choices. It’s non-toxic, low-odor, and has zero VOCs. It’s even safe to use indoors, with good ventilation, if you don’t have space to paint outside somewhere.
Keep in mind: You need to make sure to shake or stir well before using this paint and properly prep your piece beforehand.
Good for: Parents who want chalk paint at an affordable price.
4. Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint
(Most durable — $$)
Why it’s great: This is a natural paint made of milk casein, clay, limestone, chalk, and pigments. It’s very breathable and, once it’s absorbed into the surface of the crib, it will never chip or peel, so it’ll keep your child’s nursery looking brand new for years. It’s environmentally friendly and has zero VOCs, making it a good choice for the nursery. It comes in over 20 different colors, so you should be able to find one that you like. It also comes in a powder that you’ll mix with equal parts water to create 1 quart of paint.
Keep in mind: This paint is a little harder to work with, and you’ll need to stir it frequently while in use to make sure it’s not settling at the bottom.
Good for: Parents who want a paint that will last forever.
5. Country Chic Chalk Style Paint – for Furniture, Home Decor, Crafts – Eco-Friendly
(Best all in one — $$$)
Why it’s great: Country Chic is a clay-based chalk-style paint that’s eco-friendly and all-in-one. It’s super easy to use with a built-in primer and a built-in top-coat. It’s very durable, and each coat dries in about 30 minutes. You can also choose to give your baby’s crib a distressed look if you want. It contains no harsh chemicals, has ultra-low VOCs, and has ultra-low odor. Even though it does have a minor amount of VOCs, it’s certified by the European Toy Safety Standards, so it’s safe to use in the nursery. It comes in 35 different shades in your choice of a pint or a quart.
Keep in mind: You’ll need to test out the color beforehand, as the pictures tend to be a little off on the exact shade.
Good for: Parents who want an all-in-one paint.
6. Shabby Chic Chalked Furniture Paint
(Most versatile — $$$)
Why it’s great: This chalk-based paint is very versatile and can be used on wood, metal, plastic, brick, stone, and plaster! You can do your baby’s crib and any other piece of furniture in the baby’s room. You can even do the walls in a different color if you’d like! It’s water-based, non-toxic, low-odor, and has ultra-low VOCs, making it safe enough for your child’s nursery. It offers great coverage and gives more of a distressed look to your baby’s furniture. Plus, it comes in 35 unique shades, so you’re sure to find one to match your child’s theme.
Keep in mind: This only comes in either 250mL or 1 liter, which aren’t the most convenient sizes for a crib.
Good for: Parents who want chalk paint they can use on the crib and any other surface.
7. Chalky Chicks | Chalk Finish Paint
(Best value — $$)
Why it’s great: This paint offers a chalk finish, allowing you to get a stylish, distressed look. It doesn’t require any prepping and comes already mixed. Chalky Chicks offers great coverage, usually only requiring one or two coats at the most. It comes in 16oz or 32oz, providing you with good quality paint at an affordable price. It comes in 25 colors options, and you can even purchase their paintbrushes to ensure you’re using the right kind.
Keep in mind: This is an indoor-only paint, so you won’t want to use it on any outdoor furniture or surfaces. You can seal it with an exterior polyacrylic, though, and it will hold up outdoors.
Good for: Parents who want great quality chalk paint at an affordable price.
FAQs about Paint for Baby’s Room
1. Is it safe to paint a crib?
It is perfectly safe to paint your baby’s crib as long as you get the correct paint. You’ll need one that is non-toxic, odorless, and has zero VOCs. Usually, this means the paint needs to be natural or water-based.
2. How much paint will I need?
This will vary based on the size and style of the crib that you’re painting. Typically, a 500mL can will cover 75 square feet, which should be enough for a crib. If you plan to paint any other nursery furniture, you’ll need more.
3. How long after painting until the crib is safe for my baby to use?
Although it only takes from 30 minutes to 8 hours for the paint to dry, depending on the type, you’ll still want to wait a few weeks before you let your child use the crib or be in a painted room. It takes 2-3 weeks for any released toxin to dissipate. That’s why it’s best to paint well in advance. Keep the room well-ventilated during that time and consider using an air purifier too. Even if you’re using non-toxic and zero VOC paint, you’ll still want to follow these guidelines to be on the safe side. If you’re using chalk paint, you’ll want to push that timeline out to 5-6 weeks to give it time to cure.
4. What kind of paint is best for baby cribs?
As long as you’re using paint that follows the safety guidelines mentioned above, this is really up to you. Chalk paint is very popular for cribs as it’s usually safe and gives the furniture a stylish matte finish. Milk paint and mineral paint are also great options, as they are natural-based and safer.
5. What should I look for in paint for a crib?
After you’ve made sure your options are completely safe to use in the nursery, you’ll want to consider a couple of other things. Make sure that the paint type you like has the correct color or shade that you want. Also, consider whether you’ll need multiple coats of paint, whether you’ll need to prime or sand the crib, and how fast the paint dries. Read the labels on different types of paint to get an idea of what will work for your crib.
Conclusion
No matter which paint you choose, make sure that you buy more than you think you’ll need. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced painter, mistakes and spills happen. It’s best to have extra, just in case.
All the paint options on this list are completely safe to use on your child’s crib. Choose the one that has a color that you like, and you’ll quickly transform your baby’s crib into a beautiful and functional piece of furniture.
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