Is there a room in the house that’s more personal, more special, more important, and more love-filled than a baby nursery? The nursery not only serves as your newborn’s sleep sanctuary, but also as your place to spend those loving, bonding, skin-to-skin moments with your newest addition to the family. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, designing the perfect nursery can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.
We had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Justin L. Segal, Creative Director at Storkcraft and the mastermind behind many of the award-winning Art of Nursery™ by Storkcraft nursery furniture collections — including the Santorini® Crib, Casablanca® Crib, Amalfi™ Crib, Sicily™ Crib, and so many more. A proud father, internationally recognized nursery furniture designer, and baby safety enthusiast, Justin spent some time with us to share his expert nursery design tips, including his top picks for the best baby crib, best baby dresser, best nursery glider or rocking chair, and other nursery room essentials every new parent needs.
The Heart of the Nursery: The Best Convertible Crib
When it comes to choosing the perfect crib for your nursery, there are a few non-negotiables every parent should look for. The best baby cribs should always be brand-new (never second-hand or used), Baby Safety Alliance Verified to meet the latest infant sleep safety standards, UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified for cleaner indoor air quality in the nursery, and convertible — designed to grow with your baby from the newborn and infant stage all the way through toddlerhood and beyond. A convertible crib is one of the smartest nursery investments a new parent can make.
Justin and his team have brought to life so many hand-sketched, in-house designed, iconic baby cribs that it’s hard to choose just one favorite. However, if he had to, his pick would be the stunning, timeless Storkcraft® Santorini® 5-in-1 Deluxe Convertible Crib with Toddler Guardrail — a centerpiece of Storkcraft’s luxurious Art of Nursery™ Collection and one of the most award-winning cribs on the market. “The Santorini will always hold the most special place in my heart, as it is the crib that I hand-sketched for my daughter,” says Justin. “So, it really is a crib that’s designed with love — by a real father, spreading love to all the other expecting parents out there.” What other features make the Santorini the perfect centerpiece for a modern nursery? “Solid wood construction, elegant curves, and beautiful colorways make the Santorini a crib that will elevate any nursery space,” says Justin. “I especially love the monotone wood tones: Driftwood and Hazelnut.”
Keeping Your Nursery Tidy: The Best Baby Dresser for Your Nursery
A great baby dresser or nursery chest of drawers is about more than just storage — it’s about safety. Storkcraft dressers and nursery dressers have come a long way. Every Storkcraft baby dresser features the brand’s in-house engineered, safety-focused interlocking drawer system, which ensures only one drawer can open at a time. This innovative design helps mitigate the risk of furniture tip-over — one of the leading causes of nursery-related injuries — and works in tandem with Storkcraft’s included wall anchor kit for maximum nursery safety.
With so many great options, what’s Justin’s top pick for the best nursery dresser? “It has to be the Storkcraft® Casablanca™ 6 Drawer Dresser — another iconic piece within our elevated Art of Nursery™ line,” says Justin. “The waves on the bottom drawers, the softly rounded posts — it’s truly an amazing piece of nursery furniture. And it’s a dresser that will look just as good in a big kid’s room, playroom, or even an adult bedroom afterwards. It’s crafted with solid wood, so it’s quality-crafted to last.” Justin is also a big fan of the Casablanca’s versatile color palette — and encourages parents to think beyond matching. “Mixing a Driftwood crib with a Sage dresser, or a Hazelnut crib with a Frosted Oat dresser adds a lot of personality and dimension to the room. Focus on bringing the nursery space to life, not on matching everything in the same color. There aren’t any rules — have fun with it, make a design splash,” says Justin.
Comfort Over Everything: The Best Nursery Glider and Power Recliner for Bonding with Baby
Early mornings, late-night feedings, sleepless nights — throughout the first weeks and months of parenthood, your nursery glider chair or nursery recliner is going to be your best friend (aside from your baby, of course — and coffee).
When choosing the best nursery chair, Justin recommends spending a little extra, if your budget allows, to invest in a power recliner swivel glider. “Being able to recline smoothly and seamlessly with the push of a button is a really nice luxury, if you’re able to make a power recliner work within your budget,” says Justin. “Especially for C-section recovery, it can be hard on the abdominal area to operate a manual recliner chair. Also, with a push-button power nursery glider, you’re less likely to wake baby from their slumber.” For parents wondering what to look for in a nursery glider vs. recliner, Justin’s advice is clear: the added functionality of a power swivel glider makes it worth the investment for most new parents.
His favorite pick? “I just love the look of the Graco® Teddi® Power Recliner and Swivel Glider with USB,” says Justin. A feature that sets Storkcraft nursery recliners apart: they are all upholstered in OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Certified fabrics — a meaningful distinction for parents who prioritize non-toxic nursery furniture and baby-safe materials when designing a healthy nursery environment.
Other Nursery Essentials, Outside of the Furniture Realm
Great nursery design goes beyond just furniture — the best nurseries are thoughtfully layered with smart baby products, nursery décor, and those little touches that make the space truly feel like home. So what are some other nursery picks from this girl dad for families putting together their dream nursery? “Alright, some other winning choices for the nursery? Shout-out to Nanit: I love their Nanit Smart Baby Monitor System (specifically the Wall Mount) and Nanit Sound + Light,” says Justin. “I can’t imagine fatherhood without those two smart nursery items,” he adds.
Rounding out the nursery? “Love my daughter’s Amuseables Sports Tennis Ball by Jellycat, Peanuts Snoopy Tennis Plush by Bon Ton Toys, and Champion Moves Print (in Pink) by Anneka Lange, from the Racquet shop,” says Justin — who, as you can tell, has a tennis-inspired nursery. For parents looking for nursery décor ideas or a themed nursery, Justin’s setup is proof that leaning into a personal passion — whether it’s tennis, travel, art, or nature — is what transforms a nursery from a functional room into a truly special, one-of-a-kind space.