Welcoming a baby doesn’t mean your home has to look like a daycare. Check out these on-trend black and white baby products for nursery inspiration.
PHOTO: BABYLETTO
What’s black and white and monochrome? This year’s biggest baby-gear trend, that’s what. Perhaps to the relief of modern-décor-obsessed parents, baby product designers are replacing the bright and garish look of yesteryear with sleeker, simpler options for the nursery. You can now get a classic black-and-white bouncer chair or Rock ‘n Play that blends in with your living room, instead of one covered in red and brown monkey faces (just for example). Maybe you want to forego the enormous plastic Exersaucer with a million attachments and splurge on a more minimalist baby activity centre that could pass as a side table in a high-end condo.
There's also an added benefit for your little one: newborns only see in black, white and grey for the first few weeks. These bold, geometric patterns with lots of contrast will stimulate their visual development.
If you gravitate toward neutral basics instead of all things loud and multicoloured, this roundup of black and white baby products is for you.
This black and white baby activity gym is only available for purchase in the US for now, but it will be available through Canadian retailers in April 2019. Baby’s “workout” area includes an overhead mobile, a mirror attachment, cute musical animals (a fox, badger and hedgehog), a soft accordion book, and satin ribbon details (great for an infant’s fine motor skills). $60 USD, Amazon.com
Photo: Tiny LoveAdding a contoured change pad cover in “Tuxedo” brings a bold look to your diaper change station—somewhere you’ll be spending A LOT of time over your baby’s first few years. The “Modo” dresser is also by Babyletto. Dresser, $449, WestCoastKids.ca. Change pad cover, $36, BuyBuyBaby.com
Photo: BabylettoThis glossy black Babyletto design—the Harlow acrylic three-in-one crib—is a timeless, gender-neutral addition to the nursery. Bonus: it transitions into a toddler bed (with included bed rail) as your baby gets older. $949, westcoastkids.ca
The Inter-Mix backpack has leather trim, side pockets for bottles, a washable changing pad, a refillable wipes case, and a water resistant interior. If you’ve got a mobile baby or run-away toddler, you know a diaper bag that keeps your hands free can be a lifesaver when you’re out and about. $150, WestCoastKids.ca
Photo: West Coast KidsA black-and-white themed nursery wouldn’t be complete without some cute art on the walls. These 8×10 prints come as a set of four on linen cardstock, with a fade-resistant, anti-glare matte finish. $40, Amazon.ca
Photo: Amazon.caAdhesive wall decals are an affordable, low-committment way to create an accent wall or to add a fun pattern to your baby’s room, without messing around with rolls of wallpaper. $29, Ella+Elliot.com
Photo: Ella+ElliotA rug can really complete a nursery theme, while adding texture and a cozy feel to the space. Consider this runner in a wool-cotton blend, with a black-and-white diamond pattern. It also comes in a 4×6 size, too. $200-$289, Ella+Elliot.com
Photo: Ella+ElliotYou were probably gifted an armload of blankets at your baby shower (some of them lovingly DIY’ed by well-meaning relatives). But it’s not actually safe to let a baby sleep with a blanket unsupervised until they’re older than 12 months. Sleep bags and sleep sacks are a popular alternative, and Halo is one of the biggest brands in the wearable-blanket biz. This one’s a warm, cozy fleece with a plus-sign pattern. $22, BuyBuyBaby.com
Photo: AmazonThis durable board book with vision-stimulating images inside is a baby shower go-to. It also expands accordion-style, which is great for tummy time sessions. $10, Indigo.ca
Add a little personality to the back seat with a cowhide-lined infant bucket car “seat by Britax. $170, BuyBuyBaby.com
Photo: Well.caIf your little one has outgrown the infant bucket seat, it’s time to upgrade to a toddler convertible one. $230, BuyBuyBaby.com
Photo: Amazon.comThe Bobbin Triple Play Centre is a high-end version of the traditional baby Exersaucer. Yes, it’s expensive, but it converts to a toddler table with a chalkboard insert, or into a sleek sidetable that won’t clash with your modern, neutral-toned living room. The leather seat can rotate 360 degrees, it adjusts to five different heights, and there’s a movable “tether bobble” for securing whatever toy your baby is into these days. $650, Ella+Elliot.com
Photo: Ella+ElliotThis is a new ergonomic design from the same industrial designer who created the iconic Stokke Tripp Trapp chair—both high chairs are meant to grow with your kids. (Add-ons include a newborn lounger, a baby seat with leg holes and straps, and a high chair tray.) The Nomi comes in a few different colour combos, but a black or white one will blend in with a monochrome kitchen. $440-$530, WestCoastKids.ca
Photo: West Coast KidsIf the price tag on the Nomi (previous slide) made you gasp, we recommend the basic Antilop highchair from IKEA. It’s light, affordable, easy to wipe down and inoffensive to most kitchen décor themes. For younger babies, there’s an inflatable pillow insert (the Klämmig) that you can add for extra support. $25 with tray, IKEA.com
Photo: IKEARead more: The 10 most dangerous baby products 33 super clever baby products we love
Keep up with your baby's development, get the latest parenting content and receive special offers from our partners
Ariel is a Toronto-based managing editor for Douglas and McIntyre. More of her work can be found in The Toronto Star, Welland Tribune and Toronto Life.