There are many reasons why someone might want to paint a cot – perhaps it’s not quite the right colour to match the nursery, or the previous paint has been chipping off from where a teething baby got to it. No matter why you want to paint your cot, it’s important to research beforehand.
So, can you paint your cot? Let’s find out.
Key Points
- It is safe to paint a cot as long as you use non-toxic, baby-safe paints
- Painting a cot will create a personalised look for your baby’s nursery
- Parents should avoid using traditional paints with toxic chemicals when painting baby furniture
Content In This Article:
- Is It Safe To Paint A Cot?
- What Paint Is Suitable For Painting A Cot?
- What Are The Benefits Of Using Natural Paints For A Cot?
- How To Paint A Cot Safely?
Is It Safe To Paint A Cot?
Yes, you can paint your cot using the correct paints and materials. Babies love to chew their cots, grab the bars, and interact with their sleep space a lot, so you need to make sure you’re painting the cot properly to avoid paint chips from causing a hazard to your little one.
Provided that you use baby-safe paint and leave it to dry thoroughly before you put your baby down for a nap, then there shouldn’t be a reason why you can’t paint a crib.
What Paint Is Suitable For Painting A Cot?
Many paints use Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), one of the main contributors to the strong paint fumes you smell when opening a paint can. These chemicals emit toxins even after the paint has dried, which can harm children. To prevent the painted cot from causing harm to your child, choose a paint with low VOC content.
Many brands have created paints specifically for kids’ furniture, and these will have a low VOC content. Don’t just opt for ordinary furniture paint, though, as this has one of the highest VOC ratings.
Also, look for a child-safe paint that doesn’t need a primer. Paint primers also contain VOCs, so even if you’re using kid-safe paint, your primer might be the one to trip you up.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Natural Paints For A Cot?
Natural paints are often the best option for baby furniture, providing various benefits. For starters, natural paints are non-toxic and usually free from synthetic chemicals. This is best for children’s furniture as it limits their exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds. However, always check the label to ensure this is still true for the specific natural paint you chose.
Another benefit of natural paints is that they’re better for the environment than standard paints, lowering their VOC content and odour.
Many people actually find natural paints easier to apply as they’re less likely to drip when applied. This will give you a better finish with (hopefully) fewer coats. This is perfect for painting a cot; you need the job finished before your baby’s next nap.
Natural paints are also fade-resistant and long-lasting, so your baby can enjoy their fresh cot for years!
What Are Some Popular Cot Paint Colours?
Finding the best baby-safe paint in a colour that makes your heart gleam is easier than you think. The most popular colours are white or off-white, such as soft grey, beige, and ivory.
Soft colours are also a typical winner, including soft pink, lavender, pale yellow, baby blue, pale peach, soft orange, and mint green. Light purple and light brown are also becoming more popular in cot paint colours.
There are also trendy and timeless options, such as dusty pink and safe green. These colours are safe and muted but often blend into almost any nursery theme.
When selecting a crib paint colour, choosing colours that match your nursery decor and make your baby feel comfortable is vital. Bright colours are less associated with sleep and, therefore, might not be the best for your child’s nursery, especially when you’re trying to establish a sleep routine.
Take your time and consider a few options before making your final decision. Ideally, you only want to paint your new baby’s crib once, so make sure your chosen colour is perfect.
How To Paint A Cot Safely?
You’ve decided that you want to paint your baby’s crib, and you have chosen a beautiful colour. Now, the fun begins. We’ve detailed how you can use to paint a crib safely below:
Choose The Right Paint
Double-check that your paint is non-toxic, lead-free, and VOC-low. Natural paints are a good choice, as well as water-based paints. Consider furniture paint made specifically for children’s toys and furniture.
Get The Cot Ready
Painting the cot while it’s still together might be tempting, but taking it apart will give you the best results. So, remove all hardware and get the sides apart from one another. Keep all the screws safe; you’ll need them again after the paint has dried!
Use a mild soap and warm water to clean any dust and debris off the cot, and let it dry thoroughly before painting. Ensure your sponge is really wrung out to avoid using too much water, as this will take longer to dry!
Sand the cot gently if it has previously been painted, and wipe away the sanding dust with a damp cloth. A sanding sponge is best for this as it’s not too abrasive. Let this dry again.
Tape anything that you don’t want to be painted with painter’s tape, such as hardware, teething rails, or the cot legs.
Start Painting!
Start painting your prepared crib with a drop cloth or newspaper underneath the cot to protect the floor! Ensure you’re using a high-quality paintbrush, as this will leave fewer streaks. You could also use a roller on the flat surfaces, as this will give a smoother finish.
Paint thin coats, letting them dry completely before painting another coat. At least two coats are recommended for the best results. Thin coats are highly recommended over thick coats as the latter can bubble, peel, and take forever to dry.
Once you’re happy with the painted cot, you can reattach the pieces with the removed hardware and see your crib painting project come to life! Ensure the paint is completely dry before letting your baby in it.
Consider A Top Coat
Teething babies might decide to chew on their cot, which can damage the fresh paint. The last thing we want your little one to ingest is paint, so consider a top coat. This will seal the paint beneath and prevent your child from scratching the new paint. Ensure the top coat has a low VOC content and is suitable for children’s furniture.
A silicone teething rail is an alternative to a top coat if you can’t find one suitable for your child’s cot. Teething rails can be removed once your child has finished teething, and they won’t damage your new coat of paint.
Final Thoughts On Can I Paint A Crib
Painting a crib is a fun, creative, and economical way to spruce up your baby’s nursery. Parents will love this DIY if they enjoy painting, and it’s a great way to spruce up the nursery. Ensure you’re preparing the cot properly and using the correct paint, as paints with a too-high VOC rating could harm your baby.
Children’s furniture paint or natural paints are the best. So, now you know the basics – which will you choose?