The Nursery Item That Survived Two Kids and Still Looks 'Cosy Curated'

By Louise & Shiralee, Devine & Co

When I was pregnant with my first son, I fell hard into the nesting phase. All I wanted was a calm, serene nursery. Free from the visual headache of loud colours and busy patterns. I was dreaming of a truly cosy curated space, a million miles away from the bright items you usually see in the baby aisle.

And look, I did well on the big stuff! We bought the sturdy Boori set, a comfortable rocking chair (essential for those 3 AM feeds!), and I focused on pieces with real longevity.

But then reality hit, as every mum knows it does: kids have colours. Lots of them. Soon, my tranquil, neutral haven was starting to drown under a tidal wave of bright, mismatched plastic toys.

The Search for Texture: A Toy Box with a Secret

The final missing piece was the toy storage. I looked around and thought, I cannot put another massive white piece of furniture in this room. It would just look sterile. I needed warmth, texture, and something to break up the clean lines.

That's when I landed on the idea of a beautiful rattan hamper. It was perfect for adding that natural texture! And crucially, I needed one that was large and rectangular to hold the volume, and it had to have a lid.

Shiralee knew how much this meant to me. She was looking for a special gift, and she went off and found the perfect one from Adairs. I remember thinking it was an investment at about $170 AUD at the time, but receiving something so thoughtfully chosen felt priceless.

Mums' Thoughts: It's Already Paid for Itself

Almost six years later, I can genuinely say that higher price tag was the smartest decision we made.

This hamper has been a constant Nursery Hero. It’s seen out both my sons, enduring countless toddler clean-ups, being dragged across floors, and storing everything from soft plushies to heavy wooden blocks. It’s still sturdy, functional, and completely intact.

When I do the analysis, a piece of furniture that cost $170 AUD and has served us for five and a half years works out to only about $31 per year so far! That’s incredible value for something that still looks this good.

🛒 Find Your Own Nursery Hero

Find Your Own Hero: The exact style may change, but the principle is the same—look for quality and versatility! (Just a heads up, some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links, which helps us keep the blog running!)

The Good Find: Repurposing, Not Council Clean-up

I’m not into making huge purchases that just end up on the council clean up when the kids grow up. When you’re a new mum, decorating can feel like a bottomless pit of things you think you need Vs what you actually need.

The rattan hamper was an essential design piece because of its future potential and it's the good find that keeps on giving.

Soon, we'll install that old faithful IKEA storage system to organise my youngest’s space. But my rattan hero won't be thrown away! The rectangle shape and the lid make it perfect for moving around the house:

• Lounge Room: Holding cosy throw blankets
• Entryway: Used for scarves, hats, or shoes by the door
• Master Bedroom: As a stylish, concealed laundry hamper

The lesson here is simple, when you’re buying baby things, invest in the quality pieces that bring you happiness and can be repurposed into your normal decor. That's a good investment.

Happy styling, Devine & Co.