How to Set Up the Clara 2 Piece Nursery Furniture Set

Quick answer

Set up the Clara 2 Piece Nursery Furniture Set by assembling the cot bed first, then the dresser changer, and finally anchoring both to the wall. Work in the nursery with a helper, keep the instructions and hardware bag together, and test every joint before placing any mattress or changing pad.

Before you start: space, tools and timing

Clear the nursery floor and lean the boxed panels against a wall so you can see the labels. The Clara 2 Piece Nursery Furniture Set arrives as two flat-packed pieces: the cot bed and the dresser changer. You will need a Phillips screwdriver, a small hammer or mallet for wooden dowels, and a soft cloth to protect the Cashmere and Ash finishes. A second person makes the cot bed safer to flip and the dresser changer easier to align.

Set aside 90 to 120 minutes. Rushing the first piece usually means redoing the second. Keep all screws, bolts and dowels in a shallow bowl or tray so none roll under the cot. If you are setting up before the baby arrives, build the cot bed in the room where it will stay, because it is awkward to move once assembled.

Assemble the cot bed first

Open the cot bed carton and lay out the headboard, footboard, side rails, base and mattress support. Follow the manufacturer's order exactly: usually the end panels first, then the side rails, then the base. Tighten bolts by hand until all pieces are joined, then go around and tighten them fully with the screwdriver. This two-stage tightening stops the frame from twisting.

Check the cot bed is square by measuring diagonally from corner to corner; both measurements should match. If they do not, loosen the bolts slightly, press the frame into shape, and re-tighten. A twisted cot bed can creak and may not sit level. Once square, fit the mattress support at the height you need for a newborn, which is normally the higher setting for easier lifting.

Build the dresser changer next

The Clara 3 Drawer Dresser Changer is the second piece in the set. Turn the carcass onto its back on a soft cloth and attach the drawer runners before standing it upright. Fit the drawer fronts last so you can adjust them for an even gap. The White and Ash finish shows fingerprints, so handle panels by the edges.

Once upright, slide each drawer in and out. If a drawer sticks, loosen its runner screws a quarter turn, push the drawer in fully, and re-tighten. Do not force a drawer; the runner is usually misaligned rather than the drawer being too wide. If you also bought the Ada Nursery Wardrobe, assemble it after the dresser changer so the heaviest piece is placed first and you are not lifting around it.

Position and anchor both pieces

Place the cot bed away from windows, radiators and trailing blind cords. Leave enough space to walk around it. Put the dresser changer within arm's reach of the cot if you plan to use it for night changes, but not so close that you cannot open the drawers fully. Check the wall behind each piece for hidden cables or pipes before drilling.

Anchor both the cot bed and the dresser changer to the wall using the supplied wall-fixing kit or a suitable alternative for your wall type. This is the step most often skipped and the one that matters most once a baby starts pulling up. If you are unsure about your wall, ask a qualified fitter. Anchoring is a safety step, not an optional extra.

Step-by-step setup checklist

1. Clear the room and check the boxes: Move existing furniture out, vacuum the floor, and open both cartons to confirm all panels and hardware are present before you start. Checkpoint: if a bag of fittings is missing, stop and contact the retailer rather than substituting screws.
2. Assemble the cot bed frame: Join the end panels and side rails, hand-tighten all bolts, then fully tighten once the frame is square. Common mistake: over-tightening one corner first pulls the frame out of square and makes the base hard to fit.
3. Fit the cot bed base at the right height: Set the mattress support to the higher position for a newborn and lower it as your baby grows and begins to sit or pull up. Checkpoint: the base should sit level with no rocking when you press down on one corner.
4. Build the dresser changer carcass and drawers: Attach runners to the carcass, stand it upright, then fit drawer fronts and adjust the gaps. Common mistake: forcing a stiff drawer damages the runner; loosen the screws slightly and realign instead.
5. Position both pieces with safe clearance: Keep the cot away from windows, cords and radiators, and leave space to open every dresser drawer fully. Checkpoint: you should be able to walk around the cot and open the dresser changer without moving either piece.
6. Anchor both pieces to the wall: Use the supplied wall fixings or the correct fixings for your wall, and drill only after checking for hidden cables and pipes. Common mistake: skipping the wall anchor; this is the most important safety step once your baby becomes mobile.
7. Final tighten and test: Go around every bolt and cam once more, then push gently on the cot sides and open all drawers to check stability. Checkpoint: no wobble, no creaks, and no exposed sharp edges before you add a mattress or changing pad.

Product facts

• Clara 2 Piece Nursery Furniture Set - Cashmere & Ash: The Clara 2 Piece Nursery Furniture Set in Cashmere & Ash pairs a cot bed and a dresser changer to support dressing, changing and sleep routines from newborn days onwards. You are assembling two coordinated pieces, so build the cot bed first and the dresser changer second to avoid lifting around a finished frame.
• Clara 3 Drawer Dresser Changer - White & Ash: The Clara 3 Drawer Dresser Changer in White & Ash offers three drawers of storage with a light, timeless finish for changing and dressing routines. The three drawers give you a place for nappies, wipes and clothes, so position it within reach of the cot before you anchor it.
• Ada Nursery Wardrobe - White & Ash: The Ada Nursery Wardrobe is a double wardrobe with two doors and brushed metal handles, designed to suit both contemporary and traditional nurseries. If you add the Ada wardrobe, assemble and place it after the dresser changer so you are not moving a tall piece around the room later.