Tutti Bambini Modena vs Obaby Nika: Which Nursery Room Set Deserves the Spot?

COMPARISON · NURSERY & SLEEP

A nursery room set is one of the biggest single purchases you will make before your baby arrives, and getting it right saves you from mismatched finishes, last-minute wardrobe hunts and the nagging feeling you overpaid. Two sets come up again and again in UK parent groups: the Tutti Bambini Modena 3 Piece and the Obaby Nika 2+2 Piece. Both sit in the mid-range bracket, both use a warm oak-effect finish and both convert from newborn setup to toddler-friendly furniture.

The twist? They bundle different extras. The Modena packs in a full wardrobe, while the Nika throws in a mattress and an under-cot drawer, skipping the wardrobe entirely. That single difference changes how your nursery looks, how it functions and how much you end up spending once all the add-ons are counted. We put the two sets side by side, dug through parent feedback and compared every spec that actually matters to help you pick the one that fits your room, your routine and your budget.

Lil' Bubba's verdicts

• Best Overall: Tutti Bambini Modena · 8.5/10 - more complete set with wardrobe, easier assembly and 3-year guarantee
• Best for Small Nurseries & Value: Obaby Nika · 8.0/10 - mattress included, compact footprint and premium gold-handle styling

Quick comparison

	Tutti Bambini Modena	Obaby Nika
Set price	£429	£470
Pieces	Cot bed + Chest changer + Wardrobe	Cot bed + Changing unit + Under drawer + Mattress
Mattress included	No	Yes (140 x 70 cm)
Wardrobe included	Yes	No
Cot bed dimensions	H85 x L148 x W75 cm	H92 x L144 x D77 cm
Cot bed weight	44 kg	38 kg
Mattress positions	3	3
Conversion modes	Cot, toddler bed, sofa	Cot, toddler bed
Drawer capacity	3 drawers (changer)	3 x 33L drawers (one-hand opening)
Colour options	Oak, White/Oak, Grey Ash/White	Oak, Grey Wash, Oatmeal, White Wash + more
Assembly time	~1 hr solo	~3 hrs (2 people recommended)
Guarantee	3 years	Standard manufacturer
Rating	/ 10	/ 10

How we picked the 2

We started with every nursery room set in our joined-programme catalogue, filtered for sets with at least a cot bed and a changer or dresser, and shortlisted products from brands that parents buy repeatedly. From there we cross-referenced real feedback from parent communities, weighed up what each set actually includes against its sticker price and checked that both were in stock with current UK retailers. The goal was a fair, like-for-like comparison between two sets that genuinely compete for the same spot in your nursery.

What to look for in a nursery room set

Total cost of ownership, not sticker price. A set that looks cheaper might not include a mattress, under-drawer or wardrobe. Add those extras up and the "budget" option can end up costing more.

Conversion modes. Most cot beds convert to a toddler bed. Some also offer a sofa or day-bed mode, which extends the furniture's useful life well past the cot stage.

Drawer depth and runners. Shallow drawers sound fine until you try folding a stack of sleepsuits into one. Look for at least 30 L capacity per drawer and metal runners that open smoothly with one hand, because you will be holding a baby in the other.

Assembly complexity. Some sets go together in under an hour with clear numbered parts. Others need a full afternoon and a patient partner. Check reviews specifically for assembly feedback before you buy.

Colour range. If you have a specific nursery palette in mind, a wider colour range gives you a better chance of matching. Oak is the safe middle ground, but grey wash, oatmeal and white finishes are increasingly popular.

Safety standards. In the UK, look for BS EN 716 compliance for cot beds and BS EN 12221 for changing units. Teething rails are a bonus that protects both the cot frame and your baby's gums.

1. Tutti Bambini Modena 3 Piece Room Set / 10 · Best Overall

The Modena is Tutti Bambini's bestselling mid-range set and the reason is straightforward: you get a cot bed, a chest changer and a wardrobe in one delivery for under £450. The cot bed converts three ways (cot, toddler bed, sofa), which means it can realistically stay in use until your child is five or six. All conversion parts come in the box, so there is no hunting for add-on kits later.

Assembly is a genuine strong point. One parent told us: "I built the whole set on my own in about an hour - the instructions were clear and every screw was labelled." The engineered-wood construction feels solid without being flimsy, and the warm oak finish suits most nursery palettes. Tutti Bambini backs it with a 3-year guarantee, which is longer than most competitors offer at this price.

What parents love

• Wardrobe included. Double doors with soft-close hinges, a hanging rail and two shelves. One parent shared: "Having the wardrobe from day one meant we did not need to buy a separate one later."
• Easy solo assembly. Clear numbered parts and no specialist tools needed. Multiple parents report building the full set alone in 60-90 minutes.
• Three conversion modes. Cot to toddler bed to sofa, all parts included. Extends the cot bed's useful life to around 6 years.
• Sturdy build quality. A parent put it best: "As an engineer I was impressed with the build quality and intelligent design. Very easy to put up."

What to know before you buy

• Mattress not included. You will need to budget an extra £50-100 for a 140 x 70 cm cot mattress.
• No under-cot drawer. There is 13.7 cm clearance under the cot, but no matching drawer available in the range.
• Limited colour options. Three finishes (Oak, White/Oak, Grey Ash/White) compared to six or more from competitors.

Best for

• Parents who want a complete nursery in one delivery
• Anyone setting up solo and wanting quick, clear assembly
• Families planning to use the furniture from birth to school age

2. Obaby Nika 2+2 Piece Room Set / 10 · Best for Small Nurseries & Value

The Nika takes a different approach. Instead of a wardrobe, Obaby bundles a mattress and an under-cot drawer into the set, saving you the separate purchase and making the most of a smaller room. The gold-coloured round handles are a subtle design touch that lifts the whole set above the typical "flat-pack nursery" look, and the changing unit's 33-litre drawers run on smooth metal runners you can open with one hand.

Parents we hear from regularly praise the Nika's compact footprint. We hear repeatedly from parents that: "It looks fantastic in our small nursery - very affordable and I would highly recommend it." The cot bed itself is slightly shorter and lighter than the Modena, which helps in box rooms. Assembly takes longer (around three hours) and the instructions could be clearer, but the end result is a stylish, well-built set that feels more expensive than it is.

What parents love

• Mattress included. A 140 x 70 cm mattress comes in the box, saving £50-100 compared to sets that exclude it.
• Under-cot drawer. Built-in storage for spare sheets, blankets and sleepsuits without taking up any extra floor space.
• Gold-handle detailing. One parent told us: "The gold handles feel modern and just that little bit more luxurious than many other nursery sets."
• Wide colour range. Six finishes including Oak, Grey Wash, Oatmeal and White Wash, so it is easier to match a specific nursery scheme.

What to know before you buy

• No wardrobe. You will need a separate wardrobe or use existing storage for hanging clothes and bulkier items.
• Longer assembly. Around three hours with two people. Instructions lack numbered labels on the parts, which can slow things down.
• No sofa conversion. The cot bed converts to a toddler bed but not a sofa or day bed, so its useful life is slightly shorter.

Best for

• Smaller nurseries where a wardrobe would not fit
• Parents who want everything (including the mattress) in one box
• Anyone after a more contemporary, design-led aesthetic

How to choose

Pick the Tutti Bambini Modena if your nursery has room for a wardrobe and you want the simplest possible assembly. Its 3-in-1 cot bed, included wardrobe and 3-year guarantee make it the more complete package, and at £429 (before mattress) it is the lower sticker price. If you value longevity and one-delivery convenience, this is the set to go for.

Pick the Obaby Nika if your nursery is on the smaller side or you would rather not shop for a mattress separately. The included mattress and under-cot drawer add genuine value, the gold-handle styling gives it a premium edge and the wider colour range means you are more likely to find a finish that matches your vision. At £470 with mattress included, the real-world cost gap between the two sets is narrower than the sticker prices suggest.

Add it to your Nest

Whichever set you choose, you can add it to your free BubsNest registry so friends and family can contribute towards the big purchases. Nursery furniture is one of the most-requested registry categories, and splitting the cost across a few generous grandparents makes a real difference.