Trend Lab crib beddingWeb site: trend-lab.com

Trend Lab may sound more like a chemical beaker maker than a bedding designer, but this brand is a hit in the under-$150 crib bedding market. Sold on Target.com and other discounters, Trend Lab offered (mostly) 100% cotton bedding in the $50 to $120 range for a three-piece set.

So what does Trend Lab offer? You’ll see design elements like textured fabric (waffle weave and knit jersey, for example) as well as attractive embroidery and appliqué. Overall, they tend toward the graphical with only a few cutesy animal prints. Colors run the gamut from the all white “Marshmallow” set to the black and neon pink “Serena.”

Three-piece sets like the Florence pattern at right, consist of a blanket/quilt, sheet and crib skirt ($78). Accessories are available including diaper stackers, window valances, mobiles, changing pad covers, blankets, storage items and more. Unfortunately, they still make bumpers, which we don’t recommend.

Trend Lab crib bedding Dr. Seuss

Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? Now you can have a Seuss-themed nursery at a very reasonable price.

The company also makes crib bedding under the license for Waverly Baby bedding (three-piece set $136; some four-piece sets are available and come with bumpers) and Dr. Suess (three-piece set $100 to $126) in 2014 so their line includes 12 Dr. Seuss set and nine Waverly sets. They also have the Paddington Bear license (three-piece set $81).

As one parent noted on our web site: “the crib sheets from Trend Lab are big enough to fit the mattress perfectly . . . and the quality is high.” The downside: some items may shrink (note the cold-water washing instructions) and a few items are poly/cotton blends. But for the price, parents tell us Trend Lab is still a decent value. Rating: B