Planning and decorating the nursery is one of the most fun and exciting activities to enjoy when you’re preparing for the arrival of your little one! To make this process simpler, we’ve put together our best tips and ideas to help you make sure you’ve got everything you need to give your baby the perfect space to play, sleep and grow.
Essential pieces for your nursery
- The crib: This will be one of the most used pieces in the room, so make sure it’s up to the task. Before you buy, check that the crib you want meets all US safety standards, that it’s made of quality materials and that it’s built to last. Many children sleep in a crib for up to three years, and if you’re planning to add to your family, you can reuse a quality crib for each new arrival. When looking at cribs, there are quite a few different options out there, including cribs that convert into toddler or full-size beds, that have adjustable sides so that you can lower and raise them easily, and – of course – different styles to suit any home’s design.
- Storage: For such little people, babies come with a huge amount of stuff! With toys, diapers, story books, lotions, towels, clothes, bags, travel gear, and so much more, you can never have too much storage. Try to organize your storage according to your most immediate needs – lotions and diapers by the changing station, boxes where you can get toys off the floor and out of sight, storybooks close to the crib or play area, and so on. For stuff that needs to stay out of your baby’s reach (especially as he or she gets older), make sure you have shelving placed at a higher level.
- Bedding: Crib bedding is functional as well as cute, so it’s a great opportunity for stretching your creative muscles! In addition to considering your nursery theme and your home’s style, be sure that you have all the right pieces and enough changes so you’re not always doing laundry. 5-6 crib sheets are ideal, and a waterproof mattress protector is a must! Experts recommend that bedding should be 100% cotton and soft to the touch. Remember not to crowd the crib with toys and bedding, in line with SIDS prevention guidelines.
- A changing station: This is your most practical and hard-working piece of furniture in the nursery, and it has to be ready to help you handle even the dirtiest diapers. The key here is to have everything you need within easy reach! Your station can consist of a changing table or a changing pad that is fitted onto a dresser (a great option if space is limited), a hanging mobile or toys to keep baby distracted and entertained, drawers of clothing changes and a shelf for lotions, clean diapers, a diaper disposal unit and wipes. It’s a great idea to have plenty of extra covers for your changing station so you can swap them out easily.
- A comfortable chair: You’re going to spend a lot of time in the nursery with your little one, so it’s important to have a comfortable seating area where you can nurse, cuddle and relax with your baby. A rocking chair or glider is a great choice for helping sooth your baby, and make sure your chair has comfortable arm rests so that your arms are properly supported too. One good idea is to place a small shelf or table near your chair where you can put a drink or book, dump bottles or your phone – that way, if your little one falls asleep on you, you don’t have to worry about moving and waking him or her up. If you like to put your feet up, an ottoman is a great addition too!
- Dimmer and nightlight: Avoid having very bright lighting in your nursery, as babies are pretty sensitive to it. Install a nightlight or softly shaded lamp near the crib or install a dimmer switch for the nursery light to adjust it easily to your personal preference.
- Little extras: The extras are what turn your nursery into a personal and warm space. Things like a soft rug for the floor, a play mat, cushions, blackout curtains or blind are all useful items that make your space more baby-friendly. Just remember to make sure that everything is machine washable and childproof!
Choosing a theme for your nursery
For lots of parents, buying the practical items for the nursery is easy, and the real challenge is coming up with a theme! There are so many ideas and inspirational nurseries out there that you can feel overwhelmed by your options. Here’s a little guide to help you settle on the one that fits your family best.
- The perfect color: Color has an effect on our mood and even our appetite, so it’s important to pick a good color palette for your nursery. Soft pastels are always a great choice, as they inspire feelings of calm, relaxation and serenity. Neutrals are a great option for spaces where parents want to be able to change décor easily as their little one grows. It’s also a great option if you don’t want to limit your space and furniture to a single specific color palette.
- Themes: Take a look online at different nursery themes and find one that resonates with you – you’re going to spend a lot of time in there, after all! Cute little sheep are great for neutral nurseries, adding softness. Little birds are a good way to add pops of bold color and interest. Adorable animal portraits add interest and fun. Think about what you loved as a child and what you’d like to inspire in your little one! Remember, you don’t have to go crazy and make everything in the nursery conform with the theme, unless it’s what you want.
- Keep room for growth: Your child is likely going to be using their nursery for a few years at the very least, so make sure the style of the space can grow with their needs. A good way of doing this is to make sure your theme suits a toddler as well as a baby, or that your décor can be swapped out easily without having to do a whole remodel of the space.
We wish you the very best for designing your nursery and hope that you create wonderful memories in this space with your little one!