Putting together the nursery is one of the great joys of being an expecting parent. Picking out a color scheme, the perfect furniture and decorations for the little-one-to-be is so much fun. There’s definitely a practical side to designing the nursery, as well, though – it’s important to create as safe of an environment as can be. Fortunately, you can have it all – safety, practicality and great design.
Safety First! Baby-Proofing the Nursery
In order to make sure that the nursery is completely safe, there are a few things to keep in mind. All large pieces of furniture should be securely fastened to the wall. Electrical outlets also need to be covered. If there are low doors – on the changing table, for example – it’s good to put latches on those as well.
When I was a new mom, I felt really overwhelmed with baby-proofing. I didn’t have a lot of hands on experience with little ones, so I wasn’t sure I had all my bases covered. Fortunately, another mom with way more insight came in and helped me out. I would recommend that all new moms get guidance this way – sometimes a little expert insight makes all the difference in the world.
Great Design That Grows With Your Baby
Now for the fun part – decorating and picking out gear and furniture. The first step many people take is choosing a color scheme or theme for the nursery. A common approach is to choose pastel blue for boys and pastel pink or soft lavender for girls. If you’re trying to go for a more gender neutral look, consider going with greens or yellows.
Pastel colors are definitely cute, but they’re outgrown within just a few years. That’s why I don’t really like to paint the walls with pastels. I think the most practical way to go is to paint the walls a neutral color and add pops of color using accessories and wall art. For example, rather than painting your little girl’s room pastel pink, add a girly touch instead using with a Disney princess wall decal found at Whimsicalroomdecor.com. If you ever want to change the look, you can do so much more easily than if you had to repaint.
Accessorizing with colorful curtains and small furniture pieces like bookshelves and lamps also adds fun and interest. This is another practical approach, as these items are easily replaced as your child grows. Curtains that have a room darkening effect are especially great for newborns, since simulating night time will help them sleep better during day time naps. Wooden blinds are one option that can fit a number of different color schemes.
I like to choose “decorations” that the baby can eventually play with, as well. For example, maybe you are going with a safari decor theme; add stuffed giraffes and elephants around the room.
Aim to choose furniture that is highly practical and can grow with your baby. For example, many cribs available actually convert to a toddler bed down the road, saving you money when all is said and done. It also makes the transition from crib to “big kid bed’ much simpler.
Also, choose storage solutions that will last through toddlerhood. A great example of this that I’ve seen is a changing table that eventually can be taken apart, converting to two pieces; a toy box and book shelf.
Don’t let designing your future child’s space intimidate you. Take it little by little and have fun!
Kylie Worthington is a freelance writer and young mom of one little boy named Mercury with another on the way. She and her husband, Kent, live in the Midwest and are working with Mercury to create a great shared space for him and the new baby using Disney cars bedroom decor.