Design a Baby Nursery

Decorating a nursery (the baby's bedroom) doesn't need to be costly, difficult or picture-perfect. While there are many decisions to make, they're all very manageable and simple. This is a time of life when you're about to welcome a new and wonderful life into the house and it is important to view creating the nursery as a fun creative process that is totally yours to control rather than imposing any harsh expectations on yourself. Baby will love whatever you do!

Steps

Focusing on the essentials

  1. Give yourself time and freedom. If it's possible, try to plan well before the birth. This luxury isn't open to every new parent but if you do have time, starting early can ease your concerns about having too much to do. In terms of freedom, realize that there is no one right way to design a nursery other than ensuring that it is safe, warm and healthy. Decorative elements are completely up to you and you can have as much or as little in the nursery as you wish.
    • While it's fun to use sites like Pinterest to create a dreamboard nursery, be realistic. Time, financial and space constraints will end up dictating a lot of what you're able to do in the end; use your photos as general inspiration rather than absolute must-haves.
  2. Consider childproofing needs throughout the design and assembling process. This is the primary concern and the one thing on which you cannot compromise.
  3. Consider your budget. It's easy to want the best for the baby, and for some parents that may include providing a beautiful, new, well-coordinated nursery, but remember that it won't matter to the baby whether the area rug matches with the curtains. Stains are a fact of life, so focus on buying things that are functional first, beautiful second. When the baby spits up and has accidents, you want to focus on the child, not on how those sheets you spent so much money on are ruined.

    • Bear in mind that baby is only a baby for a short space of time. It may not feel like it now, but over-blowing the budget on baby gear and gadgets isn't really the best idea. Save your pennies for the growing child, who will cost you considerably more than baby. In this same vein, do not be ashamed to accept heirlooms and hand-me-downs. For example, a crib that gets passed around the family is great, provided it has been checked for safety prior to each use.

Designing the nursery

  1. Measure the room and write the measurements on a small card you can carry in your wallet. You will need these measurements when you go shopping for furniture, paint, etc. And if you happen to see something nice at a flea market you did not expect to visit, you can reach into your pocket for the measurement information.
  2. Plan the layout.

    • Consider putting the crib close to the entrance so that you don't have to walk around things or risk tripping over something when you come for the baby in the middle of the night. Avoid putting the crib right next to the window, where there might be drafts. Never place a crib near anything that dangles, like curtain or blind trimmings, as the baby can get caught up in these and choke.
    • Put the changing table close to the crib. When the baby has wet accidents, you don't want to carry him or her across the room.
    • If there is a window, think about putting the rocking chair or glider next to it so you can look outside. You could also get yourself a nice comfortable rocking recliner. By this window, make sure to get some contrasting curtains that go with the wall color to protect the baby from any bright light. Add a block out blind to help your baby sleep well during the day if the sun shines directly into the window.
    • Estimate how much storage you'll need, and create twice as much. The baby will accumulate more items than you may think. Do not place any shelving above the crib, where either the shelving or the things on the shelves might jostle and fall onto the baby.

Adding design elements

  1. Choose the near-bedtime lighting. It may be a good idea to switch off all lights in the room once the baby has been put in the crib, due to recent studies. (See link at bottom.) A dimmer switch, sconce, chandelier or nightlight - they are all among your options. Choose more than one if you like. Make sure you run any necessary wiring now before you start painting.
  2. Choose some flooring. Do you want it to match the rest of your home? Do you or your spouse have a history of allergies? If so, your baby might be susceptible too. Take this into account when you make your choice. Wall to wall carpet can harbor allergens, so a hardwood floor with a removable rug (which can be cleaned) might be your best bet.
  3. Work out a color scheme. This will be influenced by your nursery theme if you have chosen one. If you don't know the baby's gender, favor neutral colors like cream, yellow, beige, and pale green. Decide also whether or not you would like to decorate with a nursery theme. Anything goes, from cowboys to flowers, pirates to butterflies, or something more modern, such as blocks or stripes. Also consider how the room will be used in the future. Will you need to repaint the room once the child outgrows the theme?

Adding the nursery furniture

  1. Select a baby crib. The crib will form the focal point of your baby nursery. Take your time and choose wisely. Shape, style, finish and durability are among the factors you should consider. Be sure the slats of the crib are vertical, so the baby will be less likely to use the slats for climbing out. And be sure the slats are close enough together as not to allow the baby to get his or her head stuck. An easy guideline for this measurement: if a standard size soda can fits through the slats, they are too far apart. Newer models will incorporate both of these features, but if you using an old crib, you have to think about these things.
  2. Find baby nursery furniture to complement your crib. Essential furniture items include: a baby changing table; a very comfortable chair; a night stand or table, a nursery hamper and a clock if you are planning to breastfeed. Important safety note: Except for the chair, it is very important to secure all furniture to the wall. Your child will be old enough to pull down on an open drawer faster than you think. It is best to secure everything when you put it in the room. You can do this either with a strong nylon strap or an L bracket. First find a stud in the wall behind the piece of furniture. You can do this by taping with a hammer or by using an inexpensive stud finder. Chose a position on the upper side or top of the furniture where you can secure the strap or bracket to the stud.

Choosing final touches

  1. Hang decorations. It's time for that great baby nursery shopping spree you've been waiting for. Choose a mural, picture, and bedding. Buy stuff, sew stuff, glue stuff. Assemble the furniture in the nursery, if possible, so you don't have any issues with large items not fitting through the doorway. Let the room come alive. Remember to add essential equipment to your baby nursery:
    • A baby monitor to know when your baby gets upset.
    • Diapers, wipes, ointment, burp cloths, receiving blankets, backup outfits, and a toy or two in or near the changing table.
    • Garbage can (or a diaper disposal system that minimizes the smell) next to the changing table.
    • Beginning toys to play with, like rattles, teddy bears, or a mobile.

Tips

  • If you have a choice between several rooms in your house for the nursery, choose the one that is closest to yours so that you don't have to walk across the house in the the middle of the night.
  • Anything that is fabric should be washed a few times before using with a baby due to the use of formaldehyde.
  • Cover any electric outlets with plastic fasteners as a safety precaution.
  • Carefully research second-hand baby cribs. Safety standards are much more stringent today than they were years ago. Using a second-hand crib may put your baby's life in danger, but on many models you can determine if there are risks by checking for recall notices, and knowing the basics of crib safety, some of which are mentioned above.
  • Take your decorating project one step at at a time to avoid stress and anxiety. Decorating your baby room should be fun!
  • Keep in mind that some of the things you see when shopping may not be useful for very long. For example, a mobile for the baby will look very attractive to you, but might soon be ignored by the baby, so you can avoid those extras if you like.
  • Remember decorating your baby's room is optional. Your baby really doesn't care if the picture is hung perfectly.
  • Decorate the ceiling, too. Remember that your baby will spend a lot of time on his or her back, looking at the ceiling. Just be sure not to hang anything from the ceiling that could fall and hurt the child - stick to painted designs, stencils, or stickers.
  • Try to use low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints in your baby nursery. The chemicals released by standard paints can be harmful to your baby.

Warnings

  • Be aware of SIDS. With a crib, a baby should always be laid down on his back to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
  • Be aware of the recent massive recall of cribs with drop-down sides. There have been instances of infants who have suffocated because the latch has released and allowed the side to fall, trapping the baby with its face against the mattress.

Things You'll Need

  • Crib, crib mattress, waterproof mattress pad, crib sheets, crib skirt and bumper pad
  • Cotton blankets or sleep sack
  • Changing table
  • Diaper pail
  • Comfortable chair (rocking chair or recliner)
  • Nursing pillow
  • CD player or tape player to play soothing music for baby
  • Infant monitor
  • Toy chest basket with baby appropriate toys and mobile
  • Wall shelves or hooks for decorative items and stuffed animals
  • Paint, stickers or stencils to decorate walls
  • Window treatments
  • Clothes hamper
  • Lamp and night light
  • Humidifier

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Sources and Citations

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