In this blog, we’re going to share our tips and practical advice for designing a baby’s nursery.
Table of Contents
Invest In A Quality Crib
You may want to invest in a crib that can be converted into a toddler bed. This way the crib will last you for a few years. Plus, if you invest in a high-quality, sturdy crib, you will be able to use it if you have more children in the future.
You will also need a crib mattress that fits the crib perfectly, as well as fitted mattress sheets. Waterproof mattress sheets are great for protecting the mattress.
Focus On The Basics
When preparing for your baby’s arrival, the baby books, mummy blogs and even your friends and family will all offer their advice on what you’re going to “need”. For example, a mummy blog may say you should have both a crib and a Moses basket. Or your friend may swear by her ‘nappy disposal system’.
However, when designing your baby’s nursery, try to focus on the basics. Otherwise, you will end up wasting money on equipment you don’t need that takes up far too much space in the nursery.
The basics tend to include:
- Crib
- Nursing chair – A comfortable place for you to sit, that’s ideal for feeding and comforting your little one. Many parents prefer rocking nursery chairs.
- Changing table – A changing table with storage will come in handy. Alternatively, you can save space by having a changing mat on top of a chest of drawers.
- Clothes storage – For the first year or so, you’ll likely have tons of baby clothes in various sizes. Afterall, babies grow so quickly! A chest of drawers and a small wardrobe are ideal.
- Additional storage
- Bookshelf or wall shelves
Ensure There’s Plenty Of Storage
If you’d like to ensure your baby’s equipment and essential are all in one place, you’re going to need plenty of storage in your nursery.
If you have a built-in wardrobe or built-in cupboard space, it will be perfect for storing the bigger baby items, such as a baby bouncer or even the stroller, if it’s compact when folded.
You will also need storage for the smaller items, such as nappies, toys and blankets. Having plenty of storage ensures there’s no clutter or trip hazards in your baby’s nursery.
Think About The Lighting
When you’re putting your baby down for a nap during the day, the nursery should be dark enough to mimic night-time. Otherwise, your little one may not want to go to sleep!
Blackout blinds will be a great investment, particularly if they are well lined. They will block out any day light and help keep noise pollution to a minimum. In addition, switching on a gentle night light will help your baby realise it’s time to sleep.
Be Practical
We understand that you want your baby’s nursery to look beautiful, but it’s important to focus on practicality when designing the nursery.
For example, think carefully about where you are going to store the essentials. When using the changing table, you want everything from the nappy bags to the clean baby vests to be within arm’s reach.
Similarly, you will need to position the crib correctly when designing the nursery. It should be away from direct sunlight and never placed in front of a radiator. Plus, if you’re going to use night lights and/or baby monitors, you will need to have a plug socket nearby (but far enough away so your little one cannot reach it).
If you’re short on space in the nursery, try space-saving techniques. For example, choose a crib that has built in storage. Place a changing mat on top of a chest of drawers rather than buying a changing table. Choose wall shelves rather than a bookcase. You can also make use of the wall space with wall-mounted storage boxes.
Choose Neutral Tones
When choosing the décor of your baby’s nursery, aim for neutral tones. Soft, tranquil colours will create a calm and relaxing environment for both yourself and your little one.
Better yet, neutral tones make it easier to spruce up and adapt the nursery with age-appropriate accessories as your little one grows.