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A few minutes seems like forever as you wait to see the results. A few more moments and… pregnant! You’re going to be a new parent, whether it’s your first child or your fourth. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.
With a new baby on the way, it’s time to start planning the nursery design. You want to give your baby the best nursery imaginable. Maybe you weren’t able to do this for your other children, or it’s your first, and you’re not sure where to begin.
Either way, it’s important to note that the nursery is not only a space for your baby but also a space for you. The nursery is the room where you’ll bond most with your little one. Make it an environment that’s welcoming and soothing for everyone.
Setting up a nursery takes a bit of planning but will turn out beautiful when following these guidelines below.
1. Don’t Skimp on the Crib
The crib is the biggest furniture item in the nursery. It’s the most important part of the room because it’s where your baby will sleep at night, nap during the day, and rest while snuggled next to their favorite toy. When searching for a crib, it’s okay to choose the top of the line.
You don’t want to skimp on the crib. Find one that’ll complement the overall look you’re going for, or find one that you love and then design around it.
Keep in mind that you want a high-quality product as your baby will chew on, spill, and have accidents in the crib.
You can also consider purchasing a crib that grows with your baby, which will save you money in the long run, especially if the crib is of good quality. Buying a crib that transitions to a toddler bed and then into a day bed will last years.
2. Allow Darkness During the Day
You want to create the perfect environment for your baby, and that includes both daytime and nighttime. When your baby lays down for a nap, they might not feel as tempted to close their eyes and rest if the room is brightly lit.
To help your baby take longer and more fulfilling naps, you should find some ways to prevent the sunlight from coming in during nap time.
Natural light is great, so you don’t want to block it out all the time. Blackout curtains are a good option as they can help keep the room dark and cool even during the day.
You can also consider placing a light tint on the windows, which will also aid in this but will still allow a good amount of light to come through.
3. Place Essentials Near the Changing Table
You can purchase a changing table, or you can place a changing pad on top of a dresser. The right decision is whichever is more convenient for you and the amount of space in the room. Either will work fine.
What matters most is that you place all the essentials near the changing table. It’s quite frustrating to have a baby on the changing table but then realize you need to grab the lotion or cream across the room.
Keep all creams, lotions, medications, diapers, wipes, clothes, hats, socks, nail clippers, a distraction toy, and everything else right next to the changing table or pad. Keep everything you need in the top dresser drawers or in the changing table drawers.
4. Baby Proof Everything
Let’s not forget that babies grow fast. Before you know it, your once motion-limited infant will become a mobile five-month-old. Because of this, you want to baby-proof everything.
All large furniture items should be anchored to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if your baby were to pull on them. All sharp corners should be guarded, and all products should be kept at an unreachable height.
You can follow some of the tips listed in the best baby proofing guide to ensure you don’t miss a single thing.
5. Select Crib Bedding and Go From There
The bedding you choose for the crib should match the crib itself, but it should also provide you with that warm and cozy feel you want to give to your baby. Once you find a crib bedding set that you like, the real decorating begins.
Allow the bedding to set the tone for the rest of the nursery. For example, if you have baby forest creatures on the bedding, then you can design the rest of the nursery around this same theme.
Many crib bedding sets are part of an overall nursery set, and you can most likely find other items that go with that exact set, such as a lamp and more.
6. Choose a Comfortable Rocking Chair
The rocking chair you choose for the nursery should fit the design and should be comfortable. You’re going to spend a lot of time sitting in this chair, rocking your baby, and yourself to sleep. You’ll feed in this chair, sing in this chair, and relax in this chair.
Make sure you sit in it and test it out before making a final decision. You also want to find one that’s easy to clean. Check out the material on the rocking chair before making the purchase.
Babies aren’t always the cleanest little guys, and an accident or spill on the chair is almost inevitable. If the material doesn’t wipe clean easily, then you’ll have a stain-filled rocking chair before you even get the chance to really enjoy it.
7. Install Dimmable Lighting
Lighting in the nursery is important, whether it be at night or during the day, for playtime, naptime, or bedtime. Having dimmable lights will make the nursery much more parent-friendly. If you want to check in on your baby while she sleeps, you can raise the lights just a tad without having to turn them on completely.
The opposite is true for at bedtime. During bedtime, you can dim the lights down while you read a book and rock your baby. When it’s time for bed, you can also choose to leave the lights on just a tad for a nightlight effect.
The choice is yours, but you’ll be glad you have the choice. Be sure to place a cute lamp and nightlight in the room as well.
8. Have Plenty of Storage Options
Storage is necessary when you have children. Your baby most likely already has more clothes, shoes, and other items than you do. Where are you going to put all this stuff?
There’s no way it’s all going to fit in the closet. You need to have plenty of storage options in the nursery to ensure there’s a spot for everything. Install open bookshelves on the wall for books and knick-knacks.
Install built-in storage as well to save space. Investing in storage and organization bins for the closet is also a good idea.
9. Hang a Variety of Decor
You want your baby’s nursery to feel loving. You don’t want blank, cold walls. Hang up a variety of decor.
You’ll want some pieces that match the bedding, and then you’ll also want to hang up more personal items. Family pictures, framed notes or drawings, and other personal items are all wonderful pieces to hang.
You can also consider hanging up the baby’s name in wooden letters.
10. Lay Hardwood Flooring With a Cozy Rug
The carpeting might be easier on the feet, but it’s not easy on the eyes or the air when it’s full of stains and trapped bacteria. Hardwood flooring is easier to keep clean and will look nicer for longer.
Place a cozy rug down on top of it to still keep that warm and comfy feeling. There are also baby mats that you can buy and install on top of the flooring if you’re worried about injuries. They’re fairly inexpensive and can simply be tossed and replaced when they get too dirty.
When your little one gets older, you can then remove the mats completely.
Your Baby’s Nursery Design Is in Your Hands
Following the tips listed in this guide will help you put together your baby’s nursery design, but the main thing to remember is that it’s all up to you. What are your own personal preferences?
What will make things easier for you and your baby? Keep these thoughts in mind and build from there.
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