Find a Nursery Theme
First off, you don’t need a theme if you don’t want one. The biggest secret no one tells you about decorating your baby’s room is that it’s not about what they like. They don’t have preferences just yet. Choose colors and décor that you like and go from there. Between changing, nursing and putting baby down to sleep you’ll be logging a lot of time in this room. You might as well enjoy it.
A benefit of a nursery theme is that it makes décor and color choices easier. Get inspired by children’s books, artwork or social media sites like Pinterest. A theme can help develop a color palette and help guide the direction of the furniture. Or try a loose interpretation of a theme, you don’t have to make everything fit the nursery theme. It can be more abstract too.
Choose a Baby Crib
When you’re thinking about home décor, the focus is on looks. But when it comes to cribs, looks are secondary to safety. Choose a baby crib that meets the highest safety standards for both construction and materials. It might not seem like it at first, but that newborn eventually grows and ends up chomping on their crib bars. You want to make sure the crib is covered in baby-safe paint.
Cribs come in a standard design so it’s the little details that make a difference. Traditional style baby cribs feature more detail, like a beadboard-style backing, curves and rounded legs. If you’re looking for a more modern style, opt for clean lines, neutral colors or light wood tones. Think beyond this baby too. Baby cribs are an investment. If you can use it for baby number two or if it can convert into a toddler bed, it will last for years.
Don’t Forget the Crib Mattress
Surprise! That crib doesn’t come with a mattress. Thankfully shopping for a crib mattress is easier than shopping for a normal mattress. There’s one size and babies don’t have quite the same needs as adults when it comes to support. Again, it’s all about safety. You want to make sure it meets all the safety requirements, is made from safe materials and fits snuggly into your crib. Look for GREENGUARD and JPMA certifications to help you make your decision. Any waterproof capabilities are a bonus—you never know what sorts of messes this crib will see.
Changing Table vs. a Dresser
There’s a lot of debate about whether a changing table is necessary. If you’re looking to save space and cut costs, a large-topped dresser can double as a changing table. Simply purchase a separate pad to change baby on that gets placed on top of the dresser. If you have the space, a changing table is a real luxury. Creating just one space where you can keep all your diapering essentials is awesome. Either way it’s all about your needs. The added benefit of a dresser is that it will grow with your child, lasting way longer than your last diaper change. Always make sure to adhere to all safety measures for your chosen furniture piece.
A Baby Monitor is a Must
Pick a Rug
Your baby’s room is a place you’re going to want to take your shoes off. A plush rug not only feels fantastic during those 4 a.m. feeds, but it also helps add softness to the space. It’s a great way to incorporate color and pattern too. In fact, a rug is a smart first purchase to make when designing a room. It helps set the tone and gives you an existing color scheme you can pull colors from for other décor items. Since a baby’s room is typically a shoes-off, low-traffic zone you have more flexibility in choosing a rug with a high pile or a playful shaggy texture. You want something nice and soft for tummy time.
Hang Blackout Curtains
Every parent wants to get as much sleep as possible. Once your little one gets into a sleep routine, blocking light helps make naps and nighttime sleep a little bit easier. Save yourself an extra step and choose curtains with blackout capabilities from the get-go. It’s so much prettier than hanging a separate light-blocking element over each window. Combining curtains and blinds not only adds privacy but a beautiful décor element as well. Blackout curtains help finish a space with color and texture. The thicker panels also keep drafts and chills at bay and help muffle outdoor noise.
Setup a Kids Bookshelf
You might have a few years before that tiny baby learns their ABCs but you can never start reading to them too early. Installing a bookshelf in their room not only gives you a place for all the baby books you’ll be gifted, but their colorful covers are a wonderful visual element. Putting books on display gets them excited about reading too. It’s only a matter of time before they start toddling over there and picking out a few board books to flip through.
Don’t Sleep on a Sound Machine
Another helpful tool for baby’s sleep is a sound machine. The soothing white noise helps lull your baby into a calm sleep state, while preventing noise from the rest of the house from disturbing them. Choose from models that are app-enabled so you can make adjustments right from your phone or opt for a version with a remote control. Either way this sleep tool will be something that grows with your child well into toddlerhood.
Layer Table Lamps
Ambient lighting makes a big difference in a baby’s room. You won’t want to always flick on an overhead light. Instead invest in a few table lamps with dimmers to give you plenty of options. Putting a table lamp on a nightstand by a daybed, near your rocking chair or on baby’s dresser gives you light whenever and wherever you need. Plus, as a decorative accent, it brings color, texture or a metallic finish to the room. It’s a pretty and functional asset.
Include a Laundry Hamper
You don’t want to get caught with dirty baby clothes and no place to put them. A laundry hamper helps keep baby’s room clean by giving you a designated place to put burp rags, onesies and baby’s towels. It’s always amazing how quickly someone so tiny can go through clothing. Instead of searching for those little socks, everything is in one place and easy to run down to the washing machine.