A Neutral Nursery: Where to Start
To begin your neutral palette, start with neutral walls and build from there. Gender-neutral colors include white, beige, earth tones, warm browns and grays are great hues to begin with and make a great backdrop. Also think about the ceiling and its relation to the walls. Of course, you can leave the ceiling as is, or, for contrast, paint it in a totally different color. Painting the ceiling darker than the walls gives the room a cozier, more intimate feeling, as demonstrated above with the soft beige walls and ash gray ceiling. However, don’t go too dark or the room may feel claustrophobic. Find opportunities to add decorative or other objects throughout the room to complement these colors for an overall cohesive look.
Paint fumes can linger and cause harm to sensitive systems. Before starting your nursery painting project, ensure that you’re using non-toxic paint with zero-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or low-VOCs.
Cribs
A must-have in any nursery is a good crib. This is where your precious baby will sleep. While you might be tempted to purchase a crib that’s adorned with knickknacks and cute cutouts, skip the visual thrills. Instead, look for a crib that’s safely constructed. The crib’s slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent the baby’s head from accidentally getting stuck between them. The sides of the crib should remain stationary, and the side rails shouldn’t drop.
Most cribs come with mattresses to ensure a perfect fit for the crib. If the crib you purchase doesn’t come with a mattress, look for one that fits snugly within the crib’s frame. You shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the frame. If so, the mattress is too small.
Chairs
Choosing a chair for your nursery is important because it’s likely one that you’ll be spending a lot of quality time in. It should be one that’s comfortable and sturdy. There are many types of chairs from which to choose, including rocking chairs and accent chairs.
Rocking Chairs
The nursery is a special place for parents to spend time with their child as they enjoy the comfort of a rocking chair. Whether you chose a mid-century modern rocker or you favor a more contemporary style, you’ll love the gentle rocking motion that helps calm the baby down and lull her to sleep. For additional support, look for ergonomically designed rocking chairs with high backrests and armrests.
Accent Chairs
While a rocking chair is undoubtedly the best seat in the house, it may not always be the first choice for a nursery. Sometimes you just want a comfortable chair to sit in. A warm yellow tufted or rose red chair both complement the neutral theme as well as the ceiling by adding a pop of color without being excessive.
Lighting
Natural light is important in a nursery. It helps regulate a baby’s circadian rhythm and establish a sleep-wake cycle. However, light control is also important for the nursery. Whether by natural or artificial light, lighting should follow a natural cycle of light during the day and darkness at night.
The best light fixtures to have in a nursery are ceiling mount, wall mount (sconces) or table lamps. These pose the least tripping hazard. Choose light bulbs that cast a soft and inviting glow. Adding a dimmer switch gives you control over the brightness level as you need it, which is helpful during nap time, diaper changing, late night feedings, etc.
Some light bulbs can emit heat, which can be dangerous around infants, toddlers and children. LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs have lower heat levels and are cool to the touch.
Wall Art
Bring walls to life with eye-catching designs that complement the room’s comfort without feeling too busy. Keep it neutral or add decorative wall art to enrich the neutral color theme. Adorable animals are always a popular choice for a nursery.
Storage Baskets
Storage baskets are versatile and handy to have around the home and can be both decorative and functional in the nursery. Natural fiber baskets like wicker, rattan, water hyacinth and sea grass, are availability in various shapes and sizes and let you organize in style. Store clothes, diapers and wipes, blankets, lotions and other toiletries, toys and much more.
Dressers and Changing Tables
When is a changing table more than just a changing table? When it provides storage as well. A dresser with a changing table on top makes it easier for new moms and dads. In a nursery, space may be at a premium. A dresser/changing table combo saves space and helps keep you organized by storing items like diapers, towels, wipes and other essentials at your fingertips.
If you prefer a separate dresser and a freestanding-mount changing table, look for a changing table that’s a good height with protective barriers on all four sides of at least two inches to make it harder for your baby to roll off.
Although dresser/changing table combos are convenient, be extremely careful when your baby is on the changing pad. Never leave your baby unattended and keep one hand on your baby at all times.
Play Time
When babies transition from infants to toddlers, they begin to experience the world around them in whole new ways. They begin to discover new things like colors and shapes. They need somewhere to channel their energies. Play time at their own little desk, in their own little chair will make them feel like a big boy or girl. Make this time special for them.
Other Things You Can Do to Create a Neutral Nursery
A neutral nursery allows you to skip gender stereotypes and create a room that promotes relaxation and comfort for parents and babies. A few more things you can do to create a neutral nursery are below.
- When choosing a neutral rug, look for one made of natural fibers like cotton, jute, wool or hemp as they are typically nontoxic (check the tag to be sure). Of course, you’ll want to ensure that whatever rug you choose, the material isn’t prickly and doesn’t scratch or irritate the skin.
- Create a neutral accent wall. There are a variety of methods you can use to create this, including painting the wall a different color, or using moulding, shiplap or wallpaper. Peel and stick wallpaper is a timesaver and makes installing and removing easier than any other method.
- Choose neutral decor for your nursery, like a wall-mounted wood-framed mirror, wall-mounted shelving, etc.