There are many stressful parts that come with expecting a child. Making a happy space for your baby doesn’t need to be one of them. Here at Little Lucy Willow, we hope that these tips for designing a child’s nursery will help make it an easy and enjoyable process for you! This process should be a fun way to get even more excited about the baby’s arrival and a way to feel prepared and relaxed about it.
You are going to be spending a lot of time in your child’s nursery so you want it to be a place that makes you relax and smile. And that is the most important thing to remember while designing your child’s nursery!
The Crib
The crib is definitely the most important element of a nursery. You may think a temporary item is not worth investing in but many children sleep in their cribs for up to three years. Also remember that if you are planning on having more children, you will be able to use this important piece of furniture multiple times. Make sure the crib you buy has all the mandatory health and safety standards. Safety standards have evolved greatly over the last decade, and since a crib is a place you will leave your baby alone in it is worth the peace of mind to buy a good quality baby crib.
When it comes to styling, choose a crib that matches your personal taste while also being highly functional. If you are going to have more children in the future, keep it neutral and timeless so that crib remains a piece you enjoy. Good design is always thinking ahead, especially where children are involved! There are cribs available these days that convert to toddler beds and even to full-size beds so this is another great option to explore to extend your investment.
Storage
Babies and children require a lot of stuff. That means storage in their rooms is of the highest importance. Toys, diapers, clothes, etc., it all needs to go somewhere. Choose storage solutions that will fit your current needs and your future ones. Fill your nursery with storage pieces that can grow with your child and don’t have too much of a ‘baby’ feel. Consider installing wall shelves near your changing station to store supplies that need to stay out of your baby’s reach like lotions, medications, nail clippers, etc. Adding bins and baskets to shelving is a great way to separate and organise all the various supplies that are needed for a baby.
Decor
Once you have selected and installed the functional pieces in your nursery you can start to decorate the space. This is the really fun part where you can add some personality to the space. For example, by adding a rug to the room you can add some playful colour, pattern and/or texture. Having a rug in a nursery is also very practical as it will cushion the baby as they learn to sit, crawl, and walk. Just remember to make sure whatever rug you choose, that it is easy to clean because you will definitely be cleaning it a lot. Remember that a nursery needs to be practical but it should also be a personal and beautiful space. It doesn’t have to scream “baby”, but rather should be an extension of your family’s taste and style. Also, remember that babies spend the majority of their time on their backs so don’t overlook the ceiling. Consider painting it a happy colour or enhancing the theme with a mural or decals.
Linen & Curtains
Linen and curtains are a great way to incorporate a fun theme or build a colour palette for a space. It is important to look for bedding that is soft and 100% cotton to keep your baby’s sensitive skin happy. Curtains are a very important part of a nursery’s design as you will want your baby to nap during the day. So make sure to buy blackout shade or choose curtains with a built-in blackout liner so that you are able to darken the room during naptime.
A helpful tip is to remember that it is easier to first choose your textiles and then buy paint to match. You don’t want to struggle to match colours or limit your linen options by your choice of paint colour.
We hope these tips will help you create a beautiful and relaxed space for you and your bundle of joy. If you fill your nursery with things that make you happy, the end result will make you happy and that is what is most important during this beautiful journey!