Creating the perfect room for your new or expectant baby is an exciting time, though it may seem daunting and a little stressful, especially if you don’t have much experience in design.
Whether you are fully renovating an old space or giving the walls a fresh lick of paint, there’s plenty of different things to take into consideration to ensure you get it just right.
The leading baby retailer, Kiddies Kingdom, reveals seven important things to consider when creating the perfect sanctuary for your little one.
- Take time to plan
It is important to have a rough concept in mind before you get stuck into decorating your nursery. When picking out colours and tones, request swatches and samples of paints and carpets to help you visualise your concept before making any final decisions. Similarly, when looking at key purchases like cots and bedroom furniture, take some time to browse online reviews and forums to ensure you’re getting quality as well as style.
If you’re a sucker for a mood board, Pinterest is a great way to bring everything together side by side, as well as allowing you to steal inspiration from others!
- Space for mum and dad
Your baby’s nursery is not just space for them to sleep, it is also a place for parents to relax and unwind. When picking out nursery furniture, incorporate a comfortable chair or seating area for you to rest when feeding or soothing your baby. If you are on a tight budget, upcycling is an affordable way to breathe new life into existing furniture. Sanding, painting and reupholstering an old wooden rocking chair, could make for a great spot for you to relax.
- Consider neutral colours
If you are planning for the gender of your baby to be a surprise, then choosing a colour scheme may be easier said than done. Nude and white tones are perfect for creating a peaceful, tranquil space and allow you to add bursts of colour at a later date without having to completely redecorate.
If you know the gender of your baby, you don’t just have to stick to pink and blue. Neutral-coloured, stylishly decorated nurseries are bang on trend at the moment and will see your child through to early years or even to subsequent babies thereafter.
- Room to grow
Designing a nursery that will suit your child as they grow, will save you both time and money in the long run. Where possible, opt for styles and products that will see your child through to their early years, for example, source a Moses basket that expands into a crib or a changing table that doubles up as a chest of drawers.
- Add texture
Textures and tones are a great way to freshen up any nursery. In general, it is best to stick to three statement materials in any one room – for example, a beaded wall hanging would work well alongside a woollen rug and a wicker basket. Aside from accessories, indoor plants are a great way to add a pop of greenery and texture into space, and this is no different for a nursery. For a low maintenance option, indoor faux foliage is an easy, affordable alternative to real plants.
- Incorporate storage
Although babies don’t take up a lot of space, the stuff they require will, so having adequate storage is key. If space is tight, invest in a changing table with shelves below to store essentials like wipes, nappies and towels. Open shelves are a stylish way to store toys or ornaments without taking up any floor space. Make sure to baby-proof your floating shelves with a horizontal bar or clear edge, to prevent items from falling.
Solutions like baskets and boxes are useful for storing an overflow of blankets and clothes in the early months, and eventually to fill with toys. Where possible, make storage accessible to your child, so as they grow, they can use them too, helping them feel independent and involved.
- Utilise light
No matter space, incorporating both artificial and natural light will add vibrance to any room. When designing your nursery, utilise natural light where possible, as this will make it instantly more inviting, but make sure you have adequate curtains or blinds in place for when your baby is napping mid-day. Made to measure blinds will allow you to control the amount of light let into the room at any time, creating a cosy sanctuary for your baby all day long.
Whether you’re tweaking a previous bedroom or starting from scratch, be sure to take time to plan, shop around and visualise your nursery before making any important decisions. Getting a head start early on will prevent any hiccups later down the line!
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