Congratulations on your pregnancy! You may be about half way through, or getting close to the end – or perhaps you’re just looking for a few ideas to brood over while you’re in the earlier stages. Whatever stage you’re at, when there’s a baby on the way; it pays to be prepared. After all, we never truly know when they’ll make their grand entrance!
It’s recommended that baby sleeps in your room for a least 6 months after birth, however everyone and every baby is different, so you should always speak to your healthcare professional if you have any questions.
It can be easy to get carried away with colour schemes and beautiful bassinets, cots and gorgeous flooring ideas, and if you’re ready to really decorate then take a look at this website for some amazing nursery flooring ideas.
Be practical
If you can, choose a quiet room close to your bedroom so you don’t have to walk far at night. Make sure that a cold room has adequate heating and a warm room has good ventilation. If the windows let in a lot of light, it may help your baby to sleep at night if you put black-out blinds or curtain linings up to keep the room dark.
Be consistent
Is your home style traditional, contemporary or a bit of this and a bit of that? Make sure your nursery design reflects your style and the decor you’ve chosen for the rest of your home. That way, it won’t look out of place and you won’t tire of it.
Keep it simple
With all the gorgeous nursery furniture and accessories out there, it’s easy to go over the top. So, think child-friendly, not childish. Keep it simple and decide on a single focus for the room early on – it could be a piece of furniture or artwork. If you go for a neutral background and mix in age-appropriate accessories, you probably won’t need to redecorate every few years.
Choose soft, tranquil colours
Think about using calm, nurturing colours. When your baby gets older, she’ll have her own ideas about her bedroom, so take this special time to think about what makes you feel relaxed. With the demands of a new-born, most mums need calm more than anything.
Think safety
Make sure that all your nursery furniture meets all the UK safety standards. Especially for cots, this ensures that the cot is deep enough, doesn’t have cut-outs or steps and that the bars are the correct distance apart.
Create a safe zone around the cot by positioning it away from windows, heaters, lamps, wall decorations and cords. Keep furniture that your baby could clamber onto away from the cot too.
Choose key pieces first
It sounds odd, but it’s a good idea to decide on your furniture pieces before you start decorating. Parents often choose colours first, but it’s easier and cheaper to match paint, fabrics and wallpaper to your key furniture pieces. You may need to purchase a couple of bassinets for different rooms. Take your time and make your research to make sure you find the right bassinet that will suit your needs and also is safe for your baby.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.