Top Tips For Decorating Your Baby’s Nursery

Last updated: December 19, 2023

From the moment you see the results of your pregnancy test until you welcome your new one into the world, you’re faced with a neverending to-do list. After all, not only do you have to choose the perfect name for your little one, but you’ve also got to prepare for their arrival as much as possible. 

However, in addition to reading parenting books or attending classes, you also need to babyproof your home and design their room/nursery.

In this article, we’ll share some top tips for designing the perfect, peaceful nursery for your baby! 

Ask for help.

Buying furniture and baby supplies can quickly get expensive – which is perhaps why money is often such a big concern for expecting parents. However, it’s important to remember that you do not have to source everything independently.

You could ask friends and family to contribute to your baby’s nursery by asking for specific baby shower gifts, such as baby monitors, bassinets and more. 

In some cases, friends and family members may also be able to give you second-hand furniture that their children have outgrown, cutting down your expenses quite considerably.

Alternatively, you can buy some of these supplies second-hand online or in local charity stores.

Invest in their comfort. 

While it’s easy to focus on how the room looks – for example, you may want to decorate by finding the perfect wall mural and hangings – comfort should be the #1 priority when designing a nursery.

After all, newborns “generally sleep 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period,” meaning their comfort should come first. 

For example, you should ensure you choose a mattress that not only provides them with suitable support but one that is soft and comfortable, too, such as the Newton mini crib mattress. 

Choose a pastel color scheme. 

Choosing a color scheme for your nursery can make it easier to pick out furniture, decor or other supplies such as paint and wallpaper. However, you may want to use color theory (otherwise known as color psychology) to your advantage when doing so. 

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, color theory studies explore how our brains automatically (and subconsciously) associate specific colors with certain emotions or feelings.

For example, according to Home and Gardens, “pale blue is said by sleep experts to be the best color for a bedroom (for babies or adults) because it creates a restful atmosphere that helps you sleep better.” Other popular colors include: 

• Yellow
• Pink
• White
• Orange

Buy furniture that is easy to clean. 

Spoiler alert: babies are messy. This likely means that every piece of furniture within their nursery is going to get dirty.

For this reason alone, it’s important that you buy products that are easy to wipe clean, saving yourself a lot of time and energy while also ensuring your room is as hygienic as possible.

For example, you should purchase a mattress with a removable cover or add a mattress protector before laying your baby down to sleep. This way, any accidents can be cleaned up quickly without fuss. 

Invest in storage. 

Between clothes that they’ll soon be too big for, diapers and other supplies, you’ll be surprised by just how much clutter can accumulate within a nursery. As a result of this, you should invest in a wide range of storage containers so that you’re able to declutter while also making it easier to find what you are looking for.

For example, you could purchase a traditional toy chest to store all their toys and games and a chest of drawers for their clothing.

If you’re short on space, try looking for storage units that serve dual purposes. For example, you could buy a chair with built-in storage beneath the cushion or hang shelves along the walls. 

Make it cozy. 

As mentioned above, it’s crucial that you create the right kind of atmosphere within your nursery. After all, you want this to feel like your child’s safe space, the place where they can easily drift in and out of sleep.

You can make a room feel more cozy through your finishing touches; such as blankets, throws, pillows and plushies. 

Keep it stimulating. 

Babies develop an incredible amount of skills during the first few months of their lives, which is why it’s important that their home environment is as stimulating as possible. As such, you should try to design a nursery that “nurtures and encourages your child’s development.” 

For example, hanging a mobile over their crib not only provides them with visual stimuli, but the accompanying sounds can also expose them to new sensory experiences. So, too, can the soft texture of the mobile.

Keep safety in mind. 

Babies are naturally inquisitive, and as soon as they learn to crawl, there’s no stopping them as they set off on adventures throughout the house. This means that you need to keep safety in mind when designing your nursery. For example, you should install child locks on cabinets and cupboards and baby gates at the entrance to the room.

Baby monitors are also a worthwhile investment, helping you to closely monitor your child when you are not in the same room. This way, if they begin to cry, you can respond quickly and effectively – even when plagued by lack of sleep! 

Think of yourself, too. 

From late-night feeds to early-morning cuddles, you’ll likely spend a great deal of time in your child’s nursery, too.

As such, you should make sure that this is also a nice place for you to spend time in. For example, you may want to purchase a comfortable chair so that you have a place to sit when helping your child drift off to sleep in your arms. This way, you’re not standing up for hours on end or leaning over the crib.

Design a “transitional” space.

Unfortunately, babies do not stay babies forever.

Before you know it, they’ll be walking about and talking! For this reason, and for the sake of your budget, it’s important that you design a nursery that is transitional – for example, a space where only a few minor changes are needed in order for it to become a toddler’s room rather than a nursery.

This could be achieved by opting for a simplistic color scheme rather than a specific theme. This way, as your child develops their own likes (and dislikes), this can be reflected within their bedroom by your choice of finishing touches, such as posters, prints and artwork, rather than anything that is a permanent fixture.  

Bring in the professionals. 

While decorating the nursery gives you something to do and can give you something practical to focus on while awaiting the arrival of your baby, it’s important to note that some things are best left to the experts. After all, you’ve likely got enough on your plate without having to start repainting walls or laying down flooring.

As such, while hiring someone to decorate the nursery does come at an extra expense, it can save you a great deal of time and energy (something which you’ll be thankful for when the baby comes around).

Final Thoughts. 

In short, there are many steps you can take to design the perfect nursery for your child. However, it’s important that you focus on comfort and functionality over the actual aesthetics! 

You should also remember that the most important thing is that your child is coming to a welcoming, loving home – which means that you don’t need to spend a fortune on decorating their bedroom!