Getting your baby’s nursery underway may be a little stressful when you don’t know where to begin, and stress is something you definitely want to cut down on, right? Sit back comfortably and read through these tips on how to design a beautiful, safe and functional bedroom for your little sweetheart. You’ll be ready to hit the stores before you can say Jack Robinson!

Most parents are really excited about this project, but planning a nursery might be an overwhelming experience, especially if you’re expecting your first baby. It’s easy to want the best for your little miracle, and obstacles will most probably arise, be it budget constraints, space limitations or simply shopping disappointments.

A perfect baby deserves a perfect bedroom, and no parents should actually be blamed for thinking that way. However, trust those who have already been there – a beautiful design matters most before the baby appears. Once you are faced with daily care and nursing routines, you’ll become the greatest advocate of functionality over aesthetics.

The crib might look fabulous next to the window, but is that really a suitable place for it (think drafts)? You may have splurged on a luxury bedding set, but do you realize that spit ups and stains are a fact of life? Those overlapping sheer curtains do look awesome, but will they block enough light during your baby’s afternoon naps? And finally, does that stunning vintage crib meet modern safety standards?

{Source: project nursery}

Parents must remember that a “perfect” nursery is not about fanciful wallpaper, a collection of cute furniture, and well-coordinated  accessories. It won’t really matter to an infant whether the bedding set matches the curtains. What does matter is your baby’s safety and your comfort, so make sure you don’t make mistakes that can have big consequences for both of you.

Before you set off on a shopping spree, take a moment to study the dos and don’ts concerning basic nursery equipment and layout. By planning ahead you can prevent dangerous accidents and save yourself time, money and effort. Here’s what you will need:

CRIB

Your baby will spend a lot of time in the crib, and you won’t be able to have him or her under your vigilant eye all the time. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that the piece is as safe as it is beautiful.

• The slats of the crib shouldn’t be horizontal. Otherwise, your baby will sooner or later see it as an incentive to climb and use the slats as a convenient ladder.

• Be sure none of the slats are more than 2.4 inches apart – this will prevent the baby from getting his or her head stuck. You can perform the so-called Coke can test: if a standard size soda can fits through the slats, the crib does not meet the CPSC’s safety regulations.

• Give the crib a thorough check. Make sure all the screws are tight, the surface is smooth (you will have to frequently check for chips, splinters and peeling paint), and there is no more than one fingerwidth between the edge of the mattress and each side of the crib.

• Avoid putting the crib right next to the window, where it can receive direct sunlight or streetlight and where there might be drafts. It is best to have it close to the door for easy access in the middle of the night.

• Do not hang any shelving and frames above the crib! If you want to give your baby some visual stimulation, go for wall stickers.

• If you can’t afford a brand new crib or want to incorporate an adorable antique find, remember that safety standards are much more rigorous today than they were years ago. Visit the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to learn about current crib safety regulations and product recalls.

{Source: Houzz}

CHANGING TABLE

• It is most convenient to put the changing table close to the crib. You don’t want to carry the baby across the room at night and trip over toys left on the floor.

• Choose a table that has easily accessible drawers and shelves – this way you will have all necessary supplies at hand and won’t have to leave the baby on the table unattended to reach anything.

• For maximum safety, choose a table that features safety straps.

• Think about hygiene.  Always have antibacterial gel and paper towels ready next to the changing table to prevent contamination. Also, it is wise to have some sort of a plan on what you are going to do with heavily soiled clothes and dirty diapers – you don’t want to leave them lying around until you finish dressing the baby.

NURSING STATION

Some moms say that nursing chairs are a useless luxury that only clutters up space; others can’t imagine breastfeeding without it. The needs for comfort during nursing may differ among women, but it is true that a well-chosen nursing chair can greatly improve the experience, especially if you are planning to continue breast feeding for longer than the first six months.

• If there is a window, try to put the chair next to it so you can have some distraction while nursing.

• Look for chairs with soft, padded arms for increased comfort and side pockets for storing accessories – it’s really helpful to have all nursing supplies at arm’s reach. Also, think of adding an end table with ample drawers for storing accessories you prefer to keep out of sight.

• Consider placing a small lamp on your end table – as you gain experience in breastfeeding, it will be almost automatic, but the beginnings might be hard so it’s better to see what you’re doing when you nurse at night.

• Make sure the chair is upholstered in spot cleanable fabric.

• If you want to get a recliner, make sure you can operate it with ease when you’re holding a baby in your arms.

{Source: Houzz}

STORAGE

• Parents virtually always underestimate storage needs. Babies accumulate stuff in no time, really, so whatever you believe to be the necessary amount of storage space, create twice that much.

• Make sure you have a lot of drawers in the nursery. First of all, it will be easier to organize baby clothes by size and put them away until the right time comes. Also, you might prefer to keep certain accessories out of sight. Much as nipple creams, nursing bra pads and breast pumps are a natural part of early motherhood, you may not want everyone who enters the room see them.

LIGHTING

• Install flexible lighting. You will want it bright for some daily care routines, and very soft for late-night feedings. Ideally, provide more than one source of light.

• Don’t put intense overhead lighting fixtures directly over the crib. The best option next to the crib is a small lamp with soft light for tranquil story time or middle of the night check ups.

BLINDS

• Do install blinds or blackout curtains. Sheers are sweet and romantic, but they will not protect your baby from sunlight and heat. Preventing the room from becoming too hot during the day is an important step in decreasing the risk of SIDS, plus the darker it is, the longer and more comfortably the baby will sleep.

• Make sure your window dressing poses no strangling hazard or risk of head injuries. Eliminate any free hanging cords or strings and fix curtain hardware in such a way that a tug on the fabric will not send the whole thing toward your baby’s head.

{Source: Houzz}

SOME OTHER DOS AND DON’TS

• Childproof the room. Safety is a priority you need to keep in mind all the way through the design process. If you believe some things can be adjusted later on as the baby starts to crawl – abandon this idea! There will be no time for that, and it may turn out that you have to replace certain items because they cannot be adequately childproofed.  Cover electrical outlets, tuck away cords, make sure window dressings are properly installed, secure furniture to the walls and area rugs to the floor to prevent slips. And never keep ointments, medicines and lotions in the bottom drawers or anywhere within your baby’s reach.

• Install a ceiling fan. There are at least two benefits to installing a fan. Most importantly, it is reported that it reduces the risk of SIDS by over 70%. Moreover, fans block outside noises nicely and most children simply adore their whooshing sound.

• Installing wood flooring instead of wall to wall carpeting.  Large carpets harbor allergens, so hardwood floor and removable area rugs are definitely a better bet for a baby nursery.

• Prevent VOC exposure.  It is important to finish all painting and decorating at least eight weeks before the big day and leave windows open to air out new  furniture and accessories. Leave the drawers and cabinets open and don’t store any baby clothes in them until the last moment. The same applies to baby bedding – don’t set it up until the mattress is free from toxic fumes.

• See the big picture.  Make sure there’s enough room to replace the crib with a bed once your baby is old enough for the transition. How are you going to fill the space that’s left when you remove a changing table or a nursing chair? Is there going to be enough room to store all the toys your child gets for all sorts of occasions? Planning ahead can sometimes save a lot of money.

{Source: Houzz}

NURSERY STYLE

Now that we have discussed the practicalities, it is time to embrace your aesthetic preferences. Some parents will be happy to let their “inner designers” run wild, other will still be confused and unsure of where to start. Here are some tips that might help:

• If you haven’t been blessed with a sense of design, try to choose a specific style. Not that it is necessary. The baby will not care at all. The thing is that narrowing down your focus will help you navigate the seas of options and make choices easier.

• Treat the nursery like the continuation of your home. If you’re into Scandinavian minimalism, don’t force yourself to fit the stereotypical baby bedroom criteria (check out our Black And White Nursery Ideas).

• Don’t act on the impulse to pinkify you little girl’s room – it is not a rule and she will not grow into a tomboy if you paint the walls blue! Whether you know your baby’s gender or not, you might want to go for neutral colors like beige, yellow, white, gray or pale green.

• Consider a nursery theme. Decorating with a nursery theme – butterflies, cartoon characters, chevrons, floral motifs – is a fun idea that will stimulate you baby, but do think long term. Plan a room that works for a newborn, a one year old and even beyond that. Redecorating every few months is rarely an option.

• Choose textiles before paint. You know that frustrating feeling when absolutely nothing you find in stores matches your paint job? Spare yourself that stress and work the other way round. With the mind-boggling choice of paint colors, it’s so much easier to choose textiles first and then look for matching paint.

• Decorate the ceiling and the area next to the changing table. Since babies spend a lot of time on their backs, it is a good idea to give them something occupying to look at. Use colorful decals on the ceiling (you can easily change them) and add lots of personal accents on the walls (just don’t hang picture frames directly above the crib!) for your little one to have some stimulating distraction.

• Keep the room simple and uncluttered. Chaos is not the kind of stimulation that your baby will benefit from.

INSPIRATIONS

Here are some adorable nursery designs that you might find inspiring. Mind you, these are just style ideas – a lot of these examples do not reflect the above mentioned design tips.

{Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}