10 Essential Decorating Ideas for a Nursery
If that pile of baby shower loot is giving you anxiety and you're drawing a total blank on decorating ideas for a nursery, take a breather. It is possible to create a peaceful and fun environment with simple home decor themes and ideas, and still have some money left over for the adorable baby cowboy boots you've been eyeing!
Setting up the nursery is an important part of preparing for your baby. So, take a deep breath, grab your nursery essentials checklist and start nesting!
(There are entire home decor websites dedicated to the nursery, so do a quick search online for style inspiration!)
1. Somewhere for baby to sleep. For the first few weeks, a bassinet or cradle will do, but eventually, you'll need a crib. Look for a crib that was built after 1991—when US crib safety regulations were made mandatory.
2. A comfy chair or rocker. You're going to be spending a lot of time in your rocker over the next few months, so choose one that won't leave you with a sore behind!
3. A baby monitor. Believe it or not, there will come a time when you don't want to run to the nursery forty times a day to check if she's awake.
4. Somewhere to change your baby. Sure, the bedroom floor or your bed is a great place for changing a newborn, but a changing a wiggling toddler is a totally different story. Protect your carpet, bedding and your back by investing in a sturdy changing table!
5. Diaper changing necessities. It may seem like a no-brainer, but having a stack of diapers, wipes and butt cream near the changing table is a nursery essential—'cause once you start changing a diaper, you can't walk away without carrying a half-naked baby with you!
6. A few sets of crib sheets. Buy at least five sets or risk spending your days folding and unfolding crib sheets. Between spit-up and diaper accidents, you'll be changing more sheets than the Holiday Inn.
7. Safety gear. Don't wait to baby-proof the place! Mobility will be here sooner than you know it, and you'll want to be sure your nursery is a safe place to explore. Invest in lots of outlet, corner covers and drawer locks.
8. Lots of clothes and toy storage. A wooden toy chest or a few wicker baskets can keep your nursery from looking like a baby store exploded. Flip through home decor magazines for multipurpose chests that will look stylish in any room of your house.
9. Decorations and a mobile. You don't have to buy an original Picasso or a crystal chandelier for your baby's nursery, but a few well-placed decorations and a fun mobile can make your nursery feel bright and homey. Add a colorful bumper to the crib, hang your favorite photos or prints on the walls—be creative!
10. A bouncy chair and activity mat. Most babies find mom or dad to be the best bouncy chair, but you may find a substitute handy when you need to get something done ... like going to the bathroom. And tummy time is way more fun on an activity mat that has colorful things to look at!
As long as you have a few nursery essentials and home decor themes in mind, setting up the nursery doesn't have to be a stressful ordeal. Save that energy for a time when you'll really need it—like her teen years.
report abuseSetting up the nursery is an important part of preparing for your baby. So, take a deep breath, grab your nursery essentials checklist and start nesting!
(There are entire home decor websites dedicated to the nursery, so do a quick search online for style inspiration!)
1. Somewhere for baby to sleep. For the first few weeks, a bassinet or cradle will do, but eventually, you'll need a crib. Look for a crib that was built after 1991—when US crib safety regulations were made mandatory.
2. A comfy chair or rocker. You're going to be spending a lot of time in your rocker over the next few months, so choose one that won't leave you with a sore behind!
3. A baby monitor. Believe it or not, there will come a time when you don't want to run to the nursery forty times a day to check if she's awake.
4. Somewhere to change your baby. Sure, the bedroom floor or your bed is a great place for changing a newborn, but a changing a wiggling toddler is a totally different story. Protect your carpet, bedding and your back by investing in a sturdy changing table!
5. Diaper changing necessities. It may seem like a no-brainer, but having a stack of diapers, wipes and butt cream near the changing table is a nursery essential—'cause once you start changing a diaper, you can't walk away without carrying a half-naked baby with you!
6. A few sets of crib sheets. Buy at least five sets or risk spending your days folding and unfolding crib sheets. Between spit-up and diaper accidents, you'll be changing more sheets than the Holiday Inn.
7. Safety gear. Don't wait to baby-proof the place! Mobility will be here sooner than you know it, and you'll want to be sure your nursery is a safe place to explore. Invest in lots of outlet, corner covers and drawer locks.
8. Lots of clothes and toy storage. A wooden toy chest or a few wicker baskets can keep your nursery from looking like a baby store exploded. Flip through home decor magazines for multipurpose chests that will look stylish in any room of your house.
9. Decorations and a mobile. You don't have to buy an original Picasso or a crystal chandelier for your baby's nursery, but a few well-placed decorations and a fun mobile can make your nursery feel bright and homey. Add a colorful bumper to the crib, hang your favorite photos or prints on the walls—be creative!
10. A bouncy chair and activity mat. Most babies find mom or dad to be the best bouncy chair, but you may find a substitute handy when you need to get something done ... like going to the bathroom. And tummy time is way more fun on an activity mat that has colorful things to look at!
As long as you have a few nursery essentials and home decor themes in mind, setting up the nursery doesn't have to be a stressful ordeal. Save that energy for a time when you'll really need it—like her teen years.
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