6 Tips to Designing the Perfect Nursery
There is such anticipation when you find out that you have a little one on the way! The growing family, the sweet baby snuggles to come, and the bond you can’t wait to form.
Even with all these things to look forward to, some of us can’t help but think of all there is to do to get ready! The announcements, birth plan, go-bags to pack, not to mention the nursery to design! These tasks can all be very overwhelming if you don’t know where to start!
To help make life and preparation a little easier, here are six things to guide your nursery designing process to make it the best nursery it can be.
1 . Baby Furniture
Of course there are the typical furniture pieces that aren’t easy to miss such as the crib and the changing table/dresser, but have you considered a changing table AND a dresser?
Many companies combine the two, but I have found that the extra storage was definitely needed. Plus, finding a changing table with a built-in laundry hamper was perfect! And have you considered a rocking chair or glider? This addition to a nursery is so helpful for those midnight feedings and sleepless nights! As an added bonus, arrange the room so the glider is near to the changing table shelves or dresser and you’ll have the perfect place to store any nursing or bottle-feeding needs such as burp cloths or receiving blankets!
2 . Blackout curtains
Having blackout curtains helps so much with keeping to a sleeping schedule.
I have found that they have helped my little one sleep sounder, longer, and have a happier wake up! If you find that he/she is sleeping longer than you’d like, just open the curtain or door to let some light in 5-10 minutes before you’d like them to wake up. It works like a charm!
3 . Wall Mural
While this isn’t a necessity, it does have developmental benefits for your child! Art can help with motor skills, language development, visual learning, inventiveness, and improved academic performance as well as simply inspire your child in an artistic nature! I had so much fun creating my baby’s mural. I felt it was something not so task oriented that I could do to prepare for his coming!
If you have a theme or just a favorite animal or scenery (such as mountain ranges) this would be a great time to dust off those old paint brushes and bring out your creative side! Not artistic? There is no shame in finding a picture to replicate and drawing it out on the wall before committing with the paint! Or, if you’d like to find an easier and faster way, there are murals out there available to purchase!
Did you also know that murals can give your child a sense of security and privacy? When their room is different from any other in the house, it can give the room a certain personal element that helps them feel like they have their own personal space and place to belong.
4 . Small, But Useful Gadgets
Sound machines, baby monitors, night light lamps and mobiles!
1. Sound machine:
I honestly thought these were kind of silly before I was a mom. But these are no joke! When my little guy was having trouble going to sleep, this helped him to calm down and get some rest. The best settings that worked for me were the waves and rain sounds! This is the one I use... the timer you can set is super helpful in preserving the batteries!
2. Baby Monitor:
When we bought our house, we specifically looked for one that was an open concept! With this, I figured I would be able to hear my baby anywhere in the house when he woke up! It was a nice thought, but no, I couldn’t! I was surprised that I could barely even hear him 2 rooms away! Baby monitors are definitely the way to go.
3. Night Light Lamp
One of the ways I built the excitement for baby’s coming, was creating a playlist of songs that I wanted him to listen to, such as; “Just Be You” by Anthem Lights and Sadie Robinson, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, and “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. I wanted to get a Bluetooth speaker that I could play these on for him. But I also needed a little night light that I could turn on and off for those middle-of-the night-feedings. What I found was 2-in-1! I ordered it from Amazon.com and absolutely love it! You can order it here.
4. Mobile
I never thought that mobiles actually had a purpose, I just thought that they were there for looks just because they were cute! When I was pregnant, my sister-in-law gave me a homemade one that played “You Are My Sunshine”. I have found that it is another helpful tool to make my life a little easier! The mobile is great for entertaining him in his crib when I am doing laundry or other housework upstairs, rather than toting his play mat all around the house.
5 . Organizational Helps
Little humans come with lots of little things, so organization is key! Here are 2 of things I use to organize in the nursery:
1. Pocket Shoe Organizer
This is amazing! It can store so many things. I put it on the inside of his closet door, so it doesn’t take up any extra space in the room. I store extra Pampers wipe packages, crib sheets, bath towels, bath soap, little baby shoes, etc. Clear pockets are ideal so you can see all the little items. I got mine from Walmart.
2. Drawer Organizer
This helps with organizing socks, mittens, hats, white onesies, etc. This one is also from Walmart!
6 . Wall Decor
The final and most important element to your child’s nursery is photographs! Did you know that psychologists say that family portraits printed in the home bring a sense of belonging and raises self-esteem in children? I have noticed that even as an infant, my little guy looks at the pictures of us on the walls. Not only does he stare at it, but I look forward to the day when he can show these portraits to his kids! Portraits are so important in capturing the moments of now because our babies grow so fast. Mommy & Me Portrait Studios does an amazing job at capturing these moments. You can check out the website here or follow them on Facebook by clicking here!
I hope these tips helped in your preparations!
Adding another member to your family is such a time to celebrate. Congratulations!
-Gabrielle Tanner, Photographer at Mommy & Me Portrait Studios