Nursery Ideas

For many women, the third trimester brings on an intense desire to start nesting—baby is on the way and you’re ready to make sure that he or she is coming into a safe, nurturing environment. While not every woman experiences this need to organize, prepare and decorate, it’s still a great time to start thinking about your baby’s nursery.

Here are some ideas to get started:

START BY LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION.

Whether you’re excited to make your baby’s room as creative as it can be, or if you’re just looking for the basics, there are plenty of places to look for baby room ideas. Try a place like Pinterest, where you can create your own board of things you like—everything from colors and teddy bears to furniture and accessories.

PICK YOUR PAINT.

Some parents choose to go the traditional blue or pink route, and others go for gender neutral colors like soft greens and yellows. Whatever you’re leaning towards, consider how the color and shade of the walls can impact your baby’s mood and habits:

  • Blue is a calming color. Lighter shades of blue are said to be peaceful and soothing for babies.
  • Green, especially in lighter shades, is one of the most relaxing colors. In the last few years, green paint has seen a great increase in popularity.
  • For parents who are looking for a gender-neutral room, yellow has been widely used. However, it can be over stimulating if you choose the wrong shade. Go with the lightest shade you can, or consider using yellow as an accent color.
  • Shades of brown and tan have been very popular recently. Be sure to select the right shade so the room doesn’t look too drab.
  • Avoid colors like red and orange as they can be over-stimulating.

GET CREATIVE.

Decorating is often the most exciting part of getting your baby’s room together. Will you feature a jungle theme? Maybe some trendy patterned accents? Whatever you choose, there are plenty of ways to get creative.

  • Wall decals are a fun way to decorate the walls without commitment. These removable stickers allow you to change things up whenever you want, they’re cost efficient, and they leave your wall clean and undamaged for when your kids decide they want to switch from lions to dinosaurs.
  • Check out some cool frames to put pictures in. Many parents enjoy hanging art that displays their baby’s name.
  • No one said the room only has to be one color—consider mixing things up, adding an accent wall, or brightening things with colored furniture.

SET UP SHOP.

Of course, you want your nursery to be the ultimate haven for all things baby. Make sure you have the essentials:

  • One of the most important parts of your nursery is a crib. Be sure to look at several cribs to make sure the one you choose is as safe as possible. Look for places where baby could pinch his or her fingers. Some parents also elect to go with a convertible bed that can grow with baby. When positioning the crib, be sure it isn’t near anything that baby can grab and pull in when he or she gets big enough to do so.
  • Get a comfortable chair. As mom and dad, you can expect to spend many hours in the nursery feeding, rocking or playing with your baby.
  • Find a changing table that works for you. Safety is key, and appropriate storage and organization are major pluses.
  • Consider the lighting in the room. If nursery is bright, be sure to invest in a good set of shades or light-blocking curtains to help make sure that nap time is as settled as possible.