10 Things to Know Before Designing a Nursery
Nothing can really prepare you for a new baby's arrival. But these suggestions can certainly ease the way
Varalika Srivastava
7 February 2017
Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, dance instructor and dog lover. My home is set up with a mix of mid- century modern and contemporary decor, with Indian inspired accents throughout. Follow me here and as Varalika01, on Twitter.
Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, dance instructor and dog lover. My home... More
How does one even begin to preempt the needs of a child that hasn’t even arrived yet? Where to begin and what all to put together before she arrives in her new home? This can be quite a task. Here are 10 things to know before starting to fashion a new room or a nursery for your baby.
1. Don’t rush into buying everything at once
Shopping for your baby is such a thrill. And setting up the nursery is one of the most exciting parts of welcoming the angel in your life. But we suggest you not to be hasty. Work hard on the basics – like a non-toxic paint, an appropriate crib, gentle but ample lighting, and baby proofing. But wait for the baby to come before filling the room up with other furniture and accessories. Don’t get pressured into buying a lot – a newborn requires only your love and attention, and you will know when it is time to buy other items.
Shopping for your baby is such a thrill. And setting up the nursery is one of the most exciting parts of welcoming the angel in your life. But we suggest you not to be hasty. Work hard on the basics – like a non-toxic paint, an appropriate crib, gentle but ample lighting, and baby proofing. But wait for the baby to come before filling the room up with other furniture and accessories. Don’t get pressured into buying a lot – a newborn requires only your love and attention, and you will know when it is time to buy other items.
2. Keep a proper slat distance in the crib
A crib is an important buy – do spend time going over options before you commit to one. In the crib, the slat distance should not be more than 6 centimetres. A wider space increases the risk of an infant to fall out from between the slats and of toddlers getting their heads stuck. You must also be aware of the standard crib (30 x 54 inches) and mattress (28 x 52 inches) size so you can make an informed decision before your purchase.
A crib is an important buy – do spend time going over options before you commit to one. In the crib, the slat distance should not be more than 6 centimetres. A wider space increases the risk of an infant to fall out from between the slats and of toddlers getting their heads stuck. You must also be aware of the standard crib (30 x 54 inches) and mattress (28 x 52 inches) size so you can make an informed decision before your purchase.
3. Choose gender neutral wall colours
Gone are the days when a baby girl could only like pink and a boy only blue. Give your child the chance to grow up without the limitations and preconceived notions about gender. Instead, use colour in accent pieces, such as rugs, pictures and toys to add vibrancy and liveliness to the room. Go for wall colours like grey, tangerine, teal and yellow. Natural shades like wood, beige, brown and green are good options too. Those will give you a lot of space for working with accessories of different colours.
Gone are the days when a baby girl could only like pink and a boy only blue. Give your child the chance to grow up without the limitations and preconceived notions about gender. Instead, use colour in accent pieces, such as rugs, pictures and toys to add vibrancy and liveliness to the room. Go for wall colours like grey, tangerine, teal and yellow. Natural shades like wood, beige, brown and green are good options too. Those will give you a lot of space for working with accessories of different colours.
4. Consider not having a theme
An animal theme for the nursery would be great but not having a theme at all works equally well. By doing this, you will not be limited to a particular kind of decor and will get a bigger array of things to put in the room. This is a safer bet since it also gives you the liberty to redesign the room a couple of years later when your child will tell you exactly what she/he wants.
An animal theme for the nursery would be great but not having a theme at all works equally well. By doing this, you will not be limited to a particular kind of decor and will get a bigger array of things to put in the room. This is a safer bet since it also gives you the liberty to redesign the room a couple of years later when your child will tell you exactly what she/he wants.
5. Get a blackout window treatment
None of us like direct sunlight in our eyes early in the morning, so imagine your child going through the same! Infants are especially light sleepers and this is a great way to extend their nap. Getting light filtering films on windows, blackout blinds or thick curtains can help them sleep longer and save you the trouble of putting the child to sleep again and again. It also helps you manage your baby’s sleep schedule regardless of the time of day.
None of us like direct sunlight in our eyes early in the morning, so imagine your child going through the same! Infants are especially light sleepers and this is a great way to extend their nap. Getting light filtering films on windows, blackout blinds or thick curtains can help them sleep longer and save you the trouble of putting the child to sleep again and again. It also helps you manage your baby’s sleep schedule regardless of the time of day.
6. Consider a mini refrigerator
This is not something many parents usually think of. But it’s a great tip and makes life easier for a new parent. Along with the bottle steriliser and a warmer in the room, get a mini fridge too. If your child’s nursery is not too close to the kitchen, creating a small workstation within the baby’s room will prove to be very convenient. It will save you time and energy.
This is not something many parents usually think of. But it’s a great tip and makes life easier for a new parent. Along with the bottle steriliser and a warmer in the room, get a mini fridge too. If your child’s nursery is not too close to the kitchen, creating a small workstation within the baby’s room will prove to be very convenient. It will save you time and energy.
7. Install a smoke detector
You can never be too safe about protecting your baby against a hazard like fire. Although smoke detectors are not common in Indian homes, we suggest this as a must in a nursery. If you plan to leave your baby alone in the crib at night, smoke alarms should be a must.
You can never be too safe about protecting your baby against a hazard like fire. Although smoke detectors are not common in Indian homes, we suggest this as a must in a nursery. If you plan to leave your baby alone in the crib at night, smoke alarms should be a must.
8. Invest in a good rocking chair
Be it while feeding the child, reading to her or simply while snuggling up, a rocking chair is an excellent addition to a nursery. It adds a touch of warmth and will be the place where you will be creating some awesome memories between you and your baby.
Be it while feeding the child, reading to her or simply while snuggling up, a rocking chair is an excellent addition to a nursery. It adds a touch of warmth and will be the place where you will be creating some awesome memories between you and your baby.
9. You don’t have to buy a changing table
A changing table is a new addition in Indian nurseries but it is certainly not the most important. A baby can be changed on a bed or even on an old dresser (see image). Just keep in mind that its height should be low enough and it should be braced well to the wall. Look for solid wood and something that does not wobble.
A changing table is a new addition in Indian nurseries but it is certainly not the most important. A baby can be changed on a bed or even on an old dresser (see image). Just keep in mind that its height should be low enough and it should be braced well to the wall. Look for solid wood and something that does not wobble.
10. Do not crowd the crib
Keep things inside the crib at a minimum. Ideally other than a comfortable mattress and bedsheets, you should not clutter the crib with any other items to avoid the risk of SIDS. There are clear guidelines issued about what all is safe in the crib. Make sure you are aware and well read on this. Having too many things like stuffed toys or more than one quilt, increases the risk of suffocation.
Read more:
Must-Haves in a Teenage Girl’s Room
Out-Of-The-Box Shelves for Your Kids
Tell us:
What are the basic essentials you would recommend for a nursery? Write in Comments below.
Keep things inside the crib at a minimum. Ideally other than a comfortable mattress and bedsheets, you should not clutter the crib with any other items to avoid the risk of SIDS. There are clear guidelines issued about what all is safe in the crib. Make sure you are aware and well read on this. Having too many things like stuffed toys or more than one quilt, increases the risk of suffocation.
Read more:
Must-Haves in a Teenage Girl’s Room
Out-Of-The-Box Shelves for Your Kids
Tell us:
What are the basic essentials you would recommend for a nursery? Write in Comments below.
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Thank you for including YouthfulNest's work. Fo those looking for more design advice for the nursery check out our website and blog posts like Nursery No-Nos, Three Best Nursery Splurges and 12 Nursery Horoscopes