Bases of Baby Room Decor: The Musts and The Excesses

Expecting a new arrival is always expecting a major process. Planning the nursery is also a major part of that process be it for the first child or an addition to the family. Baby room themes means beginning by thoughtfully designing the look of the nursery. Is the baby going to staying in your room for the first several months, or is the baby going to stay in the new bedroom? Will your new baby be sharing a room with an older sibling who has a different schedule and different childcare needs? You may choose to have a nursery set aside for the baby but also purchase a co-sleeper or bassinet for the parents’ room at night, especially if there are plans to breast-feed. The baby bedding for this arrangement is simple: just a flat blanket for the baby to sleep on, with no covers. Give the babies the freedom and comfort of light, soft outer clothing and take care to avoid blankets which are sure to suffocate them.

When the time comes for your baby to stay in a separate nursery, it is of paramount importance to obtain the right baby equipment. Safety standards issued by the federal government include safe crib dimensions and safe distance between the slats surrounding the crib. Do not use your heirloom crib, no matter how lovely it is or how much Grandma says you should; it’s just not safe.

Baby bedding for the crib should fit snugly around the mattress so that the baby can’t get tangled up in it. You should also consider how easily and effectively you can launder your new baby bedding before purchasing. Baby poop and vomit both stain white sheets better than any substance known to man, so while that frilly lamb pattern might be cute, consider how less cute it will be covered in regurgitated carrots. Dark colors and patterns will help hide the worst of the stains on crib bedding.

You don’t have to have a changing table for your nursery, but it will make life easier. Once your child is out of diapers, it is time to trade in the dresser/changing table combination for a regular dresser with more capacity. Of course, the changing tables in traditional models come along with rails but find and get the ones with safety straps. You should definitely plan for a fabric pad for the changing table; a dark color will hide stains.

A diaper pail is a normal accessory along with the table, but the material it is made of depends on your requirements. Disposable pampers need a pail that covers up odors, most likely with a barrier seal, but cloth diapers need to be easy to reach so they can be washed. Pick whichever suits your needs the best, and know that regardless, the nursery will smell stinky for quite some time.

Rocking chairs are too often mistaken for luxury items. Any mom that has walked the floors at 3 in the morning can attest that it might be a required item too. Rocking seats are a very good item. You can purchase a rocking chair used because they are more comfortable as they get older. So you can ask your grandmother for one.

The last part of putting together a nursery, though the most enjoyable, is decorating! Think outside the baby aisle; look at what defines your family and makes it special, as well as the kind of childhood you want for your baby. Winnie the Pooh and Noah’s Ark are common decorative themes for a nursery, but children feel special from the beginning if they have a room filled with dragons, moons and stars, or even photos of family and friends. Get inspired to let your artistic side free and your child is sure to do the same.