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Tips
for Decorating a Stylish Baby Nursery
There’s only one week left
before my due-date…HELP!
By
Whitney Wingerd, Mommies with Style
So
there’s a baby on the way? Congratulations! It’s
an exciting time… and the idea of designing a baby’s
nursery can be thrilling and daunting at the same time.
Having
been there myself fairly recently, I thought I’d
share a few words of advice I wish someone had passed along
before we got started:
First things first – a theme
Pick a theme and stick with it. There are about a zillion nursery ideas
out there. And it’s easy to start with one idea and get caught
up by all the other cute items out there. You need to be consistent
once you make your decision.
A theme can be something as simple as stripes, to something as intricate
as a jungle where your baby’s bedding matches a detailed mural you
have commissioned on one wall in the room.
Can’t think of an idea? Look through some of your favorite children’s
books growing up. Ask an older sibling if you already have a child – kids
can be creative!
Next step - colors
One
you have your theme – pick a color, or colors, and
make sure you stick with that palette as you pick out your
baby’s bedding and window treatments. Select two-three
colors at the most, with varying shades of each color if need
be.
Consistency
and simplicity are the answers to designing a classy nursery.
The
most stylish nurseries are the ones that don’t look
like the parents tried too hard.
Keep it simple
You
may feel the need to pay attention to details before the
baby’s born. You may see cute little knick-knacks
for the walls, for the top of your baby’s dresser and
more. I say this loudly – RESIST THE URGE!!
Once your baby comes, the nursery is going to be so cluttered
with diapers, dirty laundry and other items that seem to just
fill the room. No matter
how organized you are, having a baby turns your world upside-down and throws
a lot of mess into that mix that even the most organized Mom can’t keep
up with.
To
sate your need to get crazy – use the walls
The nicest nurseries I’ve seen to date have
been the ones where the parents have really put thought and
time into their walls.
I’ve had several friends put chair rails into their baby’s rooms-
and then two-toned the walls – often times the same color, just different
shades. (i.e. Bright blue up top, pale blue below) Another friend measured
foot-wide stripes and has pale yellow/bright yellow going around her baby’s
room and the result is a rich yet classy look.
If you feel the need to get creative – I say do it on the walls, but
as I said earlier, keep overall-room simplicity in mind as you do so.
Above all else - safety
To conclude, safety should always be on your mind. Although it may seem
crazy to think that you have to start protecting a kick in your belly – time
flies. Soon enough that kick will be running around your house looking
to put his or her sticky fingers in every electrical outlet you have.
Be
aware of the hazards in the baby’s room-to-be and plan
for the future baby-proofing you’ll have to do.
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