When you are pregnant the list of the decisions that come along with having a baby is simply endless. Most of them will stress you out and sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, but there are those that are rather fun, such as designing the perfect nursery for your little one. It’s completely understandable if you have been feeling stressed or overwhelmed. While you’re building the nursery and preparing for your little one to arrive, it’s important to remember to prioritize your mental health. Click here to learn more about prioritizing your mental health during pregnancy.
Deciding what toys to get, how to paint the room, what crib to buy and which decorations to use is something that you will most likely enjoy. After all, you can let your imagination run wild and you will finally have an excuse to spend days scrolling through Pinterest, searching for the ultimate inspiration.
Even though building a nursery will put a smile on your face and bring out your inner child (let’s be honest, most of those cute details in the kids’ room are not for them, they are for us), you can easily lose your focus and make some rookie mistakes. Therefore, before you go on a shopping spree, here are some tips you should keep in mind.
Opt for Flexible Furniture
Nowadays stores with baby equipment are full of all kinds of things you most likely won’t use or will use for just a short period of time. The first thing you should avoid when picking out the furniture for the nursery is to opt for the kind that will become too small for your baby in a couple of weeks or months.
Instead, find a crib and a crib mattress that can easily be turned into a bed and avoid using miniature anything. Yes, it is as cute as it can be, but it is not functional and you will just waste your money.
Make Sure Room is Well-lit
Babies hate to sleep or play in the dark, so make sure to install enough lights. Apart from the ceiling light fixture you can also put some floor and table lamps and get a nursery nightlight. During the day keep the shades open to bring more natural light into the room.
Buy an Eco-friendly Mattress
Your little one will spend most of the first months sleeping, so make sure they can get some rest on a mattress that doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, toxins and is constructed of natural materials. These days you can easily find ones that are made from soy, bamboo or cotton. If you wish to avoid exposing your little one to the harmful substances, check out more on BornCute.com and find the perfect mattress for your baby.
Keep Everything Close to the Changing Table
In just a couple of months your baby will start to turn and roll on their own, so the last thing you want to do is step away from the changing table and leave your little one unsupervised. We all know that kids are masters of causing problems when no one is looking, so make sure you have everything from diapers, wipes, changing table covers, a hamper, and a diaper disposal system to burp cloths and pacifier within a hand’s reach.
Get Rid of Carpets
Installing carpet flooring in the nursery might seem like a good idea at first, especially since it is so cozy and can prevent injuries when your little one falls down. However, carpets are also full of dirt, allergens and some of them even contain harmful color materials. Not to mention that without a carpet you will be able to clean the floor much faster.
Make Sure You Have Lots of Storage Space
It is surprising just how many things one tiny human needs. Your little one’s nursery can easily be covered in toys, books and other stuff that can present a dangerous trip hazard, especially if you are carrying your baby back and forth in the dark. Therefore, make sure you have plenty of storage space where you can put these things when your kid is done playing.
Washable Wallpaper Can Be a Lifesaver
Yes, yes, babies are cute and adorable, but they are also messy poop machines, and they can easily do their business while you are changing them. Unless you want to repaint the room every time a pee spray hits the wall, opt for washable wallpaper and you will be able to keep the room clean and urine free without a lot of work.
Get Blackout Shades or Heavy Curtains
When your little one needs to take a nap during the day, you need to find a way to stop any daylight from entering the room. Babies are no fools and they know that bright light means party time, so invest in heavy curtains or blackout shades. If you cannot block the sunlight don’t be surprised if your little one has a hard time falling asleep even when they are fussy and can barely keep their eyes open.
Pick a Theme
If you want to build a nursery that looks like a picture from a catalog, find a theme that is suitable for your little one. You can go with a mountain theme, a unicorn theme, a travel theme, a rustic vintage one, a pink floral theme, a savanna theme with cute animal wall art prints, an adventure theme, a cactus theme and so on. Basically, your options are endless.
Incorporate Personal Touches from People Who Love Them
The best way to add more love and warmth into your baby’s room is to incorporate some details from people who love them. You can frame pictures with both sets of grandparents, place your favorite childhood toy on the table, or put a figurine made by your husband’s mom on the shelf. This is especially a great idea if you have moved away and now you live far from your family members and friends.
Decorating your baby’s nursery is something that will take time, but you will enjoy every minute of it. After all, little ones grow up so fast, so instead of counting the days until you bring your baby into the world, stop for a second and treasure these moments when you are preparing everything for their arrival.
Leave a Reply