Essentials: What You Actually Need
I have been spending almost all of my waking hours planning for my baby’s nursery and yanking just the perfect mix of practical and trendy. Since this is my second, I understand what I really desire, what I could reuse out of my very first and what is a complete waste of money and space. As a minimalist with square footage, here are my recommendations for pulling together a nursery. Yes there are many extravagant options out there you’ll be tempted or coerced to put in your wish list, but here is what you may actually require.
Read photographs of kids’ rooms
Let’s start with the crib, the very first thing in your list. I believe that a very simple model such as the Jenny Lind is perfect. You don’t really require the convertible versions which vary from a crib to a toddler bed to a full size mattress. Most of them look awkward in their non-crib types. They are more expensive than the basic crib models Provided by Ikea, Land of Nod or Pottery Barn Kids or Craigslist. And, realistically, by the time your child is prepared for their next phase of sleeping, then you will likely be over the first style you picked. Plus it takes all of the fun out of buying their “big boy/girl bed.” Make sure that the model you pick isn’t on any recall list.
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Cristi Holcombe Interiors, LLC
The second essential nursery item is a shifting station. You don’t require a dedicated changing table; it only takes up room. The best solution I have found is putting the changing pad on top of a dresser. If your baby grows, the changing pad will probably come off and you’ll still have a great piece for storage. It is possible to take the opportunity to mount display shelves on the wall above for decorative toys, photographs, books and other mementos.
Cristi Holcombe Interiors, LLC
Here is a detail shot of the changing channel. Decide on a vest that’s deep enough to get a changing pad and wide enough to accommodate a basket of diapers, wipes, balms, lotions and hand sanitizer.
An antique dresser can be refurbished and restyled to make a darling changing channel.
Cristi Holcombe Interiors, LLC
A glider or rocking seat is the next item you’ll need. You’ll be spending a great deal of time rocking your baby to sleep. Make sure you have a comfortable chair set up near the crib, with a foot rest and tons of rear support in the form of cushions.
It doesn’t hurt to also have a small side table to put a cup of water, your telephone, a journal with pen for logging your baby’s feeding and sleep schedule, and some reading materials.
Storage is essential. When it’s a closet, shelves of boxes, a free standing armoire or dresser — you may require a great deal of storage for all their little clothing, shoes, bedding, diapers, toys and baby equipment. Boxes with clear labels of the contents within will help. If you have open shelving, maintain lids off boxes for easy access.
Erika Everett Design
Soft surfaces are important too once your baby is running. A nice sheepskin rug you are able to throw on the floor or on a seat, a pouf for them to lean on as they start standing and standing, and any soft flooring rug (a cowhide is shown here) are all ideal.
Bonus: Notice the wallpaper on the ceiling to get a first jolt of visual interest as your baby stares up from the crib.
Jute Interior Design
Dark window shades or blackout curtains are extremely important for rest time. It takes a while for your baby to start sleeping generally outside of the womb. Dark shades or curtains will allow you to receive them down for naps considerably quicker and enjoy some me time even though you can grab it.
Wen-Di Interiors
Soft low light in the room or baby’s sleeping place is much more important for you. Infants aren’t fearful of the dark, but a soft low light will make a relaxing environment for them and keep you from bumping into furniture when you stumble in the area in the middle of the night for a feeding.
Mobiles are one thing you don’t require. Newborn eyesight is too blurry to make a cellphone above the crib. And some mothers think that older babies get diverted from sleeping with mobiles. I’m not saying you shouldn’t put in a cellphone, just that it will not really aid your baby in sleeping.
Lucy McLintic
Mature color palettes will serve you in the long run. You could be itching to deck outside the space in princess topics if it’s a girl, sports to get a boy or jungle safari for gender-neutral, but your baby is going to be a toddler with his or her own likes and dislikes before you know it. Instead of redecorating every few years, pick a neutral wall color and set up removable wall stickers with your theme of choice. A good idea to get an accent wall is to pick a wallpaper which you could picture in an adult bedroom or office — just in case — such as this example.
The Virginia House
A gender-neutral room does not need to be yellow or green. Creames, taupes and beiges supply a relaxing nursery. Do not you love the impact of painting two-toned striped walls?
The Virginia House
A guest mattress or futon isn’t a nursery essential, but it will be a welcome addition when you have the floor space for it. Sometimes during nursing you’ll be too pooped to make it back to your bed and you’ll only need to lie down.
If you start sleep training, it will be a comfortable spot for you to wait. It can also be a cute corner for reading time plus an additional sleeping place for that out-of-town guest (a.k.a. grandma).
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