Preparing a nursery for a new baby is a lot of fun, but it can also be a little overwhelming when you look through all the options. You might also wonder if you need to keep up with all the decorating trends. If searches for “rustic nursery ideas” have gone up 136%, does that mean you need to go rustic too?
The last thing you and your baby need right now is added stress. To help you relax and focus on the essentials, here are 8 baby bedroom decorating tips.
1. Make a Budget
You want to give your baby everything he or she needs, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars when decorating a nursery.
To make sure you don’t spend more than you need, make a list of essential items. Yes, you need a crib, changing table, stroller, and a few more items, but you probably don’t need a whole chest full of toys to start off.
You don’t have to forget about the fun items, but if you put them in a “nice to have” category, that will help you prioritize.
You should also set a spending limit for yourself, based on what you can reasonably afford. You can then shop around for the items you truly need to find the best prices that work for your budget.
2. Choose a Theme
Whatever your budget, you can make the room feel classy and coordinated by choosing a theme.
You could go with a pop culture theme, such as characters from Sesame Street, Disney, or Nickelodeon shows. You won’t have any trouble finding plenty of decorating items in those categories.
If those don’t appeal to you, another option is to have a simple, classic theme that’s not as baby-specific. You might choose a more neutral color scheme and decorate the wall with decals that you can change over time. This gives you a little more flexibility in your options.
Whatever theme you choose for your nursery décor, the real key is to have everything match. This brings everything together for a harmonized look.
3. Don’t Forget Lighting
Lighting is another important part of your nursery preparation. You don’t want the lights themselves to be too harsh and upset your baby’s eyes. Use dimmers or softer bulbs if possible.
Nightlights are also a must, so you don’t have to turn on an overhead light or a floor lamp when you go in during the middle of the night.
On the flip side, you want to make sure the room can be dark during the daytime since that will help your baby nap. Blackout curtains are a good option for this or having two layers of curtains so you can adjust the light level.
4. It’s Never Too Early to Think About Baby Safety
One of the most important nursery decorating tips is to think about safety. Even though your baby won’t be crawling for a while, you’ll do better to prepare ahead of time by keeping the nursery baby-proof.
Safety tips include:
- Avoid having benches or chairs next to windows
- Get plugs for electric outlets
- Tuck away the ends of long cords
- Make sure furniture can’t be turned over by small hands
- If you have rugs, use non-slip pads to prevent slides
When you’re putting up artwork or other decorations, make sure everything is securely fastened. This is especially important for anything near the baby’s crib. The last thing you want is something to fall into the crib when the baby is in it.
5. Design a Good Changing Station
The changing station is an essential part of nursery décor, and it’s an area you should design carefully since you’ll be spending a lot of time there.
Depending on how much space you have, you might get a separate changing table or use a changing pad on the top of a dresser. Either can work.
Whichever option you choose, the real key is to make sure you have everything you need at the changing station. You don’t want to step away and risk having the baby roll off or start spreading a mess around even more.
In addition to wipes and clean diapers, think about where to have bins for dirty diapers, laundry hamper, a clean change of clothes, lotion, etc. It also helps to have some toys on-hand to keep your baby distracted.
Having this all set up in advance will work in your favor when you have a diaper disaster to deal with.
6. Pick Your Artwork
In the early days, you’ll notice the artwork on the walls much more than your baby. That’s important to keep in mind for your nursery decorating ideas. Try to find a balance between something that makes sense in a child’s room but also aligns with your tastes.
You could spend a lot of money on this, but you don’t have to. One budget idea is to print and frame some of your favorite photos, including family portraits. You could even frame your favorite quotes, pieces of fabric, or even your baby’s first outfit.
7. Leave Room for Storage
Baby items can add up fast, between all the essentials and the toys they’re bound to get from family and friends. Plan ahead to keep some space for all of it.
If you get a toy box, look for one that’s open or has a lid with a soft close to avoid pinching any small fingers. Add a bookshelf or two in advance for those favorite books you’ll want to read at bedtime.
You should also have a secure location for any of the wipes, creams, ointments, etc. that you don’t want your baby getting into.
8. Space for You
Your baby is your first priority when planning nursery decorations, but you should make sure you leave some room for yourself.
This includes space to easily move around the room, but you should also get some comfortable seats. Rocking chairs are always a good option, but they do take up a lot of room.
Fun and Affordable Baby Bedroom Decorating
Don’t get too stressed about preparing your baby’s nursery. As long as you have the essentials, you can always add more decorations and rearrange furniture down the road. The most important thing is to keep your baby bedroom decorating enjoyable and affordable.
Have a baby on the way? We’ve got you covered! Search the word “baby” on our blog to find more tips.
