If there's a baby on the way, you're probably thinking about creating a nursery. Selecting a room and designing a nursery will help you pass those long months until you are able to put your new baby to sleep in his very own room. Nurseries can be as basic or elaborate as your budget and desires. While you'll want to create a warm, welcoming space for your baby, safety is the most important consideration when making a nursery.
Step 1
Measure the room with a tape measure to determine how much baby furniture will fit in the room. Use graph paper to sketch the dimensions of the room and the furniture measurements. At a minimum, you will need a crib, a dresser to hold the baby's clothes and a diaper pail or receptacle for used diapers. If space allows, you may want to add a changing table and a rocking chair or glider. Some dressers come with changing pads on top.
Step 2
Select a paint color for the room. If you plan on having more children, use a neutral color, rather than blue or pink.
Step 3
Remove the furniture, and have the room painted. The American Pregnancy Association recommends asking someone else to do the painting. If no one else is available, the association recommends wearing gloves and keeping windows open to minimize exposure to paint fumes.
Step 4
Choose durable flooring that will hold up to wear and tear. Spills on hardwood or laminate floors wipe up easily, while carpeting gives the room a softer feel. If you are using existing carpeting, make sure to clean it before your new nursery is complete.
Step 5
Shop for a crib well before the baby arrives. Baby Center recommends shopping for a crib several months before your due date to allow sufficient time for delivery and assembly. Look for a stable, sturdy crib that works with the style of your nursery. If space is tight, buy a crib that has drawers for extra storage.
Step 6
Buy a foam or inner-spring mattress for the crib. Baby Center reports that many parents prefer using foam mattresses, because the lighter weight of these mattresses makes changing sheets easier. Make sure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib with no gaps around the edges.
Step 7
Add bedding to the crib and fill dresser drawers with clothing and supplies. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommends avoiding pillow-like crib bumpers, as they can raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Step 8
Put the furniture in the room after painting and installing new flooring. Place the crib away from windows to prevent falls.
Step 9
Babyproof the room to protect your child from injury. Install window guards and place outlet covers in electrical outlets. Cut window blind or shade cords as short as possible to eliminate the risk of strangulation.
Tips and Warnings
- It can be difficult for adults to spot potential hazards in the nursery. Pregnancy Today recommends getting down on your hands and knees in the nursery and looking for small objects on the floor, items that can be easily pulled down, wobbly furniture and exposed outlets. If your budget is tight, you may be considering buying a used crib. Used cribs can work just as well as new cribs, as long as you make sure that they are structurally sound and meet safety requirements. Slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, according to Baby Center.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Graph paper
- Crib
- Dresser
- Diaper pail
- Changing table
- Rocking chair or glider
- Paint
- Gloves
- Floor covering
- Window guards
- Outlet covers
