You probably don't enjoy the swollen ankles and weight gain, but creating the nursery is an exciting part of expecting. Even so, don't just rush out and start shopping without direction. Though nurseries are typically lighthearted and fun, your baby will sleep and play in the nursery for years to come---and you'll spend nearly as many hours there, too. Design and decorate your baby's nursery with the same attention to detail that you'd give to your formal living room.
Step 1
Read nursery decorating books, catalogs and magazines for inspiration. Watch for interesting themes, color combinations, arrangements and details. Make an inspiration file---with photos---of the ideas you plan to use.
Step 2
Measure your baby's room. Note the width and placement of windows, doors and any built-in features. Draw a floor plan to scale on 1/4-inch grid paper, where each 1/4 inch represents 1 foot. Draw the basic room first, and then add the architectural elements.
Step 3
Make a list of the nursery furniture you need. Estimate the sizes of the various pieces and make templates to scale out of grid paper. Arrange the templates on your floor plan, and then add minimum and maximum dimensions to your furniture list. Add the list to your inspiration file.
Step 4
Visit the paint store with your inspiration file. Select paint chips of colors you might want to use. Take the paint chips home and view them in your nursery, in natural and artificial light. Make your selection and purchase the amount you'll need to paint the room.
Step 5
Buy furniture, window treatments, lighting, artwork and bedding. Keep your inspiration file and paint chips on hand for reference while you shop.
Step 6
Paint your nursery walls, including any murals or other painted designs. Replace the overhead light switch with a dimmer. Make any other structural or cosmetic changes you've planned; it's much easier while the room is empty.
Step 7
Install window treatments and lay rugs. Place your furniture in the room based on the arrangement from your floor plan. Tweak the placement if necessary.
Step 8
Add lamps and accessories, and then hang artwork. Hang a mobile over the baby bed. Place clothing, shower gifts and diapering supplies in their designated closets, drawers and shelves. Make up the baby bed with sheets, bed skirt, bumpers, blanket and your decorative bed covering.
Tips and Warnings
- When arranging your nursery furniture, approach it like a kitchen work triangle. You'll be moving your baby from place to place frequently, so place everything within easy reach. For example, make sure the changing table isn't far from the crib or rocker.
- Regular paint emits toxins into the air---caused by volatile organic compounds, or VOCs---for years after you paint. Keep your nursery toxin free by using low- or zero-VOC paint.
Things You'll Need
- Nursery decorating books, catalogs or magazines
- File folder
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- 1/4-inch grid paper
- Notepad
- Scissors
- Paint chips
- Baby furniture
- Window treatments with hardware
- Lighting
- Artwork
- Decorative crib bedding
- Crib bumpers
- Crib bed skirt
- Crib blanket
- Crib sheets
- Paint
- Drop cloth
- Paint rollers
- Paint brushes
- Dimmer wall switch
- Hammer
- Picture hanging nails
- Drill
References
- Gwen Lausterer-Carpenter; Carpenter & Carpenter Designs; Memphis, Tenn.
- "Children's Spaces: From Zero to Ten"; Judith Wilson; 2008
- Eartheasy: Non-Toxic Paints
