Decorating a Baby Nursery Room

By Michelle LaRowe on December 10, 2010

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Painting the nursery green is a good option for a unisex nursery.

Decorating your baby's nursery is one of the pregnancy milestones that expecting parents look forward to. Creating the space that your soon-to-be baby will call her own takes careful planning and preparation. Since you and your baby will be spending lots of time in the nursery, creating a safe and soothing environment is essential.

Step 1

Choose a theme. Choosing a theme for your nursery will help you achieve a cohesive look. Color themes like pink for a girl and blue for a boy, or themes that center on animals, flowers, children's characters, shapes or abstract designs are popular choices. Your theme will likely reflect your personal taste and style.

Step 2

Select paint. When selecting paint, opt for a subtle, muted color. Bright, bold colors can be overpowering and may be too stimulating for your baby. Light blues, pinks, greens, yellows and purples are soothing color choices that work best for nurseries, according to NaturalHomeMagazine.com.

Step 3

Treat the windows. Falling asleep is easier when the room is dark, so hanging room-darkening shades or blinds in the nursery is a smart choice. Since the light can be kept out with the shades or blinds, you'll have more flexibility when choosing curtains or valences. Coordinate your window coverings to your theme by choosing a matching or complementary color.

Step 4

Purchase furniture. When selecting furniture, safety must come first. If you are opting for painted nursery furniture, be sure it's painted with non-toxic paint. Choosing furniture that has smooth edges and is free from cutouts can help to prevent serious injury once your baby is mobile.

Step 5

Add lighting. When decorating your nursery, choose light fixtures that have the capability to work with a dimmer switch. When changing or feeding your baby in the middle of the night, being able to adjust the lighting to your needs can prevent your baby from waking completely from the brightness of the light.

About the Author

Michelle LaRowe is the 2004 International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year and the author of the "Nanny to the Rescue!", "Working Mom's 411" and a "Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists." Michelle graduated from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Studies from Global University. To learn more about Michelle visit www.michellelarowe.com.

Ingredients

Paint

Window coverings

Furniture

Lighting

References

NaturalHomeMagazine.com: Nursery Colors:Choose the Best Colors for Your Baby's Bedroom

Baboosh Baby

Resources

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls

Tips

Placing your baby's crib away from a window, in conjunction with using window locks and blind cord holders, can help to prevent accidental falls, strangulation and injury.