When planning nursery decor for your newborn babe, rather than going for the “movie set” look, why not think ahead a year or so (or three or four) to the time when your little buckaroo or darling diva begins to exhibit a distinct and individual personality. You’ll be ahead of the curve if you wait to “personalize” your child’s space until you have a better idea of what that little person is all about. That’s the time to pull out the stops and make your newest family member at home in a new home.
Whether you are carving nursery space out of an existing bedroom in your home or looking for a new house to accommodate your new needs, we have some nursery ideas that will keep you ahead of the trends. They’ll also assure that the nursery you plan today will be appropriate for the needs of your child at least until he or she heads off to school. Maybe longer!
Babies are certainly aware of their surroundings. But those walls and accessories don’t have to be babyish.
Here are 7 modern ideas:
1. Buy Grown Up Furniture
The most important pieces you can put in your child’s room may well be a large lounge chair and ottoman. You’ll use it immediately for nightly feedings, and later as a comfortable place to read stories together. An older child will love curling up in a “big chair” to dream or to play with the puppy. Later, it becomes a perfect spot for relaxing with a soda and a snack.
2. Multi-Task
If the room is large enough, add a daybed or a pair of twin beds. A crib takes only a sliver of space, and is only used for a sliver of time. Plan ahead for the time when your baby will graduate to other sleeping arrangements; plan also for sleepover space (or perhaps for a future sibling). In the meantime, you’ll find a bed handy for those inevitable nights with a sick child, or even for a visit from Grandma.
Use a chest of drawers or a small dresser with a pad on top rather than a dedicated changing table. You’ll gain storage and versatility and you won’t have to buy one later. Plan ahead for homework needs: Consider a corner desk set from an office supply store. Roll-around file cabinets can be toy catchalls and the computer ell is perfect for audio-visual gear as well.
3. Keep it Simple
It’s your home, after all. The baby’s room doesn’t have to match totally, but it should at least be in sync with the rest of the decor. You can create a fantasy world for your infant, but chances are your baby won’t by impressed! On the flip side, your sassy toddler will have no trouble telling you that he hates panda bears or that her favorite colors are black, purple and orange, but definitely not pink and lavender. If you create a relatively neutral shell for your child, you can indulge some of those whims for your little buckaroo or budding gymnast through bedding and accessories. Take the little decorator shopping with you. You’ll both have fun and you’ll retain your sanity.
4. Teach Geometry
Geometric shapes and graphic prints always look fresh and new. Rather than painting an underwater wonderland or a jungle scene on your walls, think about geometric color blocks, or a wall of abstract designs. You can accomplish the same thing with strippable wallpaper on a single wall. Or simply add graphic punch with oversize prints on draperies or a wild animal print rug. Another option is to buy large canvases from an art supply store: Simply spray paint them in neon-bright colors and hang them as great, cheap art. Paint stripes or graphic designs on the ceiling.
5. Manage Space
No matter what size your room is, work with it. Even if your nursery is no bigger than a closet, remember that your infant needs love and care much more than space. Solve your storage and display needs, if necessary, with wall-hung shelving or build a low platform with storage drawers below to maximize available floor space and set the crib or a chest on top. Just as bunk beds are a great solution for children who must share a room, there are creative ways to deal with space needs. Browse home magazines and online DIY sites for ideas.
6. Please Yourself
If this seems selfish, re-examine your attitude. You will be spending a lot of time in baby’s room so, if you want to be happy there, indulge yourself at least a little bit. If you like quirky details, add some. If funky drawer pulls in lizard designs or bug shapes appeal to you, go ahead and add them to a repainted hand-me-down chest. Hang a hip chandelier. If you’re strictly modern, place an acrylic bassinet in the middle of the room and make the nursery truly minimalist. If Mama’s happy, chances are your child will be happy too!
7. Go Vintage
Vintage may be the new modern. If you want to be ahead of the trends, haunt antique shops, second-hand stores and flea markets. Rusted old signs, weathered wood furniture, farm implements and mid-Century chairs and tables are hot right now, and many of those items could work to liven up a nursery. If you truly want to embrace the past, look for vintage sepia-tone baby photographs and early 20th Century children’s clothing, books and metal banks. Even a vintage model train car can be the stepping stone to unique nursery decor.
Just resolve to have fun with your nursery planning!
2 Point Highlight
If you’re strictly modern, place an acrylic bassinet in the middle of the room and make the nursery decor truly minimalist.
The most important piece you can put in your child’s room may well be a large lounge chair and ottoman.
