Guest Blog
Designing a baby’s room or nursery can be a fun and surprisingly simple task for parents. Thankfully it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either – a little planning and imagination is all it takes to make a baby’s room an active blend of pleasing aesthetics with a functional twist.
Floor and ceiling
Bright colours are great for attracting a baby’s attention, so instead of painting the ceiling white it may be worth considering using bright colour paint on the ceiling of the room instead. Brightly coloured, patterned wallpaper is another alternative for the ceiling, but will usually not be quite as cost effective as paint.
Soft rugs or carpeting on the floor will be necessary for when the child starts crawling as it will be gentler on the palms of the hands and the knees. It will also help to cushion the child’s falls during the learning-to-walk stage.
Storage and furniture
A child – and in particular a baby – needs a lot of clothing and bedding as they get messy very quickly and will need changing often. Plenty of storage space is required to keep all the fresh, clean items close to hand; fumbling around at night to find clean sheets or nappies is no one’s idea of fun. Storage for toys is also very important in a child’s room; babies tend to acquire a lot of toys from loving family members and friends and without some place to store everything neatly away, the room will get cluttered very quickly.
Furniture in a baby’s room is also something that should be considered carefully. A comfortable chair placed near the crib with a lamp close by is ideal for mums who are nursing their babies, particularly for those middle of the night feedings. Ensure the bulb used in the lamp is a lower wattage than that which is generally used in the home as a bright light on in the middle of the night will be too harsh.
Latest trends
Decorating the ceiling is one of the hottest trends for 2013. Decals are quite popular for decorating ceilings, and can easily be placed anywhere. They grab the child’s eye while they are lying in their crib and give them something to focus on that is a little different from the traditional hanging mobile. 3D wall art and textured wall-coverings are also extremely popular at the moment, and help to train a child’s senses. Tribal prints are yet another hot trend for baby’s room; the child may not realise that their room is fashionable, but they will love the designs and colours.
Vintage accessories and furniture are also on trend at the moment. There are many places that offer high quality vintage pieces at reasonable prices, and some stores even offer free delivery. The vintage look is easy to achieve and pieces can be bought brand new, or second hand from charity shops and ‘up-cycled’ to give them a whole new look.
Points to remember:
- Paint the nursery in bright colours. If pastel shades are preferred then use bright colours for accessories and soft furnishings.
- Soft floor coverings are very important, especially if this room is also going to be a playroom for the child.
- Plenty of storage is needed for clothes, bed linens, and toys.
- Soft lighting, low watt bulbs, and nightlights create a very cosy atmosphere in the room that will help to relax the child.