Nursery

A baby nursery should be the perfect combination of comfort, beauty and convenience. When you’re facing the prospect of preparing a nursery, the task can seem overwhelming, because of the many choices you’ll have to make. However, if you take the task one step at a time, you’ll be able to create the perfect nursery for you and your baby; one that is both functional and beautiful.

First, consider the basics. You’ll need nursery furniture. A crib is a must, as is some sort of furniture for holding clothes, like a dresser or armoire. You’ll also likely want a changing table. If you choose one with storage underneath, you’ll have the perfect place to store diapers, wipes and other accessories you’ll need for diapering.

You can often find nursery furniture sets that include a crib with mattress, and a matching changing table and dresser. However, if you don’t need the whole set because, for instance, you have an antique dresser you’d like to use, you can also find nursery furniture pieces sold individually.

You’ll likely also want to choose a rocking chair for your nursery. Having a rocking chair, perhaps with a matching ottoman will make those long nights far more comfortable.

Once you’ve found the necessities, it’s time to think about your nursery décor. If you know the gender of your baby, you can decorate in a “boy” or “girl” theme. If, however, you’re unsure of the gender of your baby, you’ll want something more neutral that will be appropriate for either gender. You’ll find many patterns that are gender neutral in colors like green, yellow and beige. Or, consider a truly neutral palette like black and white. Once the baby is born, you can add brightly colored accessories, like hot pink for a girl or blue for a boy.

Once you’ve selected your theme or color scheme, it’s time to pick out nursery bedding. It’s easy to go wild and spend a lot of money on these items, but use caution. Keep in mind that many bedding items purchased for a nursery get very little use. For example, a bedding set will likely come with a quilt, which is unnecessary. Your baby will stay warmer and more comfortable in footed pajamas and a light baby blanket than covering him with a quilt. Secondly, bumper pads should be removed as soon as your baby starts to stand, because they tend to use them as a step to help them get out of the crib! So, these also get very little use. Spend your money on a good mattress pad, plenty of fitted sheets and lightweight blankets that can be used in and out of the crib.