Designing and creating your baby's nursery is an exciting prospect. And as a parent to be, you want everything to be perfect – your instincts kick in and you want nothing less than the best for your little one. Many parents get a little carried away when creating a nursery for their first child, with new-fangled gadgets and the latest must-have items.
In reality, your baby’s nursery needs to be three things: practical, relaxing and safe. Here are our top tips for putting together the perfect nursery for your new arrival.
The place where your baby will eventually sleep should naturally be the primary investment when you are designing their nursery. Obviously, the cot needs to meet the very highest safety standards, and you may also need to look to the future when selecting the right model.
Are the sides of your chosen cot removable? Will the cot convert into a toddler bed when the time is right, or will you need to buy a new one? When it comes to purchasing a cot, quality is everything. Choose a brand renowned for excellent craftsmanship.
It can be tempting to choose blue for boys and pink for girls when planning your colour scheme – but the focus should be less on gender and more on creating a relaxing environment.
A neutral colour scheme, with browns and beiges, can help soothe little ones more effectively than a room packed with bright primary colours. Gentle greens can create a room connected with nature, and deep blue can infuse the room with a sense of safety and relaxation.
When you announce to family that you’re going to have a baby, you’ll often find that many of them will be eager to help, and may pass on some of their old items and heirlooms. While it’s often better to buy certain items brand new (the cot, for example), there are certain sentimental items which would make the perfect addition to your nursery.
A rocking chair passed down through the generations would make a perfect place to nurse in your baby’s new room, or perhaps a charming mobile to soothe your little one as they drift off to sleep. Don’t forget to leave room in your nursery for these timeless items.
Make sure there’s plenty of storage in your nursery. If in doubt, add more! Many parents will tell you that you can never have enough cupboards and shelves when raising a baby. You should also consider installing some blackout curtains or blinds. This will help baby to settle when it’s time to sleep – and any new mother will confirm that those times don’t always coincide with the hours of darkness!
Do you have any tips for designing a beautiful nursery? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.
The arrival of a new baby can help to spur an array of keepsake items that will help you to remember those special days for a lifetime.
While there are many traditional keepsakes here in the UK, you may wish to start a new tradition of your own. After all, new keepsakes may mean more to you or signify your family in a far more personal way than traditional items such as christening gown.
Therefore, if you’ve been trying to think of some new ways to remember your little one’s arrival into the world, we’ve shared a handful of the keepsakes which are revered around the world.
When you’re expecting your firstborn nothing can ever truly prepare you for that daunting feeling that someday soon you’re going to be responsible for another person. And while there’s excitement, it’s always fine to admit that there is also nerves and worry.
That’s why for this special feature we’ve asked mum’s to share the words of wisdom they were given by their parents.
