Your guide to creating a nurturing nursery

Decorating the nursery can be one of your most exciting tasks while you wait for your baby to arrive. It gives you a chance to start bonding with your baby as you prepare for the big event. 

To create a calming sanctuary, there are a few important decor tips to keep in mind, and a few essentials that no nursery should be without.

Functional furniture

A cot

Safety and practicality are the most important considerations when it comes to choosing a cot. Make sure that the cot has adjustable settings, enabling you to regulate the height of the base. 

The highest setting can be used for the first few months, while a lower setting will become necessary as your baby gets bigger and starts climbing the sides.

If you buy a second-hand cot, make sure that it is in good condition and that the height-adjustable setting works properly. Clean the cot well, leaving no cleaning agents behind. Don’t use a second-hand mattress though, as it could contain mould or bacteria. 

Rather buy a new one, and ensure that it fits the cot correctly.

A rocking chair

It may seem like an unnecessary luxury at this point, but if you get a rocking chair you’ll wonder how you would have coped without it. It is highly effective for settling baby (the baby will love the rocking motion), and doubles as a comfy feeding chair.

A compactum

A changing table is a must for every nursery. It’s at a comfortable height for changing, and has plenty of compartments for nappies and other essentials. Some have built-in baths; however many people prefer to use a portable baby bath, which can be easily used anywhere in the house. Think ahead and choose a compactum that will best suit your needs.

Soft furnishings

A night-light

This will provide adequate light for changing and feeding your baby in the night, without overstimulating them into an awake state.

Bedding

In terms of bedding, you’ll need a mattress sheet and your choice of blankets and/or duvets. A cot bumper is an optional extra.

Curtains

Make sure that the window in the nursery is well covered by a lined or block-out curtain so that outside light does not interfere with your baby’s sleep. If the fabric of the curtain is thin or light in colour, consider getting block-out lining for it to prevent sunlight from filtering through.

Decor ideas

In the book Baby Sense (Metz Press), Megan Faure and Ann Richardson recommend decorating the nursery in muted colours to keep the environment as calming as possible and visual stimulation to a minimum. Hues of pale yellow, blue, pink and green work particularly well. 

Remember, certain paint can give off harmful fumes even after it’s dry. To be safe, choose a non-toxic paint for painting the nursery. These paints are lead-free and odourless, making it a safer option for use while you’re pregnant as well.

If you like bright colours and bold prints, it’s best to wait until your baby is six months old before introducing these. Also, avoid placing toys or mobiles near the cot, where they can serve to distract and stimulate your baby when you want them to sleep.

Other useful items

Invest in the following to keep your nursery as comfortable and convenient as possible:

A monitor – allows you to hear your baby wake up or cry from anywhere in the house

A cot mattress protector - protects the mattress in the case of bedwetting

Swaddling cloth - for wrapping baby tightly

A changing mat -  to go on top of the compactum

Receiving blankets

Towelling nappies - to use when burping

Baby laundry detergent and fabric softener

A wall-panel heater for cold winter nights

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