Preparing the Nursery: What First-Time Parents Need to Know

Having a baby is one of the most important moments in a parent’s life. That being said, it’s also one of the most stressful times!

If you’re at a loss about how to go about decorating the nursery, then read on.

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This is the most crucial step in starting your nursery. When choosing the right room for your baby, it’s important to get one with lots of light.

If you’re renovating the rooms and have a say in the type of floors you want, go with light tiles or hardwood floors that show dirt and is easy to clean.

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Decided to keep the sex of the baby a secret? Or just avoiding gender roles in general? Picking a neutral colour scheme is the way to go.  Find a colour that’s calming and relaxing, like soft greens, pale blues, or even light grey.

Painted walls too plain for your liking? Then paint stripes to add a fun element!

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It’s important to choose a baby crib that works for your child, family planning needs, and one that goes well with the room.

If you find that the classic crib doesn’t quite cut it in terms of money’s worth, there’s also the convertible crib that can grow with your child. For the practical parent, you can look for cribs with built-in storage. If you want the option of totting your child from room to room, then we recommend portable baby cribs.

Another thing to take into consideration is the colour of your baby bed. To be on the safe side, keep it neutral or in a classic wooden finish.

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Even the teeniest tiniest baby clothes need to be tucked away neatly for easy organisation and accessibility. Keep them within reach with chests of drawers and make use of creative storage solutions like acrylic boxes for diapers and other bulky baby items.

You can even put a changing mat on top and voila, you’ve got a changing table!

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Apart from storage, you’ll also want to consider getting a comfortable one-seater for all the times you’ll be nursing there. Consider the upholstery and how it fits into the current theme, though comfort should always come first.

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A bare nursery can be a drain, especially when you’re tired and just want a visual pick-me-up. Add a touch of yourself with a fun print, wooly rugs, or family pictures that will make you and the baby feel at home.

The child will grow in this room, so avoid major thematic designs that are permanent or semi-permanent. You want a room that is able to grow with the child, and not one that needs a complete overhaul when they start voicing opinions about the zoo mural. Future you will thank you for doing this.

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Lighting is another important factor to consider – avoid fluorescent lights as the glare can be stressful for you and the baby.

Even if the room gets lots of natural sunlight, you’ll need a soft lamp come nightfall, and for days when natural sunlight is too harsh. Pick a lamp that suits the mood and theme that you’ve picked for the nursery.

If you’re at a loss, an adjustable arc floor lamp is a versatile pick that will be perfect for most situations.

The final step when preparing the nursery is to baby-proof the room. A newborn doesn’t pose that big of a hazard, but when they start learning to crawl (or God forbid, walk!), you’ll want to make sure your baby will be safe if you happen to take your eyes off them for a minute.

Bolt furniture to the walls, as they can topple over if your child tries to use the drawers as a staircase to heaven, and avoid storage solutions that can snap shut over your child’s fingers or body.