How to Design a Baby’s Nursery: Tips & Tricks from Our Family to Yours
Creating a baby nursery either sounds like the easiest or most difficult thing in the world, depending on your interior design skills. No matter whether you consider yourself a bit of a Nick Knowles in DIY or you’re throwing yourself in the deep end, there are some baby room design essentials you need to know before you begin.
Don't worry, though – we've got you covered with everything you need to know about baby room design and how to lay out a baby nursery so it's cosy yet functional, even at 3 am!
Baby Nursery Design Basics
Designing your baby's nursery is an exciting and joyous task. While it may seem overwhelming without clear guidelines, it really boils down to creating a safe, functional, and soothing environment at the heart of baby nursery design.
Ensuring safety is of utmost importance when setting up your baby's room. It's crucial to have sturdy furniture and eliminate any potential hazards, such as sharp edges or small objects.
Functional design should include easily accessible storage for baby essentials, a cosy feeding chair, and ample lighting. To create a soothing atmosphere, consider using calming colours, soft textures, and perhaps a mobile or gentle music. Remember, this space should provide comfort and reassurance for both you and your little one.
Selecting the Right Furniture for Your Nursery
The main part of nursery design is to get the furniture your baby needs to have a comfortable and safe place to sleep as well as giving you plenty of storage for everything that babies come with.
Selecting the right furniture for your nursery is all about balancing functionality, space, and aesthetics. Once you get all three right, you'll have the ideal nursery.
Essential Furniture Pieces
There are a few essential pieces of furniture you need for your nursery. These key pieces of furniture for a nursery typically include:
- Crib or Cot: This is where your baby will sleep. Ensure that it meets the latest safety standards and is sturdy and comfortable. We recommend the SnüzPod4, SnüzKot, or SnüzBaskit to keep your baby comfortable and settled through the night.
- Changing Table: A changing table or a changing pad secured on top of a dresser is an essential piece for comfortable and convenient diaper changes. We offer a range of contemporary changing tables that offer a safe and convenient place to change your baby, as well as plenty of storage for your baby's things.
- Dresser: A quality dresser is a worthwhile investment, as it provides storage for clothing and other baby essentials. Our changing units double as a dresser, which is great for saving space in the room.
- Nursing Chair: A comfortable chair for feeding and soothing your baby, ideally one that rocks or glides can be a lifesaver, especially during those late-night feedings. This is a piece of nursery furniture that's often overlooked, but it's an essential piece of furniture for your perfect nursery.
- Bookshelf: While it might seem premature, a bookshelf is a great addition to encourage early literacy and keep books and small toys organised. It can also make the room feel more cosy and is a common feature in many nursery layout ideas.
Each of these pieces plays a vital role in a functional and comfortable nursery. Remember, the most important thing is that they serve their purpose and make your life easier.
Making Sure Everything is to Scale
Ensuring that all nursery furniture is to scale is crucial for several reasons. Primarily, it optimises the use of available space. Small nurseries can quickly feel cramped with oversized furniture, and it can pose a safety risk when your baby starts moving independently. Conversely, a large room with tiny furniture might feel sparse and unwelcoming.
Secondly, keeping furniture to scale creates a harmonious visual balance, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the nursery.
It's also important for practical reasons like reaching for items easily, moving around freely, and accommodating future additions as your baby grows. Before purchasing, we recommend that you always measure your space and compare it against the dimensions of the furniture pieces.
Colour Schemes for a Welcoming Space
Choosing the perfect colour scheme can have a profound and lasting effect when it comes to creating the right atmosphere in a baby nursery. The right choice of colours can evoke feelings of tranquillity, promote relaxation, and stimulate the baby's visual development.
Neutral Tones
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Neutral tones such as greys, beiges, and whites bring a timeless and versatile appeal to your baby's nursery. These soothing colours create a serene environment, providing a blank canvas for you to express your creativity.
You can infuse vibrant splashes of colour through carefully selected bedding, captivating artwork, or charming accessories to breathe life and character into the space. Embrace the limitless possibilities and create a truly enchanting haven where your little one can flourish with warmth and comfort.
We’ve designed our nursery furniture and bedding using contemporary tones, like our classic dove grey and signature crisp white, so they’re the perfect way to create a neutral nursery.
Making the Most of the Space in Your Nursery
Space is the biggest consideration when it comes to how to set up a baby nursery. Ultimately, there's very little you can do about the space you have available, but, thankfully, there are some clever nursery layout tips and tricks that can help you make the most of the space you have.
Smart Storage Designs
The most important thing to consider when working with limited space is your storage. No matter how little the space is, babies come with a lot of stuff, so you need somewhere to put it.
Wall-mounted shelves or hooks are great solutions that can offer extra storage without taking up floor space. Consider using multi-purpose furniture like a cot with built-in storage or a changing table that doubles as a dresser. Parents love the SnüzKot and SnüzFino Changing Units – they can be used as a dresser and changing table, helping you make the most of your space.
Vertical storage, such as tall bookcases or hanging organisers, can also be a great way to utilise space. Also, a well-placed mirror can create the illusion of a larger room. Under-bed storage boxes are a clever solution for storing items that aren't frequently used, like out-of-season clothing or extra bedding.
Mounted Toys
Having a baby means there's going to be lots of toys around, even when they're small. Make the most of the space available to you by investing in toys mounted on walls or furniture to maximise your floor space.
Our SnüzCloud Baby Sleep Aid is ideal for comforting and settling your baby at bedtime, and it can be easily hung from your baby’s crib or Moses basket. It features a range of light and sound options. It even won Silver in the Made For Mums Toy Awards in 2019!
The Snüz Baby Mobile also mounts to the side of our range of cribs and bassinets to give your baby some relaxing stimulation while minimising the amount of space you need.
Add the Perfect Finishing Touch With Snüz
Designing your nursery, especially for your first baby, is an exciting and personal process. However, it can also feel overwhelming at times.
With our helpful guide on how to design a baby nursery, you can explore nursery ideas, knowing that you can make the most of your space and get everything you need to create a practical and inviting space.
Explore our range of contemporary baby nursery furniture online at Snüz today!
Check out our blog for more baby nursery layout ideas and pregnancy advice.
Faqs
Starting to design your nursery around the midpoint of your pregnancy, approximately at 20 weeks, is a good idea. This allows you plenty of time to plan, purchase essentials, and decorate without feeling rushed but also ensures you're well past the early stages of pregnancy when energy levels might be lower. Remember, it's a project to enjoy, not a task to stress over.
Planning a nursery layout involves careful consideration of the room's size and shape. Start by measuring the room and placing essential furniture pieces such as the crib, changing table, and dresser. Aim for an easy flow of movement, ensuring everything is within easy reach. Incorporate storage solutions and leave open space for play. The layout should prioritise safety, practicality, and comfort for both the baby and the parents.
The crib should ideally be placed away from windows to avoid drafts, direct sunlight, or potential safety hazards from window treatments. It should also be away from any heaters or electrical outlets. The position should allow for easy visibility from the doorway and easy access for parents. Keep the crib clear of any wall decorations that could pose a risk if they fall. Remember, safety and convenience should be paramount when deciding on the crib's placement.
To set up a baby nursery, you need essential furniture like a crib, changing table, dresser, and a nursing chair. You should also consider storage solutions, soft lighting, a soothing colour palette, and safety measures like cordless window treatments. Don't forget comforting elements like soft rugs, gentle music, or a mobile to create a calm atmosphere. Prioritise functionality, safety, and comfort before personalising the space to your tastes.
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