When you have a newborn baby you’ll spend almost as much time in the nursery as your infant. Because of this, it’s essential to create a soothing and comfortable space for both parents and babies. “I truly believe that the environments we build for our children shape them as they grow and develop, so cultivating a space that is comfortable, soft and loving is key,” explains Breegan Jane, celebrity nursery designer, HGTV Star, and modern moments™ by Gerber collection Lifestyle Expert.
A soothing nursery can have benefits for parents and babies alike. Luckily, we got some tips from Jane so that no detail gets forgotten. “People tend to forget that the colors, textures and decor you select for a baby’s room will also impact the parent who will spend time in the space caring for their child,” she explains.
Parents can start to plan out and decorate their nursery at the time that’s right for them. The nursery design can be one of the first steps when getting excited about a new baby. With a great foundation of simple and sophisticated furniture and comfortable essentials, parents are then able to change things or make updates as they get acquainted with the space and the needs of their baby.
Jane says to keep these key tips in mind when planning your soothing nursery:
Cohesiveness is key
In order to keep cohesive, select a theme first, a linear idea. “It’s an easy way to make sure everything goes together and sticking with one theme creates consistency and cohesiveness with items that perfectly complement one another,” explaines Jane. “And, let’s be real, if a nursery matches and has a common theme, the inevitable mess won’t matter as much!”
Lighting is integral
Lighting plays a major role in caring for a young baby. At times you may find yourself tiptoeing in the middle of the night trying not to wake the baby and getting the room dark enough for an afternoon nap. Wall sconces and floor and table lamps come in all types of elevated designs that can coordinate with your teme and control the direction and amount of light in the room. Jane suggests using light fixtures with dimmers to easily adjust the brightness of the lighting.
Color is fun to play with
Keeping muted color and tones as the room scheme will help you not overwhelm the space and will complement each other. Certain colors can be fun while still being sophisticated, like lavender and teal, instead of bubblegum pink and primary blue. If you love neutrals, you can keep them as your base and add pops of bright or bold colors as desired.
Keep it timeless
Your baby is going to grow and it can be smart to create a room that “grows” with your baby. Bigger choices like paint color can stay neutral so that your decor items can be changed out over the years when your child wants a different theme.
Proper storage is essential for organization and cleaning
Kids are going to make messes and closed storage is important so that all the mess gets put behind doors. “If you keep a room clean and tidy it will always look sophisticated,” says Jane.
Baskets with lids and multi-use furniture like a storage ottoman, can help design a room while keeping the space functional and tidy. “For example, a closed storage bureau with clean lines creates a modern feel and instantly elevates the space.”
Include beautiful necessities
White noise machines help babies fall asleep more easily and rockers are cute and comfortable. Including these necessities can help ensure the space is useful for parents to easily care for their babies in a room that satisfies all of the senses.
Lastly, Jane recommends that parents don’t try to do too much when designing a nursery. A color palette and single theme used throughout the entire room will keep the room cohesive. “Don’t underestimate the impact of nursery accessories, changing pad covers, for instance, are a focal point in your nursery that isn’t necessarily obvious,” Breegan shares.
