Nursery Essentials: What You Really Need
Before you go all out decorating your baby's room, find out what you'll actually want in there
I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
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I have been spending most of my waking hours planning for my baby's nursery and pulling together just the right mix of practical and cool. Since this is my second, I know what I really need, what I can reuse from my first and what is a complete waste of money and space. As a minimalist with little square footage, here are my recommendations for pulling together a nursery. Yes, there are many extravagant options out there you will be tempted or coerced to put on your wish list, but here's what you will actually need.
Browse photos of kids' rooms
Browse photos of kids' rooms
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| Let's start with the crib, the first thing on your list. I feel that a simple model such as the Jenny Lind is just right. You don't really need the convertible versions that change from a crib to a toddler bed to a full size bed. Most of them look awkward in their non-crib forms. They are more expensive than the basic crib models offered by Ikea, Land of Nod or Pottery Barn Kids or Craigslist. And, realistically, by the time your child is ready for their next stage of sleeping, you will probably be over the original style you chose. And it takes all the fun out of buying their "big boy/girl bed." Make sure that the model you pick is not on any recall list. Private Comment
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| The second essential nursery item is a changing station. You don't need a dedicated changing table; it just takes up room. The best solution I have found is placing the changing pad on top of a dresser. When your baby grows, the changing pad will come off and you will still have a great piece for storage. You can take the opportunity to mount display shelves on the wall above for decorative toys, photographs, books and other mementos. Private Comment
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| Here is a detail shot of the changing station. Pick a dresser that is deep enough for a changing pad and wide enough to accommodate a basket of diapers, wipes, balms, lotions and hand sanitizer. Private Comment
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An antique dresser can be refurbished and restyled to create a darling changing station.
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A glider or rocking chair is the third item you will need. You will be spending a lot of time nursing and rocking your baby to sleep. Make sure you have a comfortable chair set up close to the crib, with a foot rest and lots of back support in the form of pillows.
It doesn't hurt to also have a small side table to place a cup of water, your phone, a journal with pen for logging your baby's feeding and sleep schedule, and some reading materials.
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It doesn't hurt to also have a small side table to place a cup of water, your phone, a journal with pen for logging your baby's feeding and sleep schedule, and some reading materials.
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| Storage is key. Whether it's a closet, shelves of boxes, a free standing armoire or dresser — you will need a lot of storage for all their little clothes, shoes, bedding, diapers, toys and baby gear. Boxes with clear labels of the contents within will help. If you have open shelving, keep lids off boxes for easy access. Private Comment
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Soft surfaces are important too once your baby is crawling. A nice sheepskin rug you can throw on the floor or on a chair, a pouf for them to lean on as they start standing and scooting, and any soft floor rug (a cowhide is shown here) are all ideal.
Bonus: Notice the wallpaper on the ceiling for an original jolt of visual interest as your baby stares up from the crib.
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Bonus: Notice the wallpaper on the ceiling for an original jolt of visual interest as your baby stares up from the crib.
Dark window shades or blackout curtains are very important for nap time. It takes a while for your baby to start sleeping normally outside of the womb. Dark shades or curtains will help you get them down for naps much quicker and enjoy some me time while you can grab it.
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| Soft low light in the room or baby's sleeping area is more important for you than them. Babies aren't scared of the dark, but a soft low light will create a soothing environment for them and keep you from bumping into furniture when you stumble into the room in the middle of the night for a feeding. Private Comment
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Mobiles are one thing you don't need. Newborn vision is too blurry to make out a mobile above the crib. And some mothers believe that older babies get distracted from sleeping by mobiles. I'm not saying you shouldn't install a mobile, just that it won't really aid your baby in sleeping.
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| Mature color palettes will serve you in the long run. You may be itching to deck out the room in princess themes if it's a girl, sports for a boy or jungle safari for gender-neutral, but your baby will be a toddler with his or her own likes and dislikes before you know it. Instead of redecorating every couple of years, pick a neutral wall color and install removable wall decals with your theme of choice. A good idea for an accent wall is to pick a wallpaper that you can envision in an adult bedroom or office — just in case — such as this example. Private Comment
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A gender-neutral room does not have to be green or yellow. Creames, taupes and beiges offer a soothing nursery. Don't you love the effect of painting two-toned striped walls?
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A guest bed or futon is not a nursery essential, but it will be a welcome addition if you have the floor space for it. Sometimes during nursing you will be too pooped to make it back to your own bed and you will just want to lie down.
When you start sleep training, it will be a comfortable spot for you to wait. It can also be a cute corner for reading time and an additional sleeping spot for that out-of-town guest (a.k.a. grandma).
Readers' Choice: 20 Most Popular Kids Rooms of 2011
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When you start sleep training, it will be a comfortable spot for you to wait. It can also be a cute corner for reading time and an additional sleeping spot for that out-of-town guest (a.k.a. grandma).
Readers' Choice: 20 Most Popular Kids Rooms of 2011
Comments
joffler says:
Good article. Our first is 5 month's old. We thought maybe we were being a little restrained but we realized we thought it out well and ended up acquiring only those things that are essential and put together a great nursery. The only extravagance was an inexpensive crystal chandelier from overstock.com. and a quiet, remote-controlled rocker recliner. The nursery set was given to us and refinished to our tastes, the shelving unit was purchased off craigslist and refinished and the drapes were picked up at Target. And we have all we need for an efficient, comfortable and pleasant nursery. We don't even have a matchy-matchy crib bumper. (Pics shown are pre-arrival)
4 months ago ·
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katebriscoe says:
This is a great article. I wish I had had it 9 years ago! There is one amazing convertible crib/bed that goes from tiny to 10 years old which I have only recently discovered and would get if I was starting all over again: The Stokke convertible. It is expensive but by the time I added up all the money I spent on IKEA, mattresses, driving to stores etc etc over 7 years not to mention the time I spent thinking about all this I think it would have worked out the same! Check it out here, it is a thing of beauty and wonder: http://www.stokke.com/nursery/stokke-sleepi-bed.aspx
4 months ago ·
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sovacool says:
I love your ideas! You are so right. My only additional comment would be to decorate the nursery exactly how YOU want it as a mom. The baby will have no idea and it should be a room that relaxes, inspires, and speaks to you. You will be the one there in the middle of the night barely awake and if it's a pretty little place for you, all the better! Later it will be great fun to redecorate with your kid's ideas and taste.
4 months ago ·
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Check this curator's blog for some great artwork for nurseries:
http://www.printedart.com/content/first-impressions
http://www.printedart.com/content/first-impressions
4 months ago ·
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househaven says:
These are good suggestions. I also used the dresser/changing station and have a midcentury-inspired futon. I avoided picking baby-themed pieces/decor, and used grays, soft aquas, beiges, and a pop of orange for contrast, to keep it gender neutral, since I kept the sex a surprise. The point is so I can move my son into his own "big boy" room, decorated according to his tastes (at 15-months, we're still not sure what those are) and keep the nursery as is for the next one. Once all our babies are grown up (whimper), we will have furniture we can use in other places in our home.
4 months ago ·
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aseear says:
The one thing I couldn't live without is a lamp that turns on with a touch and has three settings. So many times I have had my hands completely full and not wanted to turn on the main light because of a sleeping baby, and I could just touch the side light on with my elbow or the back of my hand. I swear that anyone with a newborn should put it on their list!
4 months ago ·
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brmh says:
I only ever used the bathroom counter as a changing table -- much more convenient to plenty of warm water!
4 months ago ·
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adrianagores says:
I would add that in earthquake country I wouldn't recommend putting shelves over the changing table.
4 months ago ·
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evergrove says:
Although they are pretty in some of the above pictures, my dauther- in- law tells me that crib bumpers are now a no, no because of reports of sudden infant death syndrome associated with them.
4 months ago ·
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laurabox says:
Great article - we are on to no.2 now and I agree with all the points made here. Maybe because we seemed to follow them! Changing mat moves to the floor once baby can roll - so useful to have a place to tidy it away. Blackout blinds/curtains and plenty of storage a must!
3 months ago ·
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