Designing baby bedrooms – Smart considerations to simplify a design for your baby’s bedroom
Expectant parents eagerly prepare for the welcoming of their newest family member. Out come the catalogs, paint samples and themed designs. It is a world of many choices and can get very overwhelming, very quickly. But before you decide on that unique shade of pale blue that you like so much, there are a few things you might want to consider before committing to a color or style scheme.
1. Don’t forget to consider the baby!
Even with the purest of intentions, parents can get lost in their own favorites when planning baby’s new room. Stop and consider what the baby’s practical needs in the room will be for the first few months. Obviously, sleeping comes at the top of this list. For this reason, lighting should be a top consideration. Soft lighting and window shades or blinds would be preferable to bright, overhead lighting and window sheers, especially if the nursery will have several windows. A well-placed night light and a small table lamp with a low wattage bulb will keep the room peaceful yet allow for you to maneuver as needed.
Also consider that while most traditional infant themes heavily incorporate pastel colors, babies respond early on to primary colors. While friends may throw lavish praises your way for tiny pink tea roses on the wallpaper, your goal is to provide a nurturing, positive environment for your baby.
2. Furniture: The Needs and The Wants
Who hasn’t been tempted to scrap the budget and splurge on that adorable Victorian style cradle with all the beautiful antique lace? Tempting as it may be, practicality is your best friend when purchasing furniture for baby’s new room.
A well designed crib, changing table and armoire or chest, and a rocker or glider are essential furniture pieces. If you have heirloom pieces that can be readily reused or reconditioned, by all means, do so! This is a wonderful way to begin handing down your own history to your little one. Just be sure that cribs meet safety standards and use caution with any paint or materials used to refinish pieces.
Be careful not to crowd out the baby’s room with unnecessary furniture and other items. You’ll want as much space as possible, since this will be the area where you will provide a great deal of your baby’s care. For example, a standing mirror might be an attractive touch, but it won’t serve a very useful purpose beyond that. Be sure you want to compromise the space before you make the purchase.
3. To Theme or Not To Theme
Winnie the Pooh is almost too much for any expectant parent to resist, especially when he graces blankets, bumper pads, curtains and border paper. If this is something that is important for you to bring into your child’s world early on, then you should go for it. But keep in mind that themed rooms can quickly become dated or inappropriate for the age in a very short time.
Rather than a themed character you might want to consider a broader theme approach, such as a garden theme, a boat theme, or a circus theme. This opens your options so that you can do the more permanent details, such as paint and trim, in specific colors and add your theme in details such as lampshades, curtains, area rugs, and artwork. These items can easily be exchanged for new ones as your baby grows or when you decide you’re ready for a decorating update.
The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the experience! If it becomes frustrating then take a step back and reevaluate the situation. Try to regain your perspective. You’ve already furnished your little one’s world with love and all the rest is simply icing on the cake!
