Inspiration and Advice on Decorating a Nursery

Decorating a nursery is one of the loveliest tasks when preparing for the birth of a child, but it can also feel overwhelming. Do we go for pink or blue? What furniture will we need? How do we make it cosy without being cluttered? We'll help you address all these questions, as well as give you some useful tips on creating the perfect space for your baby to grow into.

Here's what you need to consider when decorating a nursery:

Atmosphere

You want to create a calm, yet playful space. Stick to a tranquil base palette and add splashes of colour with accessories and wall art. Avoid cluttering up the room with unnecessary furniture. When your baby is tiny you will need a crib or cot, a place to change diapers and store clothes, plus a comfy chair or sofa for nursing or soothing during the night. That's it. If you've got the space, this neat little sofa is a beauty. Work the design of the room around the cot or bed, or sofa if you have one, as this will be the main focal point. When your child gets older you can add a small desk, but try to keep the space as clear as possible. Even when there are toys strewn around, a clutter-free room will still look stylish and help you feel on top of things. If your space is small, keep things simple and use prints and pops of colour rather than cramming the room with stuff. This is a great example of a vibrant, small nursery space that looks fab.

Space to grow into

Those newborn weeks will pass in a flurry, so plan ahead when designing your nursery. Make sure the room is flexible enough to meet the needs of your child as they grow. This means avoiding too much gender-specific colour or babyish furnishings - instead, opt for animal pictures and wall decals that can be easily switched up when your child gets older. These birdhouse decals are adorable and great if you are renting your home or want something that can be easily changed.

Colour and pattern

If you don't know the gender of your baby, or are keen to avoid baby pinks and powder blues, keep wall colours neutral and add interest with pattern and colour in other parts of the room. Dots, stripes, monochrome, lettering and stars are all perfect ways to bring life to a nursery without dominating the room. We love these triangle decals for a bit of monochrome fun. Don't be afraid of the dark: charcoal colours are huge this season, and a deep blue looks amazing with a lighter wall as contrast. This image shows how a darker colour can work beautifully and create great contrast. Other big current colour trends are blush tones, copper and greys.

Eco-friendly and non-toxic

It's important that your nursery not only looks amazing but that it helps your child stay healthy too. Choose low volatile organic compound paints, or environmentally-friendly ones, to reduce paint fumes. These products come in gorgeous colours so you don't have to compromise on style and finish. Try Farrow and Ball or Annie Sloan for sumptuous, non-toxic paints in fabulous colours. The same applies to toys and furnishings - choose wooden toys where possible, and use natural fabrics like linens, sheepskins and wool throws to add softness and texture. This pic shows how you can use rugs to add warmth to a room.

Feed the imagination

When your baby is very young a simple mobile hung above the cot will bring great pleasure. You can make your own using feathers, shells and cut up pieces of coloured paper, or buy one like this lovely wool/felt mobile (a perfect gift, no?). As they get older kids love imaginative play so keep things fun with a den or tepee, some simple dress-up clothes in a box, a pile of wooden bricks and some cooking pots and play food. These can be stored in baskets on shelves or under the bed, and if kept separately make tidying up not just easy but a chore your child can get involved with.

Any other ideas to share about great ways to decorate beautiful, practical and inspiring nurseries? Leave us a comment below.

For more ideas on home decoration hit here and here.

(Images via: desiretoinspire.net, mydomaine.com, amara.com and etsy.com)

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