How to Design Baby Rooms

Designing a baby room can be a very exciting experience for new parents. Whether you are having a boy or girl or are waiting to be surprised at the birth to find out your baby's sex, there are are myriad designs you can use for your nursery. In addition, you must take into account safety concerns for your baby and your own needs throughout the room to make simple things like a diaper change easier. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Decide on a theme for your baby's room. Take into consideration the baby's sex (if known), or if the sex is not known, pick a theme that will work for either. You can choose from different characters, stick to a color palette or choose a theme such as a circus, ocean theme or nautical theme, to name a few.

2

Choose several different paint colors that match with your room's theme. Purchase samples at your local hardware store, and try them out on the walls in your baby's new room. Trying out several colors will help you narrow your choice.

3

Paint the room in the color you have chosen. You can use designer techniques to paint the room, such as sponge painting or painting stripes or other designs on the walls. Put down a plastic sheet over the floor to prevent any spillage on the floor, and use painter's tape around the edges for the molding and ceiling.

4

Decide if you will need to purchase new carpet for the room, or---if you have hardwood floors---if you want to place a large area rug in the room. Hardwood floors offer the advantage of being easily cleaned, while carpets can trap dirt easily. However, carpets offer added protection for your baby when he gets old enough to walk and is developing his motor skills. The padding from the carpet will help prevent injuries.

5

Purchase baby furniture for the room. Prices may range between $400 to $2,000 for a crib, mattress, changing table and dresser. In addition, check the safety of each item, especially cribs. When you purchase a crib, check regularly for recalls and safety hazards associated with it, and register your purchase with the manufacturer so it will notify you directly of any recalls.

6

Purchase the bedding for the room to match the theme of your choice. Many bedding sets will also come with a matching set for lamps, curtains and other decorations for the room. You can purchase these to match the set, or match your own to the room.

7

Hang blackout shades or curtains in the room. This will help keep the room dark for daytime naps and help your little one sleep longer.

8

Arrange the furniture in the room. Place the crib near the doorway but away from windows for safety reasons. In addition, place the changing table/pad in a location that is close to where you will have the diaper pail located. You may also want to keep the changing table/pad near the closet to make it easier to locate clothes when dressing your child.

9

Arrange the other safety items in the room. Place all covers on the electrical outlets, add any padding to sharp corners, add any needed doorknob covers to the doors, and place a holder on the string for your shades/blinds. These holders will keep the string up high enough that your child will not be able to reach it, but you will still be able to easily move it up and down as needed.