How to Plan a Baby Nursery

One of the joys of pregnancy is getting ready for the baby to join your family. Preparing space for your baby can be fun, but also overwhelming. The cost and time required for preparing a baby nursery is significant. With a bit of planning, you can create the perfect baby nursery to welcome your new family member into your home.

Instructions

1

Consider waiting to plan your nursery until you find out the gender of your child. This knowledge makes choosing colors and themes much easier. If you do not plan on finding out the gender of your child, you can choose a neutral color palette and theme.

2

Look through baby magazines, baby store catalogs (print and online, such as www.babiesrus.com), or simply browse through baby stores to get an idea of what kinds of colors, themes and furniture you prefer. Magazines and catalogs are great ways to see a variety of completed baby nurseries to gather ideas.

3

Choose a color palette and/or theme for the baby nursery. Some parents-to-be choose themes such as farm animals, cartoon characters, cars or nature. Others choose simple combinations such as blue/chocolate or pink/green. Remember to think about the best color furniture to complement your choices.

4

Choose the furniture you will need. A traditional baby nursery includes a crib, dresser and changing table. A variety of choices are available to fit your needs, including dresser and changing-table combos. To save money on baby nursery furniture, consider browsing local consignment shops and baby consignment sales for gently used items.

5

Design the layout of your nursery furniture. It is best to arrange the crib away from windows and HVAC vents. When placing your changing table, consider how you will stand next to it when changing your baby's diapers.

6

Shop for bedding and complementary accessories. Remember to include baskets, tubs or other organizational tools to hold various nursery items such as diapering needs, toys and pacifiers. If you are starting a baby registry, add such items to your registry to ease the cost burden.