Top 10 list - Nursery Design Notes

Given that I design sets for a living, it seems only a natural progression that I would eventually transition from making art for children’s rooms to actually designing the rooms that the art goes in.  Creating a room that looks good is easy.  Making it function for the needs of a new parent and young baby has all been an interesting learning experience.

 1.  Baby furniture is simple and minimal.  Crib + Dresser/Change table.   However, the choices in style and price points are extensive.  It’s easy to get carried away.

2.    A comfortable chair is important.  Important = doing your research and splurging a little to get something decent.

3.    It’s always best to find your focus pieces first (carpet, window treatment, bedding etc) and then mix your paint to compliment.  It’s much more of a challenge to paint first and then try to match your accessories.

4.    The 4 piece or 7 piece bedding sets are a bit of a rip off.  They look so cute and seems like an easy matchy matchy solution, but you don’t use half of the stuff in them. 

5.    When you make your baby registry include “clues” to your décor theme.  Some people will check the registry for ideas but then buy from other sources.  For example if your room colors are blue and green and brown, included items of that color.   If you have decorated around elephants, include elephant related items.  You can always return/exchange the “clue” pieces later for things you actually need.

6.    The crib mobile is not a decorative object – you can’t choose it based on how well it matches your décor

7.    You need multiples of things – crib sheets, change table covers.  You can buy all of the same one but it’s more fun to mix and match for different looks.

8.    It’s not all about the baby, there needs to be a place in the nursery for “Mommy’s things” – A soft light, books, breast pump etc.

9.    Make sure things are easily cleanable – Babies produce projectile liquids of all textures and colors.  Consider things that can be wiped down, thrown in the laundry or have patterns that hide splatters.  

10. A babies needs are simple to start, but they grow pretty fast.  You need to plan from the start how the nursery will change with your child.

Airplane art available at Skårtshop.com