April 2007
Nursery decorating dos and don’ts
Don't limit yourself to linens. A crib skirt or fitted sheet can set the style and tone for your baby's nursery. But you can also pull a color scheme from
a patterned rug, which, incidentally, helps camouflage stains and spills. A piece of artwork can be your creative catalyst,
and it doesn't have to be a pricey oil painting. An inexpensive poster will do. "Or, if you have older children, involve them
in decorating the baby's room by having them paint or draw a picture that you mat and frame," suggests Suzanne Morrissey,
the editor of Kids' Rooms Etc. "If you have your heart set on certain colors, just give them those colors of markers or paint
to work with."
Do design the nursery to fit your taste. "Don't be afraid to depart from pastels," says Serena Dugan, co-CEO and designer of Serena & Lily, a Sausalito, Calif., company that manufactures luxury bedding and furnishings for nurseries and children's rooms. "Creating a memorable nursery means stepping outside of what's predictable." Instead of using whimsical wallpaper or a painting the room a babyish blue or pink, consider a paint hue that your child won't grow out of so quickly, such as yellow, lime green, or lavender for girls, or navy, red, or Kelly green for boys. Then just change the accessories to update.
Do consider convertible furniture. Furniture that morphs--a crib that converts to a toddler bed, a changing table that changes into a desk--can help you go the distance so that when your baby moves onto the "big boy" or "big girl" stage, the room doesn't need a design overhaul.
Don't forget the ceiling. "Babies spend a lot of time looking up, so consider painting the ceiling an inspiring color and apply whimsical appliqués, or hang an interesting chandelier, such as one with jewels of different colors," suggests Suzann Nordstrom, a mother of twins and an interior designer on the faculty of the Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg.
Do secure chests or tables. Growing toddlers will climb on the furniture, so bolt high bookcases and chests to the wall so they won't tip if your child climbs on them. Or choose furniture that's wide and low to the ground.
Don't place your baby's crib near windows, draperies, toys, blinds, wall-mounted decorative accessories with long cords, or other furniture so an adventurous baby can't reach anything dangerous. Stencils on the walls are a safe alternative to wall hangings.
Do arrange furniture so it's safe for you, too. Position furniture and toys so you'll have a clear path when you enter the room at night. Any area rug or throw rug should have a nonskid backing or be secured to the floor with double-faced tape so no edges stick up.
Don't wait until the last minute to paint. Paint the nursery at least one week before your baby's arrival. That allows time for fumes to subside before your baby comes home. If possible, use a paint that's labeled low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), chemicals that can vaporize into the air and may be irritating to a baby (and to some adults). Wear a respirator or mask when applying low-VOC or any paint. To reduce other fumes, air out new furniture and anything made of plastic or wood.
Do design the nursery to fit your taste. "Don't be afraid to depart from pastels," says Serena Dugan, co-CEO and designer of Serena & Lily, a Sausalito, Calif., company that manufactures luxury bedding and furnishings for nurseries and children's rooms. "Creating a memorable nursery means stepping outside of what's predictable." Instead of using whimsical wallpaper or a painting the room a babyish blue or pink, consider a paint hue that your child won't grow out of so quickly, such as yellow, lime green, or lavender for girls, or navy, red, or Kelly green for boys. Then just change the accessories to update.
Do consider convertible furniture. Furniture that morphs--a crib that converts to a toddler bed, a changing table that changes into a desk--can help you go the distance so that when your baby moves onto the "big boy" or "big girl" stage, the room doesn't need a design overhaul.
Don't forget the ceiling. "Babies spend a lot of time looking up, so consider painting the ceiling an inspiring color and apply whimsical appliqués, or hang an interesting chandelier, such as one with jewels of different colors," suggests Suzann Nordstrom, a mother of twins and an interior designer on the faculty of the Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg.
Do secure chests or tables. Growing toddlers will climb on the furniture, so bolt high bookcases and chests to the wall so they won't tip if your child climbs on them. Or choose furniture that's wide and low to the ground.
Don't place your baby's crib near windows, draperies, toys, blinds, wall-mounted decorative accessories with long cords, or other furniture so an adventurous baby can't reach anything dangerous. Stencils on the walls are a safe alternative to wall hangings.
Do arrange furniture so it's safe for you, too. Position furniture and toys so you'll have a clear path when you enter the room at night. Any area rug or throw rug should have a nonskid backing or be secured to the floor with double-faced tape so no edges stick up.
Don't wait until the last minute to paint. Paint the nursery at least one week before your baby's arrival. That allows time for fumes to subside before your baby comes home. If possible, use a paint that's labeled low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), chemicals that can vaporize into the air and may be irritating to a baby (and to some adults). Wear a respirator or mask when applying low-VOC or any paint. To reduce other fumes, air out new furniture and anything made of plastic or wood.
