Baby Love: Dreamy Nurseries To Coo Over
Pamper a precious newcomer with a comfortable, safe cocoon, gorgeous enough to bring on the warm fuzzies
Janet Dunn
10 August 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
Feathering a little nest for a fledgling addition to the family is truly a labour of love, full of excitement and flutters of anticipation. Nothing brings out the child within more than decorating with a baby’s-eye view – here’s how to fashion a pretty and practical nook to welcome baby beautifully into your world.
A baby’s first glimpse of a new home should be as beautiful as they are. At first, parents may prefer to keep a newborn in their bedroom, but when it’s time to move baby into their own space, an appealing and practical environment will make those feeds in the wee smalls more bearable, and playtime a joy. These photogenic nurseries offer some delightful ideas for snuggly spots – and a few comfort and safety tips too.
A baby’s first glimpse of a new home should be as beautiful as they are. At first, parents may prefer to keep a newborn in their bedroom, but when it’s time to move baby into their own space, an appealing and practical environment will make those feeds in the wee smalls more bearable, and playtime a joy. These photogenic nurseries offer some delightful ideas for snuggly spots – and a few comfort and safety tips too.
Shop for a safe cot
Think long term and splurge on a quality cot that meets safety standards and will last through to toddlerhood – and beyond. Some cots are convertible to a toddler bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. If you’ve inherited a secondhand cot, have it checked for weak joints, protruding screws, rough surfaces, flaky paint and loose components. Be aware that vintage cribs may be painted with lead-based paint.
TIP: Check with Product Safety Australia or look for an Australia/New Zealand Standards label – AS/NZS 2172:2003 indicates that the cot complies.
Think long term and splurge on a quality cot that meets safety standards and will last through to toddlerhood – and beyond. Some cots are convertible to a toddler bed, a daybed and eventually a full-size bed. If you’ve inherited a secondhand cot, have it checked for weak joints, protruding screws, rough surfaces, flaky paint and loose components. Be aware that vintage cribs may be painted with lead-based paint.
TIP: Check with Product Safety Australia or look for an Australia/New Zealand Standards label – AS/NZS 2172:2003 indicates that the cot complies.
Choose a comfy chair
Go for comfort first, looks second. Seek out a kick-out recliner-style, a rocker, or an armchair with some flex – a slight rocking motion comforts an unsettled little night owl. Choose one with good back support, a headrest, and an ottoman too. If space permits, a sofa or daybed where you can catch a snooze is a boon for all-night vigils.
TIP: A washable loose cover for a nice chair can be discarded after the messy business of feeding is over. Keep a pair of warm slip-ons or woolly socks under the chair for nippy mid-night feeds.
Go for comfort first, looks second. Seek out a kick-out recliner-style, a rocker, or an armchair with some flex – a slight rocking motion comforts an unsettled little night owl. Choose one with good back support, a headrest, and an ottoman too. If space permits, a sofa or daybed where you can catch a snooze is a boon for all-night vigils.
TIP: A washable loose cover for a nice chair can be discarded after the messy business of feeding is over. Keep a pair of warm slip-ons or woolly socks under the chair for nippy mid-night feeds.
Soften the floor
Although some parents prefer an easy-to-clean timber surface, a rug or two keeps the room quieter, helps stabilise room temperature and is warmer underfoot at two in the morning. Pick a durable, even washable, fabric with a forgiving pattern – it will get mucky. See how to sew a play mat for baby playtime.
TIP: Have carpets and rugs thoroughly cleaned before baby moves in and clean them regularly to reduce dust.
Although some parents prefer an easy-to-clean timber surface, a rug or two keeps the room quieter, helps stabilise room temperature and is warmer underfoot at two in the morning. Pick a durable, even washable, fabric with a forgiving pattern – it will get mucky. See how to sew a play mat for baby playtime.
TIP: Have carpets and rugs thoroughly cleaned before baby moves in and clean them regularly to reduce dust.
Change places
A change table is a convenient nursery item and there is a world of choice. A shelf and drawer unit with a removable change tray converts to a handy unit for an older child. Open shelves beneath keep powder, creams, wipes and nappies in easy reach. For a small space, look for change tables that flip out and fold away.
TIP: The sides should be at least 100 millimetres higher than the changing surface to prevent rolling. Although a harness ensures complete safety, it’s advisable never to leave baby unsupervised on the table.
A change table is a convenient nursery item and there is a world of choice. A shelf and drawer unit with a removable change tray converts to a handy unit for an older child. Open shelves beneath keep powder, creams, wipes and nappies in easy reach. For a small space, look for change tables that flip out and fold away.
TIP: The sides should be at least 100 millimetres higher than the changing surface to prevent rolling. Although a harness ensures complete safety, it’s advisable never to leave baby unsupervised on the table.
Turn down the lights
Darkness and good sleep go hand in hand, for babies and adults alike. Little bodies are ultra-sensitive to light cues and managing exposure to light and dark is important when their circadian rhythms are developing. Install dimmers on main lights and keep a low-wattage lamp near your feeding chair. Even the glow of a night light can disturb sleep, so keep it dim or even in the hallway outside the room.
TIP: Lined curtains and blinds not only exclude daylight and street lighting at sleep time, but help with insulation and sound absorption too. Keep cords and chains out of reach.
Darkness and good sleep go hand in hand, for babies and adults alike. Little bodies are ultra-sensitive to light cues and managing exposure to light and dark is important when their circadian rhythms are developing. Install dimmers on main lights and keep a low-wattage lamp near your feeding chair. Even the glow of a night light can disturb sleep, so keep it dim or even in the hallway outside the room.
TIP: Lined curtains and blinds not only exclude daylight and street lighting at sleep time, but help with insulation and sound absorption too. Keep cords and chains out of reach.
Sneak in some storage
For such small people, babies need a lot of gear. As some storage needs will be temporary, choose inexpensive felt or cane baskets, boxes, buckets and bins that are versatile and portable too. With colour-coded, labelled or numbered containers slotted into an open shelf unit like this one, baby’s tiny bits and pieces won’t get lost in large drawers. Utilise under-cot space with shallow baskets or wheeled crates, stack modular storage cubes and hang a fabric organiser on the end of the cot.
TIP: An ottoman with a flip-top lid holds extra blankies, toys and less-used items.
For such small people, babies need a lot of gear. As some storage needs will be temporary, choose inexpensive felt or cane baskets, boxes, buckets and bins that are versatile and portable too. With colour-coded, labelled or numbered containers slotted into an open shelf unit like this one, baby’s tiny bits and pieces won’t get lost in large drawers. Utilise under-cot space with shallow baskets or wheeled crates, stack modular storage cubes and hang a fabric organiser on the end of the cot.
TIP: An ottoman with a flip-top lid holds extra blankies, toys and less-used items.
Have fun with colour
Although babies initially only discern shades of black and white, they soon learn to distinguish colours. Interior stylist Emma Blomfield says traditional soft pastels for girls are still favourites – peach, pink, lemon, mint and sage green. Her clients with boy babies often favour pairing neutrals with masculine tones, such as greys, navies and light blues.
TIP: A neutral background, accessorised with colour, will carry you through successive additions to the family with minimal expense.
Although babies initially only discern shades of black and white, they soon learn to distinguish colours. Interior stylist Emma Blomfield says traditional soft pastels for girls are still favourites – peach, pink, lemon, mint and sage green. Her clients with boy babies often favour pairing neutrals with masculine tones, such as greys, navies and light blues.
TIP: A neutral background, accessorised with colour, will carry you through successive additions to the family with minimal expense.
Put some whimsy on the walls and ceiling
Wall stencils, murals and decals give baby a sneak peek at the big world they’ll discover when they’re older. Whether a safari of elephants or camels marches across the room or a tree full of cheerful birds twines up the wall, with removable, reusable and re-positionable stick-on decor, there’ll be no damage done to paintwork or wallpaper.
TIP: A baby’s early view of the world is mostly of the ceiling, so give them something to gaze at by extending decorations onto the ceiling.
Wall stencils, murals and decals give baby a sneak peek at the big world they’ll discover when they’re older. Whether a safari of elephants or camels marches across the room or a tree full of cheerful birds twines up the wall, with removable, reusable and re-positionable stick-on decor, there’ll be no damage done to paintwork or wallpaper.
TIP: A baby’s early view of the world is mostly of the ceiling, so give them something to gaze at by extending decorations onto the ceiling.
Hang a magic mobile
A mobile with engaging and colourful characters swaying and twirling above the cot – hung well out of reach – is an entertaining and diverting addition to the nursery. Above the change table is a great spot too.
TIP: When stimulation is the last thing baby needs, consider a mobile with removable characters and a gentle sleep-inducing tune that can be turned on at nap time.
A mobile with engaging and colourful characters swaying and twirling above the cot – hung well out of reach – is an entertaining and diverting addition to the nursery. Above the change table is a great spot too.
TIP: When stimulation is the last thing baby needs, consider a mobile with removable characters and a gentle sleep-inducing tune that can be turned on at nap time.
Play the name game
Every baby should have a monogram. Once you’ve decided on a name, personalise the space with baby’s full name or initials, loud and proud on the wall.
TIP: DIY it with letters cut from felt.
Every baby should have a monogram. Once you’ve decided on a name, personalise the space with baby’s full name or initials, loud and proud on the wall.
TIP: DIY it with letters cut from felt.
Encourage early art appreciation
Put the icing on the baby cake with decorative artwork to bring on smiles all round when the new arrival takes up residence. Personalise artwork with photos of family members and pets – it will help baby learn to recognise faces.
TIP: Anything on the wall above the cot should be 100 per cent securely attached. Play it safe and find another spot for artwork or shelves.
12 ways to display art in the nursery
Put the icing on the baby cake with decorative artwork to bring on smiles all round when the new arrival takes up residence. Personalise artwork with photos of family members and pets – it will help baby learn to recognise faces.
TIP: Anything on the wall above the cot should be 100 per cent securely attached. Play it safe and find another spot for artwork or shelves.
12 ways to display art in the nursery
Assemble a friendly menagerie
Go to the animal kingdom for a collection of kindly creatures – elephants, camels, bunnies, ducks, puppies, giraffes, zebras, squirrels, monkeys, lambs … encourage your little guy or girl to make friends with toys from an early age. Paddington Bear never seems to go out of fashion.
TIPS: Don’t leave large soft toys in the cot with baby at bedtime. Buy quality and age-appropriate playthings, with advice from the Australian Toy Standard website – look for AS/NZS 8124 on the label. Stay current with toy recalls – the Recalls Australia website gives up-to-date information.
Go to the animal kingdom for a collection of kindly creatures – elephants, camels, bunnies, ducks, puppies, giraffes, zebras, squirrels, monkeys, lambs … encourage your little guy or girl to make friends with toys from an early age. Paddington Bear never seems to go out of fashion.
TIPS: Don’t leave large soft toys in the cot with baby at bedtime. Buy quality and age-appropriate playthings, with advice from the Australian Toy Standard website – look for AS/NZS 8124 on the label. Stay current with toy recalls – the Recalls Australia website gives up-to-date information.
Stay in style
If cute isn’t your bag and your home has a distinct style, adapt it to baby’s room. Sophisticated baby, boho baby, MCM baby, vintage baby, Scandi baby, beach-house baby, French provincial baby or even industrial chic baby? Why not. See some less cute, more chic nurseries.
TELL US
Which of these nurseries would your little one love? Are you preparing a space for a new addition to the family? Share your ideas in the Comments section
MORE
Browse thousands of cute nursery schemes
If cute isn’t your bag and your home has a distinct style, adapt it to baby’s room. Sophisticated baby, boho baby, MCM baby, vintage baby, Scandi baby, beach-house baby, French provincial baby or even industrial chic baby? Why not. See some less cute, more chic nurseries.
TELL US
Which of these nurseries would your little one love? Are you preparing a space for a new addition to the family? Share your ideas in the Comments section
MORE
Browse thousands of cute nursery schemes
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Thanks for sharing our room :)
Po you like it?
Regards, Michael