Do you desire to nest before your precious baby arrives? Nesting can look different for every couple or parent. For some, it means preparing the perfect room for the newest addition to the family. Continue reading seven ways to create the best nursery layout.
Unless you have a specific vision, it’s difficult to determine the best nursey layout. A mood board can help you specify your many ideas and/or visions for the nursey. If you have a well-defined collection of your ideas, it can also help you communicate with your partner about your ideas. This communication may help you both to stay on the same page as you work to create the nursery layout together. You can choose between a physical mood board or a digital mood board. It may be easiest to start digital since it is easier to make changes this way. Once you’re happy with your digital board, you can print it off and have a hard copy to look at or give to others. Keep in mind, this could help give family and friends ideas about baby shower gifts that align with your overall concept. You may want to start with basics like colors, textures, materials, shapes, and a theme on your board. After that, add specific items that you think would complete the room.
After you have created a 2D version of your dream nursery, it’s time to partner it with reality. No nursey layout will be a true place to relax if it cost more money than you’d really like to spend. Sit down and go through your finances or budget to determine how much you would like to spend. Maybe you want to spread out your purchases by month. Perhaps you would prefer to purchase everything all at once. Some of the best nursey layouts are ones that have been planned for ahead of time, finances included.
No mood board and no realistic budget will change the fact that your room may have limitations. Utilize your space to fit your and your baby’s needs. If the space is small, try using creative storage solutions like cube furniture and nursery storage bins. A good rule of thumb is to keep decorative items off the floor. Even storage on the floor can create a space that looks cluttered. Shop around for the right shelves or closet organization for the room. What if the room doesn’t have a closet? Dressers can be a great option. Not only will they provide storage for clothes or toys, but they can give space for a changing table on top. If you are up for a project, you can thrift and search for the perfect dresser. If it’s not quite the style you prefer or has some damage, you can sand, prep, and paint the dresser to your liking. Of course, recruit help so that you and your baby do not get hurt from paint fumes.
You have a creative vision, a budget, and now you have considered your space. The next step is to prioritize your needs vs. wants. A well-designed nursery layout has a balance of both. Decide what you are and are not willing to budge on. For example, a crib, changing table, and rocker are examples of items you will likely need. Art for the walls, a rug, and light fixtures are examples of things that may be wants. Prioritize what you would like most on your list of negotiables. If making the space look larger is a priority to you, shop around for a large mirror for one of the walls. Mirrors make smaller spaces look larger. Likewise, hang artwork high or find artwork with white space to add more space to the room as well.
The best nursery layouts are the ones that reflect what means most to you. Do you have any family heirlooms that you would like to put on display? Or you can simply create your own artwork that aligns with the nursery’s theme. One idea is to take a white onesie and iron a quote or image of your liking onto the fabric. You can frame this onesie and place it within the room. Combine it with wall-art prints to create a unique gallery wall in the nursery. Maybe you have someone in the family who enjoys knitting. Reach out and ask them to create a special, one-of-a-kind blanket for your baby. Pick out colors with them that will match your theme. Not only will this be aesthetically pleasing draped over the crib, but it will also hold special meaning.
You may have already chosen colors while making your mood board. If you didn’t choose any, do so now, and remember that neutral colors can keep a room bright and cheery. Lighter colors also tend to make a room feel larger. Looking to add a little color? An accent wall can make a space feel larger as well. Choose neutral colors for three walls and pick a pop of color for the fourth wall. Peel-and-stick wallpaper or decals also gives you the opportunity to have a pattern on your walls. If you place a pattern on every wall, the room will feel smaller. If you place it on an accent wall, it will still be visually appealing and make the room feel larger. The beauty of peel-and-stick wallpaper is that it can easily be removed whenever you’re craving a change in design and decor.
It can be exciting when you put your nursery decor into the room. Try to keep the mindset that where you place something now doesn’t have to be its forever home. Test out pieces in different locations to decide what truly fits best in the nursery. Maybe you decide to move the rocker onto the accent wall for aesthetic appeal. Whatever the decision, keep an open mind and keep creative flexibility. Most importantly, remember to keep open space available so that you and your baby can move around. A cluttered space can quickly become a chaotic space.
Keep these seven ways to create the best nursery layout in mind when you create your baby’s haven. An organized, creative room with personal touches will help create a room you’ll be happy you spent the time to make. Enjoy your beautiful nursey, but most of all, enjoy your little one.
