The time has come – let the nursery designing commence! If you’re being a #DIYMum and taking on the job yourself, you’ll want to bear a few things in mind before your tiny tenant moves in. Here are the rules to swear by for optimum safety…
1. Don’t hang anything over baby’s cot
We know what you’re thinking…framed art, name signs and hanging wall decor look adorable. But here’s the thing – hanging anything over your little one’s cot is a potential safety risk. Not only could some items be within reach of your baby (especially once they get to toddler stage), but the threat of items falling is extremely dangerous.
Don’t fret mums, whilst you may not have any sweet décor above their cot, you can certainly make up for it around the rest of the room, especially with super-cute pictures like the Animals ABC – Framed Art and the Mr Moon Nursery Art in Canvas.
Our top tip? Choose a standout wallpaper to cover the wall your baby’s cot sits in front of, such as the traditional Beatrix Potter Wallpaper or the Woods and Stars Blue Wallpaper for a more enchanting feel.
2. Decorate with safe paint
This may sound obvious, but it’s a rule all mums should stick to. When decorating your baby’s nursery, make sure to choose a water-based, non-toxic paint that doesn’t emit any dangerous fumes. Whilst painting, it’s recommended for the room to be ventilated and the windows to be kept open for 2-3 days after painting. Your best bet is to get the nursery painted in your second trimester (or beforehand), so you’re not within weeks of baby arriving.
Need some colour inspo? We’re loving the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground - a warm, earthy, light brown that’s perfect for a unisex nursery.
3. Think about the nursery temperature
Chances are your nursery mood board won’t include the less glamorous essentials, like a radiator for example. However, room temperature should be a top priority when it comes to kitting out baby’s nursery. Remember to decide where the radiator will be placed in the room and ensure it’s not near the cot (which shouldn’t be close to any heat sources). For the warmer months, having a large window is desirable for sufficient airflow.
It’s important to note that your baby’s nursery room temperature should be between 16-20°C.
4. Choose nursery furniture first
Usually, you would think about decorating a room before choosing the furniture. But for your nursery project, pick the essential furniture items first. Why? These pieces will become part of your new daily routine, so you want to think about ease, practicality, storage, safety and size before any mention of paint, wallpaper and décor. Of course, the choice is yours, but if you think about colour scheme and visuals first, you may subconsciously be narrowing down your furniture options.
Tick a cot bed, luxury nursing chair, changing unit and wardrobe off your list with these key pieces from The Baby Cot Shop – the classic Wingback Rocking Chair, luxurious Regency Cot Bed, gold embellished Dahlia Changing Chest and personalised Motif Hand-Painted Wardrobe for boys and girls.
Once that’s done, you could choose your nursery décor based on your mum style. Find out more here.
The Baby Cot Shop Interior Design Service
Need a personal stylist to design your nursery from start to finish? Whatever your vision, The Baby Cot Shop’s Interior Design Service is here to create and build the nursery of your dreams, whether it’s a traditional, ultra-modern, themed or entirely unique nursery, kid’s bedroom or playroom. Start your journey here.