|
Decorating the nursery, whether for your first baby, second, third or fourth is always an exhilarating and fun endeavour. We have laid out some decorating ideas that will make creating and decorating your baby's nursery as easy as one, two, three.
With the help of Treehouse you get a design house look without having to hire a designer.
To begin with, the gender of a baby will may influence the colour scheme used in the room and this will not be something that will be able to be determined right away so either neutral colours should be used or the painting of the walls and purchasing of the accessories should be prolonged. Keep in mind not to wait too long if it is your intention to paint the room. You will want to be sure to allow any noxious fumes time to disperse before bringing baby home and actually using the nursery. The safety of the child should be one of the main elements involved in the planning of interior design for nurseries. Keep this aspect in mind as you make every choice involved with your design.
Don't feel that you have to stick with traditional colours such as blue for a boy, pink for a girl or yellow to be gender neutral. Explore the colour possibilities but do stay with soothing and soft colours. Avoid large doses of bright, strong colours they can be overstimulating for a young child.
It is recommended that you have some primary colours (red, yellow &blue) in the room. These colours have been shown to help in the cognitive development of babies. You can easily introduce those colours in toys. The key here is to use these colours in strategic areas not all over the room or nursery.
Always paint children's bedrooms with a semi-gloss, so the walls are easy to wipe without being too shiny.
Your choice of linen will normally dictate the theme of your room. If you know the sex of your baby you can choose gender specific themes such as Fairies or Trucks. If you do not know the gender of your baby, you may wish to opt for a unisex theme such as animals or ocean themes.
Alternatively, you may purchase a set of plain sheets and then decorate the nursery after the birth of your baby. (Please remember if you do wish to hold off on purchases, one set of sheets is crucial… you will need something for when you first bring baby home).
The nursery needs to be a calm and comfortable space for both baby and parents. In particular, adequate storage is essential for all the products and equipment that babies seem to need and although so tiny, babies come with so much stuff! Having all of these bits and pieces in easy to reach places or tucked quietly out of the way can make life seem less hectic. A restful chair or extra bed for parents can also be a welcome addition especially in the wee small hours!
Click
here
to view our article on feng shui for babies rooms. The purpose of feng shui in a child’s bedroom is the same as every parent’s objective in decorating their children’s rooms: to create a healthy, happy environment that fosters education, good health, happy relationships with parents and siblings, and respect for parents. Children and parents can enjoy success and healthy relationships if the environment supports them.
Position the cot away from draughts but with an interesting outlook – babies spend a lot of time in their cots!
The most important piece of furniture is the cot. Often babies don’t move into their own rooms until they are three or four months old, and this usually means moving into their first cot. Keep the style of the cot simple and be sure that it meets recommended safety standards and that the mattress fits correctly.
The nappy changing area is also important. A specially designed changing table or a chest of drawers topped with a plastic covered mat is essential. Nappies, wipes and creams need to be stored within reach.
Storage is one of the most important elements in a babies room. Treehouse offer a variety of solutions:
Sleigh Change Table – three individual drawers and a cupboard, so you always have nappies and wipes near by
Chest of Drawers – large set of drawers to store children’s clothing
Wardrobe – provides a serious amount of storage space, with 3 individual drawers, hanging space and internal adjustable shelves
Chest of Drawers – large set of drawers to store children’s clothing
End of Bed Box – great for storing blankets, books or toys
Fabric Toy Barrels – useful to store toys
Toy Boxes – useful for toys or blankets with a slow release hinge for your child’s safety
Dollhouse Bookshelf – great for storing books, CD’s and even toys or figurines
Wall Shelf – another great storage space for books, CD’s or artwork. Hang jackets, raincoats, library bags and backpacks from the hooks.
WALLPAPER BORDERS - can be used to brighten up a room or enhance the chosen theme. You may opt to place the wallpaper at the ceiling line or lower if you have a high ceiling or at chair rail height with a two paint colours (one above & one below the border).
BED LINEN - Your choice of bed linen will normally dictate the theme of the room. Cot quilt or duvet covers, fitted sheets, flat sheets and an optional cot bumper complete the basics. The addition of cushions, throws, blankets and novelties can make the cot more interesting and inviting. Ensure these additional items are removed from the cot when you put baby to sleep.
Choose good quality bed linen that is soft and comfortable and easy to launder. Co-ordinating fabrics and designs mean you can mix and match without the room looking hectic. The choice is endless – have some fun with it!
CREATE HEIGHT - No matter how colourful a child’s bedroom is; it can appear very flat if the eye is not raised above the low furniture line. Hanging mobiles or mosquito nets from the ceiling will help draw the eye upward. Another trick is to paint the walls in two bright colours, splitting the two colours above eye level makes the room appear taller.
DECORATING THE WALLS - There are Wooden “Canvases” which can enhance the theme of the room as well as a variety of Wooden Motifs or Alphabet letters to spell out names or messages. You could hang some shelving and create more space!
Which ever you decide, it is a case of “you CAN have too much of a good thing”. If you get too many things on the walls, it can easily look cluttered and unorganised.
THE FLOOR - Rugs are a great bedroom accessory for kids; they can really liven up an otherwise dull floor, and actually be the item in the bedroom that really sets the theme.
They can also take a supporting role and not be so obvious, yet cover up some icky areas you might have in the carpet.
OTHER ACCESSORIES - The addition of decorative accessories will make the room more interesting and stimulating for your baby, especially as he or she begins to grow and become more inquisitive. Other accessories such as curtains and lampshades can also build on the theme and give the room a co-ordinated look. Novelty doorknobs, bookends and other themed accessories add colour and interest and offer the final touches on your child’s room.
|
