Nursery Ideas: The 5 Essentials You Need to Get Started

If you’re in the middle of gathering some nursery ideas to welcome your new baby, it helps to know where to start. Read this blog post to learn the five essentials you need when planning the perfect nursery.

If you’re dreaming up nursery ideas, you might be wondering where to start. Furniture? Paint? Decor? The simple answer: Start with a plan. Think about what the nursery of your dreams looks like. What colors and themes come to mind? Do you want something elaborate and ornate, or do you prefer a simple, streamlined nursery? Once you have an image of what your ideal nursery looks like, you’re ready to move on to the five essentials of planning a nursery.

1. A Paint Color

The color you choose for your walls sets the tone for the entire nursery. Do you want a room that’s soothing and relaxing, or one that’s bright and cheery? You and your baby will be spending a lot of time in the nursery, so grab a few paint swatches and think about the atmosphere you want to create. It’s also helpful to know how color affects your baby. Read up on color theory and how to choose the right paint color for your nursery.

2. A Crib

Your baby will need a safe place to drift off to dreamland, so do some research on the type of crib you want for your nursery. There are cribs to fit every style and budget — whether you’re looking for something modern or classic. Take a peek here to see some of the best cribs of 2014.

3. A Changing Station

Along with a new baby comes diapers — lots of them. As you’re going through your nursery ideas, be sure to create a designated place for changing diapers. Many parents opt for a changing table, but if you’re limited on space, you could place a changing pad on top of a dresser. Just be sure you select a dresser that’s large enough to accommodate the changing pad and all the diaper-changing accoutrements: diapers, wipes, balms, lotions, and hand sanitizer.

4. A Comfy Place to Sit

Every nursery should have a glider or rocker. This is where you’ll spend a lot of time (often in the wee hours of the night) rocking or feeding your baby. It’s helpful to choose a chair with a foot rest and plenty of back support. Also, consider placing a small table alongside the chair so you have a place to keep your phone and a bottle of water or snacks.

5. Dark Window Shades

When thinking about nursery ideas, many parents don’t consider blackout curtains or dark window shades. But remember: Your baby is used to life in the womb where it’s nice and dark. When naptime rolls around, a dark room makes it much easier to catch some zzz’s.

When planning a nursery in your Metroplex home, it helps to keep it simple. Start with these five essentials and then customize your nursery to suit your taste and needs. For more ideas, check out these 10 tips to creating the perfect nursery on a budget.

Image Source: Flickr/Myles Grant

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Audrey Sellers

Audrey Sellers is an award-winning, Dallas-based writer and editor with a background in marketing and promotions. She’s a former magazine editor turned blogger who’s a pro at crafting all kinds of engaging content: blog posts, case studies, feature stories, social media content, and more. When her fingers aren’t flying on her laptop, she’s busy not relaxing with her husband and two young kids.