Ideas for Baby Nurseries

Choose a Theme

• Choosing a unified theme for your nursery allows you to select bedding, colors, toys and décor that match. For boys, consider sports, spaceships, fire trucks, farm animals or nautical themes. Baby girls might grow to enjoy butterflies, stars, animals or flowers. There are also gender-neutral themes to consider. Try safari or jungle animals, polka dots or nursery rhymes. Use your imagination and browse your local baby stores to see what type of theme matches your personality, style and vision for your nursery.

Colors

• The color scheme you choose can add to (or detract from) the atmosphere in your nursery. Choose colors that complement or accent each other well. Try blue and orange, for example, or pink and green. Consider monochromatic schemes, which include colors that are similar to one other (think different shades of purple). Paint the walls in a lighter shade to keep the room light and open. Dark colors can close off your space. Consider including brighter colors in your décor as well, that will catch your baby's eyes and stimulate her mind.

Consider Your Needs

• Arrange furniture in the nursery so it's convenient For example, you don't want to have to cross the room to reach the diapers while changing your baby. Arrange storage, the changing table, the dresser and even the closet so you can reach what you need easily and quickly. You might spend a lot of time in the nursery feeding your baby as well, so consider purchasing a rocking chair or glider to place in the room.

Think Safety

• It won't be long before your baby is mobile, scooting and crawling his way around his nursery. When you decorate, take your his safety into consideration. Don't put heavy artwork on the wall that may injure him if it falls. Tuck electrical cords (if you have any) safely behind furniture and out of his reach. Block access to all other outlets with outlet plugs. Curtains should be short so he can't reach them and pull them down. Don't use blinds with cords or strings that he may strangle himself in. Anchor bookshelves and other furniture to the wall so that they won't topple over. Your baby's nursery should be a safe place for him to explore his new world.