Decorating your child's first nursery is such a special feeling. Before you get started, here's everything you need to know.

Decorating your first child’s nursery is a spectacular occasion and it is exciting to get the things you want and turn a room into a beautiful nursery.

Though your child won’t use the room for some months, it is good to have the foundations in and it is ideal for storing baby clothes, nappies and other things all babies need. Most importantly, this is a room your baby will enjoy for a few years, so getting it sorted is a good idea. 

Think of the bedroom size

Before you start, you need to understand the space you're working with and how to make the most of it. This may mean considering storage and not forgetting space for your youngster to play once they are older. 

Convenience

You may want your child’s nursery to be stylish, but you also need it to be fit for its purpose and convenient for your needs and a baby’s. Everything you need should be easy to access and there should be plenty of storage solutions as babies need a lot of stuff! 

Cleanliness

A child’s nursery needs to be easily cleaned. Naturally, there will be times when the room gets dirty and the last thing you need is a bedroom that is hard to clean. Think about using washable paint, easy to clean nappy changers and wipe clean mattresses for bedding, as well as having a floor that is easy enough to clean too. 

Theme and design

It is nice to have a core theme when decorating your baby’s nursery, though it is good to mix and match too. If you don’t know the sex of your baby, you may want to go neutral which brings a lovely and clean finish. Equally, the old-fashioned baby blue or baby pink isn’t as big as it once was. Parents are becoming more creative with mellow yellows, reds, teals and oranges gaining popularity. Picking nursey textiles, materials and bedding is so much fun, but make sure they are good quality for your baby’s soft skin. 

Think of a centrepiece

Most nurseries have a central piece to draw people in and to make Insta-perfect photos! A gorgeous cot or crib may do the job as well as a gigantic painting on the wall.

Windows that are dressed well with a seating area and luxurious curtains and blinds also look fabulous - as well as being functional. Another cool idea is to get a mural painted on the ceiling in the nursery so your baby can look at it while they are lying in their cot.

Plan for your growing baby

Your baby may be small for a few months but once they are a toddler, will the room be fit for its purpose? Save money by planning and investing in storage for the years ahead, wardrobes for a young child and drawers with plenty of space. While nursery furniture is cute, it may not last long so invest in good quality pieces that will save you time and money in the long run.

Safety

This can’t be underestimated. From the get-go, your child needs to be safe in their bedroom nursery. This means blinds that are safe for a child’s bedroom, curtains that are secure and good quality furniture that isn’t going to fall over. 

Install dimmer lighting and put in safety devices now to keep your child safe including socket covers, kiddie locks and a stairgate on their bedroom door to ensure they can’t escape. Rugs on floors should be secure to the floor and windows should have locks on them too. 

Thinking ahead is key!