7 TIPS TO CREATE A TIMELESS, COMFORTABLE NURSERY

Boho nurseries? Been there. Woodland-theme? Done that. And that barely scratches the surfaces on home decor trends. Trends are an of-the-moment fad. They are popular for a brief time and then as Heidi Klum famously puts it, “one day you’re in, the next day you’re out”. And we don’t want that to be the fate of your home decor - because it’s not a low-key expense! Calling on the services of an interior designer means you can be politely steered in the right direction and potentially avoid having to redecorate again sooner than you'd planned.

I’m sure many of you are guilty of hunkering down for an afternoon of Fixer Upper or my old fave, Million Dollar Decorators. And you’re not the only ones devoting hours of your life to home decor shows. While it’s always helpful to draw upon inspiration from others for guidance and allow the influence of contemporary design, it’s also important to recognize trending themes and apply them with caution. Attempting to replicate a trend to a tee will leave your space void of personality. Acknowledge your personal style and try not to stray from that. Because at the end of the day, your home decor choices are what you will have to live with for years to come - even after the current trends fade and are long gone.

So, what 7 tips can you take away from this post to help you create a timeless and comfortable space for your family? I’ve listed them all below.

1) Start with a color palette you won’t get tired of in 8 months

For example, don’t plan your room based on the Pantone color of the year. Because you might not love “Very Peri” on your walls for “very” long. A lot of people are eager to find out what Pantone has declared the “it” color for the year. Ultimately, they are predicting a trend. And guess what, that trend changes every year! One of the biggest tips I can offer is to introduce statement colors through textiles, art and decor. Those details take minimal effort to redecorate than repainting or stripping wallpaper would. When introduced in tonal layers and textures, neutral colors add depth and never disappoint, standing the test of time when it comes to walls and main furnishings. This will allow you to bring in doses of color throughout the rest of the room via textiles, art, toys, upholstery, drapery and even temporary wallpaper. If you aren’t a neutral person and just have to go all-in on color, then go for it! You know your style and what you love. Just be sure it’s something you’ll enjoy not only today and tomorrow but the next few years as well.

Earth and subtle tones will never go out of style. Designed by Maison Ellie Interiors.

2) Invest in furnishings and decor for YOU! Keeping it timeless and built to last

It’s a common thought that kids spaces need to be juvenile. With that, come the numerous kid themed ideas and trends. But for the first couple years, your child is not the one really enjoying the environment - you are! The nursery is a space for you to be comfortable in while soaking up every moment of this new addition to your family. This means selecting furnishings and decor in a style and comfort level for you. Shop for a beautiful dresser that can also be used as a temporary changing station - with beautiful woodwork details, finishes and hardware options that you would love for your own bedroom. Afterall, this is your space too. Wall treatments such as paneling or textured wallpaper will age well beyond your child’s toddler years. Avoid the less sophisticated furnishings sold at children’s furniture stores and of-the-moment decor trends like cactus wallpaper or character themes which have a short lifespan. Choose pieces that will easily adapt for baby > toddler > kinder > beyond. And as your child gets older, you can introduce decorative items that he/she loves and has helped select.

Designs by: Greg Natale // Brighton Butler // Anna Versaci

3) Add themed or trendy decor in ways you won’t mind swapping out

While I love to design sophisticated spaces, I know it’s always a must to incorporate child-like influences into your space. After all, these are the details that help create that adorable baby environment and what your child will be drawn to. Adding toys can really help to add a burst of life into your space, making it more child-friendly and adding a positive ambiance to your rooms. But do think about long-term for any costly items and find pieces that are meaningful. Animal art, a classic nursery rhyme theme and butterfly decor can all work when incorporated in ways that you won’t mind swapping out when it’s time for more mature details. For example, framed art, bedding and temporary wallpaper are all ways to bring in those cheeky baby vibes while still allowing an inexpensive change in style when you’re ready to recreate their surroundings. Use trendy decor with restraint. Ideas and patterns may go viral and look great on Pinterest, but pulling the look off for day-to-day lifestyle can be tricky. They can easily get overdone and turn into a Pinterest flop that you’ll tire of in no time. If there is a trend you’re really wanting to follow, I think it’s worth investing in more traditional versions of those ideas and patterns that can be used on pillows, drapery or customizable bedding that will age with your child from 0-10, as beautifully shown in the example below.

4) LOOK OUTSIDE THE TYPICAL NURSING CHAIR OPTIONS - CHOOSE AN AGELESS STYLE

Plenty of seating is a game changer and the words timeless and comfortable are literally in this post title - which means they’re important! And while the aesthetics of your room are what typically drive many purchases, comfort is gold when it comes to home furnishings. This is why I say don’t skimp out on what you buy for the nursery. Like a comfortable chair used for nursing that you’ll want to keep forever. Just because we’re talking about baby, doesn’t mean you need to shop for an old school rolled arm chair in a typical fabric…you know the old school loungers I’m talking about. There are so many modern swivel chairs in beautiful frame styles intended for primary bedrooms and living rooms that I encourage you to consider for the nursery. It’s your piece, so customize it for your home instead of considering it a short-term throw away item. And always test your seating before you buy. Seeing it on your computer screen and actually sitting in it are two different things. Nothing is a one-size-fits-all when it comes to seating. Arm height, seat height, cushion fill, shape and overall dimensions of a piece feel different to everyone. Whether it’s your nursing chair, an ottoman, daybed, sofa or club chair, (try to incorporate as much seating as your space plan will allow) it’s important for you to take ‘em for a spin and be sure that particular style adapts to your body well and brings you comfort. Enjoying and feeling comfortable in this space is not an option - it’s a must, because you will be spending loads of time here.

While these last three tips don’t focus on trends, they are incredibly important to consider for your timeless, comfortable nursery.

5) A well-lit rooM: plan ahead for the best lighting

This is a tip many people don’t think about ahead of time and can be a headache to add once you’ve realized your completed room isn’t properly lit for any time of day. It’s important to help baby adjust by supporting their natural circadian rhythm as much as possible. This means having lights which will mimic natural sources of light during the day and then gentler lights as the day progresses. When you choose your lighting, think long-term. Your nursery will go from a quiet, restful sanctuary to a busy toddler playroom faster than you think. Your nursery’s lighting needs will also change, so planning ahead can save you time and money in the future. While a chandelier is great and can be a statement piece, you need to consider the quality and amount of light it will fill your room with. For most standard size bedrooms, I always recommend 2-4 ceiling recessed lights for general ambient lighting. Adding a chandelier will add to this ambient light as a secondary source (on a separate switch) as well as create a beautiful decor moment. Task lighting is another layer and would include table lamps maybe for your dresser or nightstand, a floor lamp next to any seating for late night feedings or while reading a book. And the last layer is accent lighting such as wall sconces which are mostly decorative in purpose. Adding dimmer switches will allow you the flexibility to control the light level and create moods. There is so much more to know, so check out my dedicated post to lighting here, 5 Lighting Tips to Transform your Child’s Space.

6) Baby Proofing for safety and peace of mind

Soft curves and upholstered items at baby’s height are a good idea. Once your baby starts to crawl you will be scrambling to baby-proof all the things you never thought he/she would get into and removing furnishings with sharp corners. So plan ahead and consciously design the room for the safest environment. This will bring you so much peace of mind and you will thank yourself because time flies and before you know it baby is speed crawling toward the bookcase. So first things first, anchor ALL free-standing furniture to the walls. Even if you think it’s a solid piece and very sturdy, anything can topple over…anything! And this is a risk no one wants to take. Even if that means drilling into your beautiful wallpaper - but if you have designed for the long-term like I’ve suggested above, then you should have no worries. So anchor away! Be sure that anything heavy or breakable isn’t in baby’s reach. Soft bins, plush toys and books are great at a low level to foster fine motor skills when the time comes. Wind up all cords such as lamp cords, baby monitors, sound machines, window coverings etc. Anything with a cord needs to be tightly wound for safety. Add outlet cover boxes to all outlets. And baby gates in areas with hazards such as fireplaces or stairs - this is by no means an exhaustive checklist. We work with an amazing baby proofing company that we refer to all of our clients. You can read more on baby-proofing in my post here, Childproofing with Boo Boo Busters.

7) LAST, AND YET THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP! INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS MATTER. SHOP FOR LOW-TOX AND ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

Ultimately, homes are for living in, and while you want a home that is beautiful it’s most important to have one that is healthy. Ingredients and materials matter. A truly timeless and comfortable design is one that will wrap you in comfort knowing your space is healthy and beautiful from the inside and out. I can’t stress enough how researching product ingredients and materials will change how you view home decor and how you shop. It won’t be an easy road, but knowing the basics will help guide you on the right path. From Volatile Organic Compounds - VOC’s, to phthalates, flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals - PFAS and synthetic fragrances, all of these toxic chemicals can be hiding in your child’s nursery. You can read more about these in my free download, Download my Guide to a Healthy Nursery! Poisonous chemicals are there, hiding in our everyday products, and those toxins can have harmful effects on our bodies. Look for naturally sourced products free of toxic finishes and adhesives. Check out my previous posts here 6 Hidden Sources of Toxins in your Nursery and here, 5 Brands Leading the way in Non-Toxic Home Decor for more low-tox info.

PLANNING AHEAD WILL ENSURE A WELL DESIGNED SPACE

Designing any room in your home to should not be stressful. Remember to enjoy the process and reach out with questions if you are struggling. Interior design is not about what’s trending. It’s about creating a comfortable, livable space that sparks joy from those living in it. Following the 7 design tips we’ve shared above will put you on the right path to creating a thoughtfully designed space your entire family will enjoy for years to come.

I hope these tips help to get you started off on the right foot. Designing your child’s room is a special project that many parents would like to tackle on their own. If that’s you, then I wish you luck and please check back with us to share the results! Or, if you would like our team to help take your space to the next level and handle all the planning, send us a note and introduce yourself. We can’t wait to hear about your project!