Parents expecting a baby have nine months to anticipate and enjoy the event and nine months to take care of hundreds of details. One of those details is preparing the nursery. The first step is determining where the nursery will be located and how much space is available. Once those details are settled, it is time to choose a nursery decor.
The decor that is chosen will influence a number of decisions including the paint colors and the type of furniture. A popular decorating option is to choose a theme and then match the room accessories and artwork to the theme. There are many small decisions that must be made to make the room aesthetically appealing, comfortable for the baby, and practical for the parents as caregivers. Each item selected, from the artwork to the storage bins, will have a specific purpose.
Animals to Gardens
An infant nursery is not an ordinary room. An infant needs visual stimulation to promote development. There are an unlimited number of themes to select from, including transportation, animals, school, garden, religious and fantasy. If a transportation theme is selected, artwork could include stretched canvas pieces that are pictures of an airplane, train engine or auto. If a school theme is chosen, the pictures could show an alphabet or school bus.
These types of pictures will be suitable for many years. They also add various colors and shapes that will promote a growing infant’s visual and mental development. The nursery accents can continue the theme. For example, an animal themed growth chart is ideal in an animal themed nursery decor. Of course, most nurseries also have an accessory that has the child’s name on it, like a wall tile, a personalized kid’s room sign or a wood shelf with the name spelled out in wood letters. The name accessories can also match the theme through the use of painted graphics.
Other nursery decor items include colored baby blankets and bookends. Adorable baby book shelves that match the theme make an attractive and colorful addition. Some of the cutest include a train engine or airplane with the front end one bookend and the back end on the other one. There are bookends with flowers, animals, dinosaurs and sports paraphernalia.
Getting Practical
For mom and dad, the most practical accessories that match the nursery decor are the hampers, storage bins and waste baskets. They are available with themes also. Other considerations in this category include size, shape and materials. If decorating a small space, the hamper may need to be tall rather than wide and smaller rather than larger. Providing for storage space is important in a nursery because infants and toddlers inevitably accumulate a large supply of toys.
As you decorate the nursery, keep the theme in mind and it makes it easier to narrow choices and select individual items from baby night lights to picture frames. The nursery decor provides much more than just decoration. It creates a stimulating and comfortable environment for a growing, healthy baby, while making it as easy as possible to care for the infant.