How to Design a Nursery You’ll Love: 9 Expert Tips

Designing your baby’s nursery is an exciting step as you get ready for your little one’s arrival. From choosing calming colours to picking out the perfect cot, it’s a special project that sets the stage for years of memories. Not sure where to begin?

Here are 9 expert-backed tips, with practical advice for creating a nursery that’s beautiful, safe, and functional.

1. Establish a Calming Foundation

Start with gentle neutrals and soft pastels – warm grey, taupe, off-white, ivory, and muted blues or greens – because they promote relaxation and easier sleep for you and baby. These shades also make future style updates simple. 

Layer in brighter, more dynamic accent colours and patterns with easily changeable elements like bedding, soft rugs, cushions, and wall décor. This approach allows you to evolve the room as your child grows or as trends change without having to repaint. Interior stylist Anna Lee says, “A calm, light-filled space makes all the difference in a nursery, creating a peaceful retreat for both parent and baby.”

2. Create a Defined Focal Point

Bring instant character to the room by designing a statement wall that naturally draws the eye. The wall behind the cot is a perfect spot for this. Consider using a playful but subtle wallpaper, an accent colour, or unique artwork.

Designer Chloe Wang suggests, “Let your feature wall set the mood and guide your choices for the rest of the décor and furniture throughout the room.” Once you establish this point, you can select complementary textures and colours for your mobile, curtains, and storage to create a cohesive design.

3. Prioritise Personal Comfort and Practicality

Remember, the nursery is your zone too! Invest in a supportive, comfortable nursing chair (with good lumbar support and a smooth rocking or gliding motion) and pair it with a side table for must-haves – like water, snacks and burp cloths.

Incorporate personal touches like art, prints, or family photos that genuinely bring you joy and calm.

4. Safety First, Always

Proper safety means more than anchoring furniture. Place the cot away from windows, cords, sunlight, and heating. Pick blackout curtains (cordless is safest) to help your little one sleep longer. For playtime, a quilted play mat offers a plush, safe spot for tummy time or reading. 

Crucial safety checks include: securing all tall furniture (like dressers and bookshelves) to the wall, covering electrical outlets, and keeping practical items like wipes, creams, and any small objects out of reach from little hands. Finally, ensure you have clear sightlines to the cot from the doorway so you can quickly check on your baby.

5. Smart Storage Solutions

A calm nursery is an organised one. Use a combination of solutions:

• Woven baskets or fabric bins on shelves for toys and blankets.
• Floating shelves placed high for decorative items or books you want to keep out of reach.
• Under-cot drawers or rolling bins for bulky items like extra nappies or seasonal clothes.
• A nappy caddy is a versatile organiser – perfect for keeping nappies, wipes, and creams together and easy to move wherever you need it in the nursery.

A good changing table or dresser should have a dedicated top drawer for the most-used items (creams, wipes, and a stack of nappies) for quick access.

6. Design for Growth and Flexibility

Design choices should be adaptable. Choose a cot that converts to a toddler bed for significant longevity. When selecting a dresser or change table, choose a quality piece that can easily function as a standard dresser long after the baby phase is over.

Select décor that transitions with your child’s interests – for example, a framed print of a classic storybook scene rather than a highly specific cartoon character. When planning the layout, ensure you can adjust the room flexibly as your baby grows and becomes more mobile, perhaps requiring more floor space for play.

7. Install Layered Lighting for Every Mood

The right lighting is essential for sleep regulation and those inevitable midnight wake-ups. A dimmer switch on the main overhead light allows you to reduce brightness for late-night feeds without jarring your baby (or yourself).

Complement this with a soft, low-level nightlight or a small table lamp with a warm-toned bulb near the nursing chair. 

8. Celebrate Memories with a Gallery Wall

Turn blank walls into a beautiful and deeply personal display of your family’s journey with a gallery wall. Combine meaningful family photos, a print of your baby’s ultrasound image, special hand-drawn artwork, a custom wooden name plaque, or a personalised newborn plaque featuring your baby's birth details. Arranging these keepsakes in a thoughtfully curated gallery layout not only makes the nursery uniquely yours but also beautifully tells your family’s story and creates a warm, loving atmosphere.

9. Consider a Montessori-Inspired Nursery

Montessori-style nurseries encourages independence and natural exploration with simple layouts, natural materials, and low shelves for toys and books.

• A floor bed (or a very low cot) accessible once the baby is safe to use it, fostering self-sufficiency.
• Low, open shelving or a wooden toy box that makes toys and books accessible for hands-on learning and self-discovery.
• Wooden alphabet blocks are perfect for play, learning, and even stylish décor in a Montessori-inspired setting.
• An accessible wardrobe or hooks so your child can eventually practice selecting their clothes and dressing themselves.

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