Do's and don'ts for a new nursery

Starting a family is a key milestone in life, and it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of planning for a new arrival. Whether you’re expecting your first child or expanding your family, adopting or fostering, there’s a lot to organise – not least the nursery where your new arrival/s will sleep.

Nurseries provide an opportunity to express your personality, but it’s often tempting to incorporate things which don't fit or aren't necessary. Costs can spiral, while certain colour schemes may be restrictive or date quickly. To help simplify the process, we’ve assembled a list of do’s and don’ts regarding nursery design, furnishings and layout. Thank us later (probably around 3am, when you’re blearily hunting for a small yet essential piece of equipment in a drawer.)

Do – invest in blackout blinds. At this time of year, blocking out the sun is vital for getting children to sleep before the watershed, and ensuring they aren’t wide awake at sunrise.

Don’t – buy cheap furniture. It won’t look as good, last as well or function as effectively. Soft-close solid wooden furniture lasts a lifetime and can be repurposed or resold later.

Do – add adjustable lighting. Whether it’s a combined dimmable ceiling light and fan or a lamp with multiple brightness levels, they’ll be more practical than an on/off pendant bulb.

Don’t – procrastinate. Even adopters will have plenty of time to prepare in advance for a new arrival. There’s no reason to leave anything (furnishing, decorating, etc.) until the last minute.

Do – consider sound deadening. From insulated walls to underfloor acoustic mats, blocking sound from reaching a nursery helps to ensure little ones aren’t woken or disturbed.

Don’t – buy a baby monitor. They often lead to obsessive monitoring by parents, while baby monitors are riddled with security weaknesses and can easily be hacked by criminals.

Do – add high-level storage. Low-level units look nice but don’t exploit limited floor space, whereas six-foot/seven-foot wardrobes and shelves offer more storage in the same footprint.

Don’t – over furnish. Beyond the aforementioned storage, all you really need is a cot or bed, a chair and possibly a changing station. Anything else will clutter the room and reduce space.

Do – buy multifunctional furniture. To save space, buy cots which transform into beds, drawer units which double as changing tables and wardrobes with integrated drawer storage.

Don’t – forget to baby-proof the room. Plug socket covers, door gates, corner protectors and cupboard latches are some of the key features to incorporate in advance.

Do – add sensory elements. Babies benefit developmentally from attractive mobiles or colour-changing mood lights, noisy toys and different fabrics. However, moderation is key…

Don’t – add too many distractions. Night lights, ceiling stars, mobiles, dreamcatchers and ornaments all combined would look crowded and chaotic. Also avoid floor-level trip hazards.

Do – keep colour palettes neutral. Yellow is a bit of a cliché, but it’s still soothing, while earthy tones like beige and cream won’t restrict furniture or accessory choices.

Don’t – choose vivid colours. Bright colours are distracting, potentially elevating your stress levels at a time of already heightened exhaustion and anxiety.

Do – buy drawer dividers. You’ll need a lot of small items, and dividers make it easy to find things quickly and without stress, adjusting them as and when needed to optimise space.

Nurseries often evolve over time, as friends and relatives buy gifts and you identify the absence of potentially beneficial equipment. However, preparing and organising a new nursery before it’s pressed into use can make family life significantly less stressful…

Back to Latest Posts