Use Your Nursery to Express Your Unique Style
These days, just because you're having a baby doesn't mean you have to trade in your sense of style for duckies and bunnies. As you choose color themes, furniture, crib bedding, art and accessories for your new nursery and select the best baby stroller and gear for outings, don't think this is the time to compromise your aesthetic. Consider this momentous milestone as yet another opportunity to express your personal taste. Designers of nursery décor and baby accessories are hip to the trend of designer babies
that is, babies with style!
Many expecting parents are turned off by the idea of a baby blue or pink room. Although they know what they don't want, they are lost regarding what they do want. For those of you who are taking on this task, here are a few pointers. Ultimately, anything goes but these few guidelines that will keep you from being overwhelmed, keep you on track, and allow you to enjoy the process.
Themes
In the late 90's, nurseries were all about the "theme." It was common to receive an invitation to a baby shower that specifically stated, "Her theme is 'Bugs' " or 'trains' or 'sports.' Since then, the trend has shifted away from traditional juvenile imagery to more neutral, time-tested motifs. A "theme" for a nursery today would be akin to one in any other room in your home
English Colonial, French Country, Modern
. If you are in need of inspiration, browse the internet or magazines for ideas and set aside the ones you love
but don't limit yourself to pictures of nurseries alone.
Something personal and meaningful makes a good subject like Rosemaling folk art to reflect your family's Norwegian heritage, or a favorite book or toy from your own childhood, or a color theme or pattern from bedding that you love
like the Chocolate and Ice Blue stripes of Bebe Chic's Chocolate Twist. Or, maybe it's a snapshot from your honeymoon in Tuscany. Any of these ideas can be the foundation for a sweet baby room design.
Simplicity
Keep it simple. The most beautiful, HGTV-worthy baby rooms don't actually have babies in them! Resist the urge to fill it with knick knacks because once its actual occupant arrives, you will not believe how much shelf, counter, and floor space will be taken up with mundane items like diapers, wipes, ointments and jellies, burp cloths, and dirty laundry. I hate to break it to you now, as you live in the yet theoretical land where the blanket hangs just so on the crib rail but having a baby really does a 180 on your life, both physically and mentally. So no matter how much you prepare or how organized you are, there will be many days when your perfectly designed nursery is a complete disaster! The less stuff there is to manage, the easier it will be to maintain and the more storage you have, the better.
One way to add texture to a room without adding clutter is to use the walls in creative ways. Of course, great art can add visual interest. When hanging pieces, make sure they are beyond your little ones' reach in the crib and on the changing table, and not just while you have a newborn but as she grows into a toddler. This was one mistake I made with my daughter, who could not resist the temptation of knocking the frame with her tiny foot every time I changed her diaper! The next time around, I opted for painting a simple tonal mural directly on the wall to forego anything that could actually come crashing down on their heads.
Yes, paint is a designer's friend! Similar to other rooms in a house, there has been a trend of tone-on-tone striping in widths of 8-12 inches all around the room. Another way to use paint creatively is by picking two complimentary shades and dividing the room horizontally with a chair rail. This rail can be placed either at the standard 34" height or two-thirds up on the wall.
Safety
Again, remember that "baby" will not be a baby for long. They quickly become grabbing, kicking, poking, stumbling machines. As you decorate, remember the baby-proofing. Latch bookshelves and nightstands to the wall, if necessary. Cover power outlets and power strips. Install window rails and corner guards. Look around to see if there are things that might inspire your future rugrat to climb or reach in ways that may qualify him for the Guinness Book of World Records.
Babies spend 18 hours a day in their rooms. You'll be spending a lot of time in there too. Make sure it is not only visually pleasing, but comfortable for everyone in the family!
About the Author
Ria Sharon is a designer, mom and business owner. She is the editor of a stroller review site that provides parents with helpful advice when selecting baby strollers from among top brands like Jeep, Maclaren, Bugaboo, and Peg Perego. She lives in St. Louis with her two kids and five strollers. 
