In the wake of the joyful news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby just five months after their marriage, the experts at Naturalmat share seven tips you need to design yourself a nursery fit for your little prince or princess
The process of designing a nursery is important, yet can be overwhelming. The colours and furniture you choose can make a difference to your baby’s alertness and sensitivity. It is key to know what is available and what you need to create the perfect happy place for your little one.
The cot
The cot is the focal point and where your baby will be resting each night (ensure that you have your baby in your own bedroom with you for the first six months), so ensure you take your time and choose wisely. Avoid cots that are a safety risk for infants. Your cot is an investment piece, so it’s suggested that you buy one that has at least two mattress heights, making it easy to lay a sleeping baby down when its at its highest position without hurting your back or even worse waking up the baby! Placing teething strips along the sides of the cot will help protect both the wood and your baby’s gums when he or she is teething.
The Kidsmill Fyn Cot is a beautiful, contemporary cot in white with wooden legs – perfect for a neutral look and easy to access when putting your child down for the night.
Textiles before paint
Ah, that old problem – you fall in love with the perfect bedding for the nursery of your dreams, only to discover that the colour clashes with the paint you’ve already had put on the walls. It’s best to choose your textiles first and then have your paint colour coordinated to match, using the amazing technology available at paint stores.
Alternatively, take a piece of your bedding along to a paint and wallpaper specialist and match the colours with complementary paint shades with expert advice from brands like Farrow and Ball and Little Green – don’t forget to step outside with the swatches to see how the colour might change in daylight too. You can even have wallpaper bespoke printed for the nyrsery! When painting your walls, make sure to paint a large test area in the room as opposed to small swatches, as this can save you from living with a color you don’t love.
Decorate your ceiling
As babies spend much of their time on their backs, it is important to give them something to be transfixed by. Consider expanding the nursery theme with a variety of shapes, colours and animals on your ceiling. As their eyes continue to develop, they will be able to see considerably more each day, allowing them to discover new things all the time. By choosing bright colours with powerful contrasts, it will help with brain and vision development. Black and white or black and yellow are the most visible and attractive to babies when they are tiny. Large, simple shapes such as stars will increase your baby’s familiarity with the shapes around them and encourage their memory development.
Create a sanitation station
Of course, the Royals will be keeping their nursery germ-free and you can too by having sanitation supplies ready to go. On your changing table you need to set up a tray equipped with antibacterial gel and tissues to prevent contamination of surfaces. Everyday you need to give the hotspot areas a good clean with anti-bacterial gel. To reduce all risk of uncleanliness, you should have a nappy disposal system or at least a separate hamper that is emptied regularly.
Pick the perfect color for the room
When it comes to choosing your paint palette, it is important to take pointers from the existing space you are working with. Even if you like rich colours, dark hues can be too overwhelming for a small room, whereas light colours make a room appear bigger and brighter. You can also add a bold accent wall, to add depth and make the space appear larger. If you want to create a look that lasts, consider using neutral or pastel shades that can create a background for a more mature decor as your child grows.
Go green!
You can design an eco-friendly nursery that is not only good for the planet but for your baby too! The products that we all use daily are full of deadly chemicals (known as VOCs) that comprise air quality as they evaporate and in the worst-case scenario can make your baby sick. A good way to begin is to purchase as many organic items as possible. If your child suffers from allergies or asthma you need to choose naturally hypoallergenic, organic bedding and even an organic mattress. The materials used at NaturalMat are 100% natural and from sustainable Fair-Trade sources.
The Quilted Coco Mat is made with organic materials that are naturally breathable, helping to regulate air flow and body temperature whilst being hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.
Dim the lights
It is always vital to install a dimmer on any overhead lighting fixtures, especially if it hangs directly over the crib; this way the light won’t be intense during late-night stories and early hour feeds. It’s always handy to purchase a small night light or lamp for a cosy atmosphere, as soft lighting can reduce the contrast between light and dark, prevents over-stimulation and gives your baby’s undeveloped eyes a much-needed rest.