Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How To Create A Cosy Nursery
Designing a nursery is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your baby’s arrival - it’s that special space where your little one will sleep, play, and grow, so of course, you want it to feel calm, cozy, and comforting. But the thing is that creating the perfect nursery isn’t just about making it look good, and it’s easy to forget that in all the excitement. The fact is, you’ll also want to design a space that’s practical, safe, and totally soothing for your baby and you and your partner.
If you’re wondering how to strike the right balance between style and function, don’t worry - we’ve got a helpful guide to put you on the right track. With that in mind, here’s how to create a cozy nursery you and your baby will love right from the start - read on to find out more.
A neutral baby room
Start With A Soft, Soothing Colour Palette
A nursery really needs to feel like a little sanctuary, so choosing the right colors is crucial to ensure that actually happens. You’ll want to look for colors like soft, neutral tones including warm whites, gentle greys, and muted pastels because they all create a peaceful feeling in any room. And yes, bright colors are fun and they might be what you automatically think is going to work best, but remember that too much stimulation can be overwhelming, especially for newborns, and it might actually make things harder for everyone.
Take a look at my 1-minute cute pastel baby blanket teddy bear tutorial below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden! It makes a cute way to gift a washcloth set or blanket to parents to be!
If you love color but also want to keep things relaxing, you can have an accent wall with some subtle wallpaper, for example, or even a gorgeous mural - perhaps one you have commissioned or even one you paint yourself. In that way, you can add some great hints of personality to the room without making it feel too busy and causing sleep problems on top of the sleep issues babies normally have.
A round baby bed is a stylish choice
Choose Comfortable, Breathable Bedding
Your baby is going to spend a lot of time sleeping in their crib, so bedding actually matters more than you might think. It’s best to invest in breathable, natural fabrics to help keep your little one comfortable, and they’ll generally last longer too (remember that you’re going to be washing this bedding a lot because there are going to be plenty of accidents, not to mention the fact that you’ll want to keep things hygienic anyway, so long-lasting items are the best option).
Investing in organic fitted mini crib sheets is a great way to ensure your baby’s skin is protected from harsh chemicals that you might find in other types of bedding on the market. Not only are these soft and gentle, but they also add an extra touch of coziness to the crib. Plus, since you’ll be changing them often, it’s worth getting a few in neutral, timeless colors that match the rest of the nursery.
A soft lighted wall light
Keep The Lighting Soft And Adjustable
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the right mood in any room, and your baby’s nursery is no different. Harsh overhead lights are a really bad idea, especially as very young babies can’t turn themselves over, so if it’s too bright, they’ll just have to cry about it - not great when everyone needs to get some sleep. So instead, opt for soft, warm, dimmable lighting that helps make the room much more relaxing, and much more comfortable for anyone in there - whatever their age.
A soft-glow night light or a dimmable lamp (ideal if you’ve got a nursing chair in the room, as it can go next to that for those middle of the night feeds) can make the room feel so lovely to be in, and if you want to give the place an extra touch of comfort, what about draping some fairy lights around the room or across bookshelves? Just make sure you don’t put them on or around the crib for safety reasons, of course.
A cozy reading nook for a kids room
Make It Practical
So you’ll want a room that looks beautiful and where it’s nice and relaxing for everyone to be in, but you can make the nursery as perfect as possible, and if it’s not actually functional, you’re still not going to want to use it - and it’s just going to get frustrating, very quickly indeed. That’s why you need to think about how to set up the space in a way that makes life easier as well as beautiful.
One good idea is to keep a well-stocked changing station close to the crib with nappies, wipes, and creams (as well as a spare change of clothes or two) close to hand - within arm’s reach, in other words. And make sure you’ve got plenty of storage baskets to keep blankets, toys, and essentials organized (and you’re going to have a lot of stuff around because it adds up fast when you’ve got a baby!).
A modern nursery design like this will grow up with baby
Add Textures
A cozy nursery might be about what you see most of all, but it’s also got to be about how it feels - literally. So incorporating soft, touchable textures around the room is a great thing to do, as it’ll instantly make it feel warmer and, crucially, more inviting.
You can put a plush rug on the floor, for example, and not only is that a good look for the room, but it’ll be nice to walk on, especially when it’s chilly during the night, and when your little one starts crawling, you’ll know they’ve got a comfortable floor to do it on. Other ideas include adding a knitted throw over your nursing chair and placing a few cushions or a footstool to create a reading nook, which could also lead to good reading habits as your child gets older. They might only be small details, but they add a lot of depth and they’ll make the room feel extra snuggly.
Animals make for great nursery wall art
Add Some Nature
Bringing elements of nature into your baby’s nursery might not be something you thought of initially, and you might not be sure about doing it, but the fact is that this kind of decor can make a room instantly a lot more calm and tranquil, and although it might seem unusual at first, once you see how good it looks and how great it makes you feel, you’ll be glad you tried it.
And yes, we’re talking about putting a few potted plants into the nursery. Of course, you’ll need to put them where your baby can’t reach them, but they’re great because they help to purify the air and they’ll make the room feel really fresh - plus they’ll bring in a splash of color, not to mention be interesting for your baby to look at (from a safe distance).
If you don’t have a green thumb, you could try nature-inspired decor instead - botanical prints, wooden furniture, a plant or a leaf-patterned rug and curtains… there are plenty of things you can add that can help.
A pink and gold nursery
Use Blackout Curtains
Nothing ruins a nap like bright sunlight streaming through the window, and when a nap is ruined, everyone gets grumpy about it. That’s why you should install blackout curtains because they’ll help to create a dark, cozy sleep environment that’s going to lead to better naps for baby and more downtime for you.
You can choose a fabric that works with the rest of the decor but still works to block out all the light, so your design won’t be ruined by some practical thinking. Or what about having a double layer of curtains? That should do the same job, with the bonus of keeping things warm because they’re extra insulation.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.